Currently, PCBs are available in various types, including single-sided, double-sided, and multilayered PCBs. Some PCBs are rigid, while others are flexible. Some have a combination of both rigid and flexible parts.

As mentioned earlier, PCBs have widespread applications. In this article are six of the most common PCB applications.

Application of PCBs in Consumer Electronics

Consumer electronics account for the most significant chunk of overall PCB applications.

Consumer electronics refers to devices people use every day, including computers, smartphones, and kitchen appliances.

Because consumer electronics are available in large quantities, the PCBs used to control them must also be produced in massive quantities to meet the demand.

Companies manufacturing PCBs must comply with strict quality control measures and industry standards to maintain quality and uniformity in such a vast volume.

It ensures that the final product functions optimally.

Common Consumer Electronics That Use PCBs

The number of consumer electronics that have PCBs is massive. Below are several examples of:

Computer Electronics

All laptops and desktops have PCBs at their cores.

Screens and other peripheral devices that are associated with computers contain PCBs as well.

PCB Applications—Mobile Devices

Today, tablets and smartphones are essential parts of people’s daily routines.

These devices have a wide variety of functions, including alarm clocks and GPS.

PCB Applications—Recording Devices

Recording devices like microphones, digital cameras, and camcorders have internal PCBs that help them to work appropriately.

Home Appliances

Your microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, electric oven, and other appliances run on electronic components that use PCBs.

Entertainment Systems

Your entire entertainment system runs on PCBs, from the TV set to the video game console.

Do you know Light Applications in PCB?

Over the years, LED lighting solutions have increasingly gained popularity within many industries due to their low energy consumption, remarkable light output, and unquestionable efficiency.

By integrating LED lighting with a printed circuit board, the lighting gains more versatility.

Printed circuit boards increase the applications of LED lighting solutions, particularly when it comes to indicators and displays.

2.1 Common Applications of PCB LEDs

The Telecommunications Industry

A wide array of telecommunications equipment uses PCBs to control LED displays and indicators.

Due to the density of the material used, lightweight PCBs with high durability are preferable in this industry.

Aluminium PCBs are superior to the density of the material used.

Because of their impressive heat transfer properties.

PCB Applications — The Computer Industry

Another area where PCB applications are evident is the computer industry.

Most laptop and desktop indicators and displays feature PCB-based LEDs.

Aluminum-based PCBs are highly favored because computer technology tends to be highly heat-sensitive.

PCB Applications — The Automotive Industry

Dashboard indicators, brake lights, headlights, and other panel displays use LED screens.

PCB LEDs are preferable because of their durability and affordability.

Storefront Applications

Business signage and displays are increasingly using PCB LEDs. Most businesses use customizable screens to direct customers to their storefronts.

PCB is Also Vital in Medical Facilities

The healthcare industry uses a vast array of electronics daily, especially when it comes to diagnostic, treatment, and monitoring equipment.

As electronics become increasingly efficient, their medical applications evolve, too.

Medical electronics rely heavily on printed circuit boards. All PCBs within this industry tend to be highly specialized to accommodate the unique requirements of medical equipment.

High-density interconnect printed circuit boards (HDI PCBs) are usually preferred when it comes to medical applications.

To allow for flexing during use, PCBs in this industry may feature flexible base materials.

PCB Applications—The Need for Reliability

The medical industry is susceptible. Therefore, medical PCBs are subject to higher standards than PCBs used in most other sectors to ensure reliability and uniformity.

Common Medical Devices That Use PCBs

PCB applications in the medical field have increased over the years. The following is a list of the most frequent medical PCB applications:

Personal and healthcare monitors

Scanning Equipment

Internal Devices

Control Systems

Scientific Instrumentation, e.g., microscopes

Common Industrial Devices That Use PCBs

Manufacturing facilities and factories often rely on electronic equipment to get work done.

Therefore, high-powered applications for printed circuit boards are quite common in this sector.

Industrial installations controlled by PCBs often need to survive harsh conditions, including rough handling, vibrating machinery, and toxic chemicals.

Therefore, PCBs used in industrial electronics must be suited to these challenging conditions.

For that purpose, designers prefer thick copper printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are much more abundant than the standard ounce variants.

Thick copper PCBs effectively facilitate high-current applications as well as battery chargers.

Industrial Equipment

Most electric drills used in the manufacturing industry have PCB electronics.

Other industrial equipment with PCBs at its core includes electric presses.

Power Equipment

Solar power cogeneration devices, DC-to-AC inverters, and many other power control devices rely on PCB electronics.

Measuring Equipment

Almost all equipment used to measure and control temperature, pressure, and other variables in the manufacturing process uses printed circuit boards.

PCB a Wide Range of Aerospace Applications

Just like in the automotive industry, PCBs have a broad application in the aerospace sector.

They must be highly precise and durable.

Rockets and jets usually undergo much turbulence in their atmospheric journeys, so an ordinary PCB is no good when enduring that amount of stress.

Manufacturers use flexible PCBs instead because they’re light, small, and resistant to damage caused by vibrations.

Aerospace PCBs need to be extremely precise to avoid technical issues during use. Their optimal functioning is crucial to the safety of the crew.

PCB Applications—Common Aerospace Equipment That Uses PCBs

Monitoring Equipment

Most monitoring instrumentation used within the cockpits and engines of rockets and airplanes incorporate PCBs.

These instruments include pressure, accelerometers, torque, microphones, and force sensors.

The products help monitor the vehicle’s function and enable communication with ground control.

PCB Applications–Testing Equipment

Besides helping the aircraft function correctly, PCBs play an integral part in developing and testing these vehicles.

PCBs play a significant role in testing equipment that helps collect data, especially during the vibration, structural, or flight testing procedures.

The data collected assists in the development of more efficient and safer air vehicles.

Importance Of PCBs In Robotics

Robotics are possibly in every sector we have mentioned. Robots reduce inefficiencies where human input is unnecessary or requires fast computations.

Therefore, you will find robots in med-tech, farming, assembly, and PCB manufacturing.

Lightweight PCB substrate materials are a major factor in manufacturing robotics PCBs.

Additionally, they must do well in hot and cold environments so that machines can be deployed in any environment.

However, PCBs in robotics might need extra quality assurance checks to ensure they operate correctly to the slightest degree.

Conclusion

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are integral to a wide variety of sectors. Any industry that uses electronic devices needs PCBs.

Regardless of the application you’re using a printed circuit for; the PCB must be reliable, durable, and cost-effective. At WellPCB, we provide top-quality PCB solutions tailored to your unique needs.

Our products adhere to stringent industry standards to ensure every device performs as expected.

Would you like to learn more about our products and the industries we serve?

Contact us today or visit our website for more information.