From the circuit diagram to the finished circuit board
The printed circuit board is the carrier of all electronic components of our keyboards. The circuit board is equipped with the electronic components and connects them with conductor tracks. So the circuit board is basically the technical implementation of a circuit diagram. It is only through this that electronic devices have a function.
In order to define the functions of a printed circuit board and thus that of the device that will be used later, a circuit diagram is first necessary. It describes the relationship between all the necessary technical circuits that are required to implement the desired functions. The conductor tracks on the board represent the connections between the electronic components as they were designed in the circuit diagram. A circuit diagram is therefore a first draft of a circuit board arrangement. Nevertheless, the connections and components on the circuit board are never arranged as they can be found on the circuit diagram, because there is simply not enough space for this. The size of the circuit board must depend on the design of the finished product, which often leaves little space for the electronics.
The entire circuit diagram must now be displayed on the small area of the circuit board. In addition, some places that will later be used to attach the circuit board must be left out. This extremely complex task is called unbundling and is carried out by experts using special software. The aim here is to make the arrangement of the components and connections as efficient as possible. I.e. to budget with the available space, to keep the tracks as short as possible and to keep crossings between the connections as small as possible, since these are solved with the help of bridges or similar means and cause additional production costs.
After the unbundling, complete production data of the circuit board are available. They are structured in levels separated by functions:
- Pattern of one or more copper layers (conductor tracks and surfaces)
- drill holes (location, depth and diameter)
- Outline and breakthroughs
- Assembly plan above and below
- Top and bottom solder mask
- Print on the top and bottom
- Adhesive dots and solder paste patterns for SMD components above and below
- Partial metallizations (for example gold plating for contact areas)
This assembly and the application of the connections can be implemented by different methods. The production techniques differ depending on the number of pieces and the requirements for the end product. The majority of printed circuit boards today are manufactured in a photochemical process by etching the conductor tracks. In addition, the serial printing process or the stamping technology and wire laying technology are often used for series production.
PCB design at Printec
When it comes to PCB design, we rely on the reliable cooperation between our partner for PCB unbundling and our own design department. The uncomplicated cooperation enables us to get to the finished design in a short time, which combines the skills of a real unbundling expert and our design experience. For the production of samples and for series production, we have several partners at our disposal, who offer us various production options according to the number of pieces and the requirements of the customers, which we can fall back on. With us as a design and production partner, you get input systems according to your wishes, with quality-oriented and profitable boards.
Related Links
Printed circuit board (Wikipedia explanation)
Placement (Wikipedia explanation)
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