A printed circuit board (PCB) is platform used for connecting electronic components that also provides mechanical support. Once the PCB has been populated with electronic components, it is called a printed circuit assembly (PCA) or printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). A PCB requires a greater initial effort to design than wire-wrapped circuits, but is more economical for mass production. PCBs are produced in large quantities in a multistage industrial process. Instructions 1 Apply a layer of copper to the entire surface of one or both sides of the substrate to create a blank circuit board. Create a photomask with a photoplotter using a design from a software program. Use the photomask and chemical etching to remove the unwanted portions of the copper from the circuit board. This process is known as photoengraving. 2 Laminate the layers of the circuit board. Many PCBs contain multiple layers of etched boards that must be bonded together with lamination. 3 Drill small holes in the PCB to connect the layers to each other electronically using an automated drilling machine controlled by a computer program. The program will determine the precise depth, size and position of each hole. 4 Provide plating on the PCB to allow components to be soldered to the PCB. Pure copper is difficult to solder so it must be covered with materials that will facilitate the soldering process, such as gold and nickel. 5 Silk screen text to the surface of the PCB. Various types of information must be clearly visible on the PCB, such as instructions, part numbers and switch settings.
