Printed circuit boards are used in many important sectors in the 21st century and have become vital in our day-to-day life.
At the heart of every PCB lies the expertise of a PCB engineer, who is responsible for designing, developing and manufacturing the product to meet evolving market needs.
Printed circuit boards are used in just about every electronic device today including televisions, radios, computers, microwave ovens and mobile phones. They’re present in your electric cooker, controlling components such as thermostats, cooling fans and the elements to ensure a constant cooking temperature.
Printers, calculators, vending machines, LED lighting, GPS technology and satellite systems all rely on PCBs.
PCB use in industry
Many different sectors couldn’t function without PCBs, as we wouldn’t have automotive electronics for airbags, anti-lock brakes, fuel regulators, engine management and car entertainment systems.
Necessary for aircraft sensors to gauge altitude, air speed, temperature and more, they’re also used in the maritime sector for navigation, communication and control systems.
Military and defence applications require PCBs for many applications including firearms, computers, communications equipment, vehicles and more.
PCBs are also crucial in multiple different industrial sectors, such as for the electric presses and drills commonly used in manufacturing equipment.
Quite simply, printed circuit boards are the foundations and building blocks of most electronic devices and are crucial for modern life to function in the way we understand and expect.
What do PCB engineers do?
The PCB design engineer is in charge of designing and developing printed circuit boards, including creating the highly advanced layouts using computer software programs. They generally wear many hats and must be extremely knowledgeable to ensure the success of the product throughout the design and production processes.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) software experts, they prepare documents for the PCB assembly and design the layout to ensure the circuits are reliable and high-speed. Responsible for the routing design, they must ensure the board is fully functional by carrying out tests before it goes into production.
Their expertise in PCB designs helps to reduce the costs of new product development in terms of specifications, overall practices and time-to-market requirements. Often used in key roles, they might oversee research and development departments, create prototypes and fine-tune new products for the market.
Standard daily routine
From design to finished product, the PCB engineer must be able to create a product to fulfil a client or company’s strategic goals, bringing together the multiple components of PCB design.
As well as designing and creating the boards, a typical day can include liaising with the various departments, such as manufacturing, sales and marketing. They are also expected to collaborate with supply chain vendors in a consulting role to ensure the whole process runs smoothly.
They need to assess everything from the current competitive landscape and market demands to the availability of materials and costs. Far more than being a designer, they are the key to the success of the whole project.
They must also analyse and resolve any design-related issues and provide ongoing support to the PCB engineering teams, dealing with any revisions required to meet client specifications, and assisting the teams in preparation of test procedures to ensure the PCBs’ functions are working correctly.
Qualities of a PCB engineer
A PCB designer must be skilled in everything related to electronics, as first and foremost, they are creating a component that is vital to the functionality of many different types of equipment.
As they continually face challenges in the ever-changing field of technology, they must keep pace with trends such as devices and PCBs becoming smaller, while maintaining maximum efficiency.
Sellectronics
The development of new machinery means engineers are constantly challenged with keeping abreast of the latest technology. They must continually push boundaries, as the evolution of the electronics industry continues to grow.
Here at Sellectronics, we have top-quality machinery at our disposal to offer clients professional services such as PCB prototyping, PCB assembly and full product build.
Our skilled PCB engineers can make your electronics project come to life, thanks to our precise and efficient PCB assembly services, which are increasingly important to satisfy the demands of the booming UK electronics manufacturing industry.
Sellectronics provides the core pillars to make your electronics project a success. Our mission is to be your trusted partner, delivering excellence and value.
Our vision of a sustainable growth business is made possible thanks to our company values. We’re a business built on innovation, investment in new technology and long-term partnerships, creating the highest quality products delivered on time and to the highest spec.
We’re assembling your future and value your reputation as much as we do our own.