PCB production trends that you must know in 2022

With modern and advanced technology in consumer electronics, the field of printed circuit boards is growing very fast.

The growth of the industry is driven by improved production strategies, the demand for smart devices, the need for energy-efficient electronics and the need for green PCB production.

Some of the great inventions include fast prototypes. This is an excellent technique used to model a physical part using 3-dimensional computer-aided design. Another great innovation that has transformed the PCB industry is CNC machining. It is a manufacturing process where pre-programmed software controls the movement of the production system.

With these and many other innovations, the PCB industry has changed for the better. Below are PCB production trends that will shape the future of electronics in 2022 and beyond.

PCB production trends that you must know in 2022

1. High-density interconnect PCBs

Printed circuit board technology has evolved from single-sided and two-sided PCBs to multilayer PCBs and flex PCBs. Now, the new trend is high-density interconnect PCBs or HDI PCBs. HDI refers to a board with higher wire density.

HDI PCBs have become one of the fastest growing technologies in the PCB field due to their numerous advantages. These new trends include space reduction, diameter reduction and line reduction. HDI enables PCB to place low layers on the board and speed up signal transmission.

The HDI PCB allows numerous components on a small board as it can be crowded on both sides of the board. Therefore, it provides smaller and lighter PCBs and reduces power consumption due to its longer battery life.

Advantages of high-density interconnect PCB

* HDI PCBs are perfect where space, weight, reliability and performance are the primary concerns.

* A mixture of buried vibes, blind vibes and micro vibs provides circuit board space requirements.

* Compared to standard PCBs, high-density interconnection PCBs provide better signal integrity.

* HDI PCBs are reliable against extreme environmental conditions.

* Affordable HDI PCBs. A standard PCB can be reduced to an HDI board without compromising quality.

Applications of HDI PCB

Healthcare – HDI PCB plays an essential role in the medical industry. They can fit into small devices such as monitoring devices, diagnostic tools and more.

Smartphones and tablets – Modern smartphones and tablets are HDI PCBs. They are responsible for making smaller and more portable electronic devices.

Automotive – Since car manufacturers prefer small PCBs to save space in cars, HDI PCBs play an important role in the automotive industry.

Wearable technology – HDI PCB has become a significant stakeholder in wearable technology. Apple Watch and many wearable devices like VR headsets are HDI PCB.

2. Flexible PCBs

The invention of the flexible PCB has changed the shape, shape, weight and design of electronics. Flexible printed circuit boards are designed to increase flexibility and for a smaller mounting design.

A flexible PCB can be bent and removed without damaging the conductor. You can find single-sided flexible PCBs, two-sided flex PCBs, multilayer flex PCBs, and rigid-flex PCBs.

They are mainly used in commercial electronics such as smart devices, printers, scanners, automotive, medical gadgets and aerospace.

Advantages of flexible PCB

* Due to their flexibility, they are used in a wide range of products across different sectors.

* They are smaller in size than the rough PCB.

* Flexible PCBs are reliable because there is less risk of cable failure

* They are suitable for harsh environment due to their good temperature range.

Flexible PCB application

Commercial Electronics – Flex PCBs have become essential as we move the market to smaller and more advanced devices. These are found in printers, smart devices, scanners and many more.

Automotive – Another area for flexible PCBs is automotive. The Flex PCB has many automated gadgets, from GPS to rearview cameras to climate control gadgets.

3. High power board

Currently the demand for higher power boards is higher. This is because most modern devices lean towards higher power. So the invention of high power board has gained popularity in various fields.

High power printed circuit board is PCB made of heavy copper. Due to the high copper content, they can handle higher rates than standard PCBs. In addition, they can withstand high temperatures for a long time.

There are several types of high-power PCBs on the market, including double-power high-power PCB, rigid-flex high-power PCB, and multilayer high-power PCB.

Advantages of high power board

* High power boards are well designed to withstand thermal fluctuations.

* Due to heavy copper, high strength board can handle high currents efficiently.

* The mechanical strength of high power PCB is better than standard PCB.

* Since they are small in size they help to reduce the size of the product.

High power board application

* Distribution of solar power

* Industrial application

* Military application

* Space industry

* Satellite

4. Biodegradable PCBs

Although electronic devices are designed to make life easier, they pose a significant environmental threat. Most devices are made with a shorter lifespan. So, after a few years of use, they need to be discarded.

According to numerous studies, PCBs contribute a lot to the release of toxins into the environment. Therefore, PCB manufacturers are designing printed circuit boards that are biodegradable. Biodegradable PCBs are made in such a way that they break down within 10 minutes when exposed to water.

Biodegradable PCBs are made from wheat gum, banana stalks or chicken feathers. Also, manufacturers are trying and testing different methods to assemble and manufacture partially biodegradable PCBs and fully biodegradable PCBs.

Conclusion

These are just some of the top PCB manufacturing trends that will shape the electronics industry in 2022 and beyond. Also, the trend will continue to develop PCB manufacturing technology.

Also, the future of the printed circuit board industry will be shaped by product minimization and performance. And being environmentally conscious and testing production costs is expected to make the future of the PCB industry easier. So in the future more small, reliable, light and eco-friendly printed circuit boards will be made.