For any type of electronic gadget or component, printed circuit boards act as an integral part on many levels. Our lives are a combination of healthy living and efficient electronic gadgets, that too, to such an extent that our very survival depends on the integration and use of these gadgets. The ever growing world of electronic devices has crept into all other fields, sectors and industries, and is now in shared co-existence with our very reality itself. The biggest example of this shared existence can be seen in the world of modern medical science, military, automobile, and aero space technology. These industries are practically supported and run by the electronic sector to bring about changes in the technology used and invented.

Our world is an epitome of electronic gadgets and devices which we use on a daily basis, and almost 95% of these devices are run by a printed circuit board, better known as a PCB. So what is PCB all about? PCB is usually a substrate sheet of a non conducting variety, with etched copper tracks, that converge at various nodes and junctions all over the board. The main function that a PCB performs is to connect to a variety of electronic components via the conducting paths etched on the board in a criss cross form. Another ancillary function of a PCB is to provide physical support to all electronic components in an electronic device.

There are mainly two types of PCBs. The first type is the through-hole PCB, which has a number of tiny holes punched on it, on each and every node. These holes are used for soldering component leads, which go through these holes. This technology has been around for quite a while now, and is used mainly for inexpensive electronic devices like calculators. These boards are also used to support bulky electronic components like high rating capacitors and transformers.

The second type of PCB used nowadays is the onboard SMD variant, also known as the surface mounted device variant. This type does not have any holes, but conducting beds, which are perfect for soldering SMD components. The soldering needs to be done with special specified equipment only. The mechanical strength of these PCBs are quite high, and both the surfaces are good for soldering components.

The high quality and precision of PCBs or printed circuit boards is extremely crucial, especially to allow the finished product to retain the high quality level as well. For this very reason, the design and creation of PCBs should be left to the experts, who have the capability to research more and more and find out new ways to develop PCBs much more efficiently and with a higher rate of accuracy. Many electronic companies make it a point to outsource all their PCB requirements to ensure that the quality is maintained.

There are many outsourced PCB design services that offer the finest printed circuit boards for major electronic companies to use. Bulk PCBs can be ordered from these outsourced companies at tremendously reduced costs, which is a good thing for any company. Do follow http://www.altium.com/ for more details.