Electronics plays an important role in our daily lives. From smartphones to kitchen appliances, each electronics is based on a printed circuit board (PCB). This is the basis of most electronic products today. These components have a wide range of configurations, which allows them to perform various functions. As electronics expands and develops across all industries, PCB applications also continue to grow. Today, the use of printed circuit boards covers almost all industries and continues to develop in new industries and applications. Printed circuit boards are the main functional centers of most electronics in the modern world. PCB design connects components to each other through a series of interconnected circuits.
Most people recognize printed circuit boards when they see them. You will find these little green chips in the hearts of electronics. Printed circuit boards have an unlimited number of configurations and are made of various materials. This flexibility allows printed circuit boards to function in a variety of capabilities and applications. We examined several of these applications in more detail below.
Medical equipment
Electronics makes a significant contribution to the healthcare industry, acting as a diagnostic, monitoring and treatment equipment. The medical use of these electronic devices continues to grow as electronics evolves to become more efficient and dense, leading to endless new possibilities.
These medical devices are based on PCBs. Printed circuit boards in the medical industry are highly specialized to meet the unique limitations of medical devices. Many medical applications require small packaging to meet the size requirements of the implant or emergency monitor. For this reason, medical circuits packs are typically specialized high density interconnect circuit packs, also called HDI circuit packs. Medical printed circuit boards can also be made of flexible base materials, which allow the printed circuit board to bend during use, which can be important for both internal and external medical devices.
Due to the health effects associated with them, medical PCB Manufacturing are of a higher standard than most other types of PCBs. Repeatability and reliability are two important qualities that medical PCB suppliers must achieve in addition to complying with strict medical standards.
PCB medical applications are growing as fast as the medical equipment industry itself. Some of the most common medical applications for printed circuit boards include the following:
- Monitors: Personal and medical monitors, including blood glucose monitors, heart rate and blood pressure monitors, and much more.
- Scanning technology: CT scanners and ultrasound technologies often use PCB-based electronics.
- Control systems: Equipment that controls fluid infusion, flow rate, and distribution are electronically controlled.
- Internal devices: Pacemakers and similar internal medical devices support the health of patients managed by tiny PCBs at their centers.
- Scientific tools: Medical research uses numerous scientific tools to study diseases and verify patient outcomes. These are, in particular, electron microscopes, photometers and control systems for generators and compressors.
Consumer electronics
Consumer electronics are devices that we use every day, such as smartphones or computers. Even the newest models of refrigerators often include electronic components. Each of these devices has a circuit board.
Due to the large volume of production of this consumer electronics, the number of printed circuit boards produced to control them must be the same in quantity. These high volume printed circuit boards have a low unit price, which makes the price of the final product relatively small. The challenge is to maintain the uniformity and quality of these printed circuit boards, so PCB manufacturers must adhere to strict industry standards and quality control measures to ensure that every consumer of electronics is functioning as expected.
The use of printed circuit boards in consumer electronics is extensive. The following are just some of the most common uses of printed circuit boards in consumer electronics:
- Mobile devices. Smartphones and tablets are at the center of our daily lives, functioning like everything from our alarms to our GPS.
- Computer electronics. Desktop computers and laptops contain circuit boards, as well as screens and related peripherals.
- Recording devices: camcorders, digital cameras, microphones, and other recording devices require their internal printed circuit boards to operate.
- Entertainment systems: everything in the home entertainment system: from a DVD player and game console to a TV and stereo.
- Household appliances: Almost every modern device uses electronic components: alarms, microwave ovens, fridge, coffee makers, etc.
