PCBs are essential in virtually every electronic device, from smartphones and computers to medical equipment and industrial machinery. The production process involves several technical steps to ensure the final board functions reliably and efficiently.
The first stage of PCB production is design and layout. Engineers pcb production use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create a schematic diagram of the circuit and define the board’s layout. This includes determining the placement of components and the routing of copper traces that connect them. Once the design is complete, it is converted into a format suitable for manufacturing, usually a Gerber file.
Next comes material preparation and layering. Most PCBs are made from fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin (FR-4) with layers of copper foil. Single-layer boards have copper on one side, while multi-layer boards can have many layers stacked together for complex circuits. The layers are laminated using heat and pressure to form a solid board.
The pattern transfer stage involves printing the circuit design onto the copper surface. This is done using a photosensitive film and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The exposed areas are then developed to reveal the circuit pattern. The unwanted copper is chemically etched away, leaving behind the precise copper traces that form the circuit pathways.
After etching, drilling and plating are performed. Small holes are drilled to connect different layers of the board or to mount components. These holes are plated with copper to create electrical connections between layers. The board is then coated with a solder mask, which provides insulation and protection, leaving only the pads exposed where components will be soldered.
Next, a silkscreen layer is added to print component labels, symbols, and other markings for assembly. The final step involves surface finishing, which ensures good solderability and prevents oxidation.