PCB’s aren’t as uncommon as you think. The technically challenged won’t recognize their widespread use in the home but it’s a well known fact that printed circuit boards are fully functional in the house. The Taiwanese are largely responsible for their return and subsequent resurgence. It’s reported that China’s PCB production value was US$25.46 billion last year (2011) and they are on pace to go above that number for 2012. Fortunately, for those of us who eat, sleep and breathe this industry, that means jobs, work, and increased earnings.
From the appliances you use in the kitchen to the digital controls used to operate multi functioning audio/video equipment you’ll find a printed circuit board behind the helm. This site even ran a story last year about PCB’s infiltration into blenders. I bet the makers of Fritzing had a lot to do with that. If you were to strip down the outer layer of all of the energy using equipment in your household you would find many high functioning circuit boards with sophisticated controls putting out commands. Those who dream of PCB etching as a hobby would probably have a field day in a home like that.
Significant changes are in store for the at home PBC’s used in appliances. New surfacing, miniaturization, and the growth of the use of expoxy resin are just a few of the changes set to come to an industry that is said to grow twenty five percent within the next two or three years. That means better efficiency and speed for things like the regular remote control. I wish I could fast forward in time to see just how well these new technologies are catching on and performing. I can’t wait till we can boast of halogen free panel areas from which to expand. Next generation polyimide labels will be shipping by the hundred thousands.
To the untrained eye, PCB’s don’t even exist. To the rest of us they are a major artery that keeps a household pumping energy and operating the things we take for granted on a daily basis. As costs come down for the raw materials needed to create these devices and the need for better boards as a whole increases the industry is poised for some serious growth. Every major prediction from the trade show industry has proved pretty close to exact and it doesn’t appear this time will be an exception. Keep a close eye on the trigger points and the rest will set itself into motion.