The late, revered pioneer Steve Jobs once remarked, “Let’s go invent tomorrow instead of worrying about what happened yesterday.” Yesterday is long past, the future is yet to come, and today is here—full of wonder, potential, and promise. What’s happening at the moment is always going to impact the inventions of tomorrow. In our modern world, technology is at the forefront of influential innovation. Technology is a distinctive art form, an expression of the human imagination. Anything is possible as we look through the windshield and move forward.
Today’s high-end electronic equipment requires high-performance and high-speed capacity to satisfy the demands of the tech-savvy global public. Essentially, the PCB world is inevitably changing. Staying up to date on the latest printed circuit board applications and technologies on the market is no easy feat. We’ve compiled a general guide on what’s happening in the current PCB landscape to create fresh capabilities of state-of-the-art electronics. Here are the top PCB manufacturing trends to know in 2021.
The Internet of Things: IoT Design Strategy
The increased and rapid spread of the Internet of Things (IoT) influences a wide array of today’s industries. PCB design and fabrication are no exception. The IoT is a growing internet-connected system of billions of worldwide devices. These physical objects—with intricate sensors and software capabilities—gather and share data in a network. IoT technologies have taken deep roots in society, striving to improve industrial services and the efficiency of applications. Their widespread integration will continue to develop and drive innovation within electronic devices.
The rising sophistication and IoT growth have changed and challenged PCB design strategy. The main purpose of IoT devices is universal computing. Meeting new product specifications and “always-on” connectivity is of the essence to keep demanding clients satisfied. Ergo, IoT PCBs must meet cybersecurity regulations and durability standards for success in the global marketplace. As this trend matures, we can expect to see and encounter more impressive PCB design tactics and cutting-edge strategies.
High-Density Interconnect: Small Device Solutions
The mainstream trend of high-density interconnect (HDI) PCB solutions ties closely to the rising IoT demands for smaller wireless products. The significant need for smaller, lightweight, or easily embeddable devices is clear for compact interconnectivity. Space is at a true premium in a plethora of modern electronics. For example, consider fitness trackers, smartphones, smart factory tools, and personal medical devices. PCB manufacturers must lean on HDI designs to meet market demands for products with faster signal transmissions and superior routing capability.
HDI’s advanced technology aids and challenges the production of contemporary PCBs. HDI PCBs make full use of high-performance and super-thin materials. Compared to traditional PCBs, HDI units also have coreless construction, miniaturized vias, and simpler stack-up. Various extensions of this interconnectivity concept—such as ALIC or ELIC—should become welcomed industry byproducts in coming years.
Higher-Power Boards: Inspired by Solar Energy
As you read through this list of the top PCB manufacturing trends to know in 2021, you can see that a continuous computing stride is higher power and performance capability. Higher-power PCBs have developed from the advancement of computer technology. Electronic devices require more and more energy for processing, and there’s nowhere else to turn for tangible power solutions.
Some of the latest higher-power boards operate at over 48V to meet current capacity requirements. These increased voltage levels are in response to the rise of sustainability and the popularity of solar energy panels and electric vehicles.
PCB engineers and manufacturers must address the common issues associated with these higher current-carrying circuits. Poor design and thermal management are a risk for product efficiency and longevity. Typical manufacturing approaches to precise power demands are 1) to increase copper traces and 2) widen board space for larger components, such as battery packs. The ultimate challenge in high-power PCB fabrication lies in staying within design specifications without increasing interference or unreliability.
COTS: Commercial-off-the-Shelf Options
Commercial-off-the-shelf components are practical options for business computing needs. As today’s workforce and workplaces change, organizations seek out a wider range of technological solutions for their needs. COTS components are traditionally ready-made software or hardware products available on the market to the general public for use. They have a streamlined for easy implementation into existing technological systems without further customization.
The use of COTS products is recently popular for critical industry-based systems, such as aerospace manufacturing. A COTS approach in PCB manufacturing means you have less prototype design to build upfront and can put a product into production as quickly as possible for business efficiency.
Flex PCBs: Flexible Board Manufacturing
Today’s electronics companies require the leading PCBs tools, data, infrastructures, and strategies for quality applications. During development, many designers have switched over from using rigid PCBs to use flexible custom-designed PCBs. Flex printed circuit boards offer greater durability and space management. These printed circuit boards are cost-effective solutions for certain industries, as they can withstand the rigors of more heavy-duty applications without failure.
Flex PCBs—and their hybrid counterpart, rigid-flex PCBs—are innovative and versatile alternatives for the future. Their applications are limitless for dynamic connectivity and resistant reliability, making them more than a mere trend. Industry predictions believe that over a third of all manufactured PCBs will be flex-designed within the current decade. Their ability to bend or fit into a designated system is key, with wearable devices and IoT electronics rising in power. Flex PCBs come with their own costs and challenges but will prove their advantages again and again.
Quick-Turn PCB Assembly in the USA
The above rooted and projected printed circuit board trends will continue to affect PCB manufacturing for the foreseeable future and beyond. Throughout changes and fresh innovations, you can turn to Advanced Assembly for quick-turn PCB assembly services. We keep close tabs on trends in the industry to meet consumer demands and fulfill expectations. Our production facility utilizes the latest technology and equipment to produce high-quality PCBs.
Whether you’re looking to create quick-turn PCB prototypes or aim for larger-scale production, Advanced Assembly has you covered with our expertise, experience, and team of specialists. We work closely with clients to ensure their boards always work perfectly out-of-the-box, no matter the array of their complexity. Contact us today to learn more about our assembly capabilities for your project. We’re here to help complete it to a T.
