PCB Production In Europe Becomes More Efficient
Throughout the years, PCB production has expanded its footprint in many parts of Europe. For example, in the last few years the biggest breakout product has been the "knock-off" or "fake" PCB, especially in the United Kingdom and Germany. Consumers have become increasingly frustrated with these low-cost imitations of well-known, top-of-the-line products. With the surge of online European based website design companies, a new generation of counterfeit European-made flex PCB is quickly appearing on the online world market.
The biggest threat to the global assembly of PCBs is in the shape of computer numerical controlled (CNC) technology. This assembly of PCBs (printed circuit boards) by machine is poised to take over traditional tooled assembly as we know it. The tooling itself has also reached a plateau as more components are able to be placed on the same printed circuit board.
One problem is that the best tooling techniques are expensive and time consuming. CNC technology offers a fast solution: it allows the rapid assembly of PCB's via a computer. If you are you looking for more about Fast Turn pcb fabrication review the internet site. It accomplishes this by creating a virtual PCB layout. By manipulating a variety of moving parts, this virtual PCB can be assembled. It is designed to be inserted into a PC based system like an X-Y-SCREEN scheme or via a serial protocol such as USB, parallel port or serial converter.
As new flex PCB designs are generated at a rapid pace, the cost of tooling needed to produce them remains high. In some areas of Europe, this high cost is being addressed by innovation and investment in better tooling. For example, in Germany a company has developed a new assembly line for producing high quality, economical PCB's. This new assembly line is expected to offer considerable cost savings compared with conventional methods of tooling and assembly.
There is also the question of waste. The assembly line is not enough to make sense of the complexity of the product. So too is the manual labor involved. This creates a waste stream that must also be reduced if productivity is to rise. By reducing the complexity, waste stream and labor costs can be addressed. In addition, the assembly line can become a less costly and more productive means of delivering products to store shelves.
To do this, it is necessary to ensure that the component design is robust and flexible. The design should allow manufacturers to incorporate any number of component orders. Flexibility should also ensure that there is an easy and consistent transition from one order to another. Components should be made from material that is easily available and can be stacked on top of each other without any extra support. In addition, the component should have sufficient flexibility to allow for future design improvements or modifications.
PCB production in Europe is able to offer a number of options when it comes to the design and method of manufacture. Depending on the complexity and size of the component, different methods of production may be required. For example, low volume, bulk manufacturing and even prototype production can all be done in Europe. While some parts can be manufactured in Asia, where labor is cheaper, other components are better suited for European assembly lines.
Because so much of the product resides in Europe, this nation has a rich source of skilled labor. The quality and standard of equipment used to assemble PCBs are among the highest in the world. With the right tools, materials and training, assembly and product testing can be completed in less than half a day, enabling the product to be on the shelf for the customer by the end of the business day.