Printed circuit boards offer mechanical support for electronic components. They are held in place using conductive tracks or pads and wired, connecting them to form a complete circuit. The components are attached to a copper base held to the board by substrate layers that are non-conductors. PCBs are made differently based on their uses in applications such as the rigid or flexible PCB. Each type has distinct layers designed with high expertise to ensure they are correctly placed. We discuss the different forms of PCBs below.
Different Forms of PCBs
There are standard types of PCBs, but some companies provide customization sizes depending on your need. Whichever kind you choose, the layers are viewed using special tools like the Altium Gerber before they are ready for use. We categorize the PCBs based on the number of layers and rigidity.
1. Single-layer PCB
Also known as single-sided, it has a straightforward manufacturing process, making it the most common type. It is made of copper, silkscreen, and solder mask materials. PCBs are known for their current transmission, which is facilitated by copper material. Copper is a good conductor of electricity hence a significant part of the board. During the design process, component marking is done, and silkscreen acts as the base. The solder mask prevents the PCB from oxidizing and stays in its original condition. Since the production cost of the single-layer PCB is low, manufacturers use it to produce objects like radios in bulk.
2. Double-layer PCB
It is also referred to as a double-sided PCB, meaning it has three primary materials on either side: top and bottom. The materials are copper, solder mask, and silkscreen arranged in this order from the board outward. Wiring is done through the layers via a hole on the printed circuit board, but the electronic components are only connected to the copper layer. Some advantages of the double layer PCB are compact size and more flexibility than the single-layer PCB.
3. Multi-layer PCB
This type of PCB has more than two layers