The most powerful, modern and easy-to-use PCB design tool for professional use.Īll printed circuit boards are built from alternating layers of conductive copper with layers of electrically insulating material. In this article, we'll look deeper at what is a PCB and some of the important points to understand when designing circuit boards. Circuit boards have to be carefully designed using specialized software packages, and the best software can help take a design from concept and all the way through manufacturing. Printed circuit boards play an important role in that they provide electrical interconnections between components, a rigid support to hold components, and a compact package that can be integrated into an end product.

After these fabrication steps are completed, the bare board is sent into PCB assembly, where components are soldered to the board and the PCBA can be tested.ĭesign of printed circuit boards has grown into its own vertical within the electronics industry. The overall structure is plated and covered with a nonconductive solder mask, and a silk screen material is printed on top of the solder mask to provide a legend for electronic components. The mechanical structure is made up of an insulating material laminated between layers of conductors. A printed circuit board must be designed with a specific set of steps that aligns with the manufacturing process, integrated circuit packaging, and the structure of the bare circuit board.Ĭonductive features on a printed circuit board include copper traces, pads, and conductive planes. Printed circuit boards provide mechanical support for electronic components so that a device can be mounted in an enclosure. What is PCB design? A printed circuit board (PCB) is an electronic assembly that uses copper conductors to create electrical connections between components.

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