A printed circuit board (PCB) mechanically supports and
electrically connects electronic components using conductive tracks, pads and
other features etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive
substrate. Components (e.g. capacitors, resistors or active devices) are
generally soldered on the PCB. Advanced PCBs may contain components embedded in
the substrate.
PCBs can be single sided (one copper layer), double sided
(two copper layers) or multi-layer (outer and inner layers). Conductors on
different layers are connected with vias. Multi-layer PCBs allow for much
higher component density.
FR-4 glass epoxy is the primary insulating substrate. A
basic building block of the PCB is an FR-4 panel with a thin layer of copper
foil laminated to one or both sides. In multi-layer boards multiple layers of
material are laminated together.
Printed circuit boards are used in all but the simplest
electronic products. Alternatives to PCBs include wire wrap and point-to-point
construction. PCBs require the additional design effort to lay out the circuit,
but manufacturing and assembly can be automated. Manufacturing circuits with
PCBs is cheaper and faster than with other wiring methods as components are
mounted and wired with one single part.
A minimal PCB with a single component used for easier
modeling is called a breakout board. The
making of DIY circuit boards is a complex task. First, you’ll have to plan the
PCB, make a 2D print of the layout, cut a copper plate, transfer the PCB layout
to the copper plate, iron the circuit, go through the process of etching,
cleaning, disposing… and after some hours of manual labor, you should be ready.
There must be a way to do this more efficiently, right?
Wouldn’t a 3D printer be perfect for that job? Fortunately, the first PCB 3D
printers will become available soon. Currently, these machines are able to 3d
print electronics.
1. 3D Printed Electronics in One Go: Nano Dimension
Dragonfly
The “NexD1” is a multimaterial 3D printer from a German
company called Next Dynamics. Their Kickstarter campaign wants to deliver more
than a 3D printed circuit board. Thanks to the “DigiJet” technology, the NexD1
is able of print a wide range of materials, including resins with
nano-particles or pigments. Therefore you can 3D print not only circuit boards,
but also full-color prints and flexible materials.
The NexD1 prints fully functional PCBs and places them in
any 3D configuration. According to the team, this is made possible by
galvanizing a nano-particle infused resin – a new and interesting way of
electronics manufacturing that opens up a new realm of potential in 3D
prototyping.