During the early part of the 20th Century, printed circuit board design was simple and uncomplicated. Workers soldered wires to pieces of wood to make the technology of the day function more efficiently. In the 21st Century, PCBA (printed circuit board assemblies) are complex, smart, and versatile. In fact, the future looks bright and here is why.
Less Weight
PCB assemblies are lighter and lighter these days. In fact, some boards are as light as photocopy paper. Modern PCBA technology can produce substrates less than 80 gsm (grams per square meter) in weight.
Why are lighter circuits important? As electronic devices continue to shrink in size, weight becomes important for printed circuit board design. For example, lighter mobile phones are more popular because people carry them around all day. Millions of people leave for work each day with laptop or tablet computers in hand, and they want something which is light and easy to carry.
Cost
Not only is new material for PCBA technology lighter, but the costs are also dropping. In fact, the more circuits produced, the lower the costs become. Because PCBs are cost-effective, manufacturers can price their goods competitively. When prices drop on electronic equipment, more people benefit.
Flexibility
The future of printed circuit board design is flexible. When you have a flexible circuit, a new world of opportunity exists. In the future, flexible skin with built-in circuits will connect the nervous system to the brain and make artificial limbs fully functional. Patient monitoring systems vastly improve when the patient can wear them as part of the body.
With flexible and advanced circuitry, science fiction is slowly turning into reality. Days when “cybernetic” type devices link body, brains, and mind, to machines, are not that far off. This may revolutionize healthcare and extend life expectancy for everyone.
