juotoslevyt

Juotoslevyt, also known as printed circuit boards (PCBs), are the backbone of modern electronics. They provide a mechanical foundation for electronic components and electrically connect them using conductive pathways, traces, and pads etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. This substrate is typically made of fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin (FR-4), although other materials like phenolic or Teflon are used for specific applications.

The manufacturing process involves several steps. First, a design is created using specialized software, which dictates the layout of components and traces. This design is then transferred to a copper-clad laminate. Unwanted copper is chemically removed, leaving only the desired conductive traces. Holes are drilled for component leads and vias, which are connections between different layers of the PCB. Finally, a solder mask is applied to protect the copper traces and prevent solder bridges, and a silkscreen layer may be added to label components.

PCBs can range from single-sided boards with components on one side and traces on the other, to double-sided boards with connections on both sides, to complex multi-layer boards with many layers of circuitry sandwiched together. The density and complexity of PCBs have increased significantly over time, enabling the miniaturization and enhanced functionality of electronic devices. They are essential in virtually all electronic products, from simple calculators to sophisticated supercomputers.