Printed Circuit Boards: The Innovation That Shaped The 21st Century

In today's world, most people use some type of an electronic device every day

. Whether it is a remote control to change the television channel, a computer to check email or making a phone call on a cell phone, technology has become commonplace for both young and old. What most people may not know is that these devices rely on printed circuit boards (PCBs) to correctly function.

Printed circuit boards are found in nearly all electronic devices except for the most simplistic, and they are necessary to support and provide conductive paths for electricity flow within the device. This is achieved through the use of copper wiring.

The boards began development as early as 1903 when German inventor Albert Hanson first started to experiment with the use of multi-layered insulating boards. Further innovations were made by Thomas Edison in 1904 and Arthur Berry in 1913. Forty years later in 1943, the United States began to utilize this technology on a much larger scale during World War II. Scientists and manufacturers have since continued to add to their knowledge base and discover more opportunities for the boards as can be seen in everyday life in the 21sts century.

Manufacturing PCB has become a structured process in which the commonly known green, blue, black, white or red coated boards are laminated together using epoxy resin prepreg. Various materials are commonly used in PCB manufacturing process including Teflon, cotton paper, woven glass and polyester, just to name a few.

The circuit boards are etched to remove any unnecessary copper; the remaining copper is what actually makes the finished circuit board properly function. The etching process of manufacturing PCB is very intricate. If any mistakes are made, the board will, in most cases, have to be completely re-manufactured. Therefore, it is very important to properly inspect the board prior to beginning the etching process. If the board has noticeable layout errors, missing traces or pattern discrepancies, these issues should be addressed before going forward.

It is just as important to properly clean the board prior to etching. This can safely be done using alcohol and a cotton pad and allowing proper drying time before moving on to etching.

Many do not realize that printed circuit boards contain hazardous materials, and it is vital that those involved in etching their own circuit boards understand this. If etchant does come into contact with the skin, it should immediately be washed. Furthermore, the chemicals that the etcher is exposed to during this process are highly prone to stain both the skin and clothing. Therefore, it is advised that those embarking on this process wear something that they don't mind becoming stained.

Because the hands will be exposed to certain dangerous chemicals, is important to wear protective gloves and safety glasses while manufacturing PCB. Latex gloves are ideal as they are not bulky; the work that must be done is intricate and this material allows the user to enhance detail. Etching should be performed in a well-ventilated area to reduce the damage that can be done to the respiratory system if confined within a small, enclosed working space.

Printed circuit boards are crucial for future innovations in technology. When properly manufactured, they provide people in today's high-tech society the modern conveniences they have grown to rely on. By continually working with and advancing the manufacturing process, these boards will make further advances in science and technology possible going forward.

by:Jordan McPelt

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