PCB Application Trends & Industry Insights
By Don Kaufman, Cirexx International
Heart monitors, LED lighting, laptops, coffee makers, auto navigation systems, pressure sensors — what do they all have in common? They rely on printed circuit boards (PCBs) to properly function.
PCBs have a long history dating back to 1936 with Austrian engineer Paul Eisler who created the first circuit board, and to say they have evolved since is an understatement. Today, PCBs are used in everything from household appliances to cell phone towers, missiles, and sonar devices. But what are the latest trends, and what does the future hold for this versatile, innovative technology?
How the PCB Industry Has Changed
New printed circuit board materials, especially base materials, now offer customers higher data rates and speed signals. Laminate material makers are often introducing new materials faster than PCB fabricators, and their customers can absorb and understand the extent of their capabilities.
One of the major examples of this is lidar. Used in everything from land mapping and architecture to construction and space travel, lidar was “first used in the 1960s when laser scanners were mounted to airplanes, but only 20 years ago, [lidar] began to gain wider recognition,” according to Tech Wire.
Lidar technology uses high-speed printed circuit boards to create lasers that emit particles of light that bounce off nearby objects back to the sensor.
According to a Yahoo! Finance article, PCB industry growth “is attributed to the surging industrial automation and the growing adoption of robotics technology across the manufacturing sector. The integration of PCBs in robotic applications offers numerous advantages such as smaller equipment footprints, improved safety, enhanced quality control, and increased production. Alongside the rising miniaturization trends in robotics technology, this promises to create lucrative growth opportunities for PCB manufacturers.”
The Latest Trends in PCB Applications
One of the biggest trends is the increase and prevalence of PCB applications in the aerospace industry, which includes everything from commercial aircraft to top-secret military applications.
According to Deloitte’s 2022 aerospace and defense industry outlook, “new technologies, evolving business models, and increasing [merger and acquisition] activity will likely further accelerate the shift toward digital and operational efficiencies.” One of these new technologies is digital thread and smart factories, which is a process that digitally tracks a product’s data throughout development and utilizes that insight to continually improve on it through technology. A smart factory connects all the digital components using advanced technologies — all of which are made possible through printed circuit boards.
While the aerospace industry took a hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s on track to rebound, though perhaps not fully until 2024, according to recent insight from Forbes, which also explained “the next four to five years will see significant transformation across the supply chain, technology development and in the way we fly and transport goods by air.”
PCBs are also extremely common in a variety of military applications, including manned and unmanned vehicles, monitoring and communication equipment, power supplies, flight systems, hardware, and sensors.
It’s important to note that military and aerospace PCBs must adhere to rigorous, time-sensitive standards and acceptance criteria, which is why it’s imperative to find a PCB solutions provider with the right military certifications.
Another area that has seen an uptick in PCB applications over the years is the medical and healthcare industry. Smart watches that track your hand washing habits, hearing aids equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and powered by artificial intelligence, and 2D mammogram technology — these are just a few examples of how printed circuit boards have helped power health and wellness in recent years.
The Future of PCB Applications
While the PCB market is expected to reach a value of $120 billion by 2030, it’s hard to say exactly what the PCB industry will look like in 10 (or even five) years as new technologies are emerging every day.
Lidar will continue to increase its presence in aerospace, and the boom we’re experiencing in AI only means more high-powered printed circuit boards for everything from schools and businesses to financial institutions and hospitals. Automated technology is taking off with robots projected to possibly take over 20 million manufacturing jobs by 2030. Miniaturization is also popular, providing the ability to create even smaller, more flexible circuits.
The future is bright, especially with the rapid introduction of new materials that will further the evolution and advancement of PCB design and fabrication.
About The Author
Don Kaufman, a senior member of the Cirexx International team, has more than 33 years of technical experience in the printed circuit board industry. He possesses an extensive knowledge of integrated circuits, materials, specialty laminates, chemicals, and equipment. He also prides himself on staying up to date with the latest techniques and procedures in PCB layout and manufacturing.