Printed Circuit Boards are the backbone of modern day electronics. Open up almost any electronic device and you will see one or multiple PCBs inside. They are made by layering different materials on top of each other to create a PCB which both conducts a signal between different parts of the board as well as insulate the different signals from each other and externally. The layers typically are made up of a fiber glass base layer (FR4), a copper layer which conducts the signal, a solder mask which insulates to copper layer from each other and a silk screen layer to provide labeling and information about the board.
The PCB provides the foundation for all other electrical components to be attached, resistors, transformers, capacitors etc. that make up the circuit board used in electronic products. Advance printed circuit boards can have multiple layers the allow for a denser layout and more compact size as well as have many of the components already embedded in the board. A good PCB company is able to help you with the design and manufacturing of the the boards. The design is not a trivial task, especially with more complicated layouts. While you can design your own boards, it is highly recommended to use a trained professional.
Many industries have different requirements on the board layouts and the isolation of different signals which run through the board. This is especially true with medical devices. A PCB manufacturer which experience dealing with the regulations that are set forth by the FDA and other regulatory bodies can save you time, money and headache. If only a few boards are needed, a printed circuit board might be overkill. But if you are going many boards, the investment and time to created a PCB is well worth it in the long run.
Make sure you take the time to research a PCB supplier before you start to use them. PCB supplier reviews are a great place to start the process of narrowing down your options. Once you have a short list, make sure they fit your budget, time line and needs.
# | Company | Reviews | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
1 | AQS | 0 | |
2 | Accurate Circuit Engineering (ACE PCB) | 5 | |
3 | Advanced Circuits Inc | 12 | |
4 | Blastronix | 0 | |
5 | Cartel Electronics Inc | 13 | |
6 | Continental Automotive | 0 | |
7 | Flextronics International Ltd | 8 | |
8 | GM Nameplate Inc | 14 | |
9 | Golden West Technology | 3 | |
10 | Hunter Technology | 9 | |
11 | ISU Petasys | 0 | |
12 | Inovar | 0 | |
13 | Jameco Electronics | 31 | |
14 | Meritronics Inc | 13 | |
15 | Moog Inc | 2 | |
16 | Nexlogic Technologies | 8 | |
17 | PCB Inc | 3 | |
18 | Sierra Circuits | 0 | |
19 | Ttm Technologies Inc | 3 | |
20 | Westak Of Oregon | 13 |