Printed circuit boards

Printed circuit boards (PCB) are essential components to almost all electronic devices. They consist of thin wafers or substrates on which electronic components, such as microchips, are placed. The electronic components are electrically connected through conductive tracks and pads.

electronic circuit boards
bare printed circuit board
PCBs
PCB
bare PCB
assembled printed circuit board
assembled PCB
circuit boards

knowledge

cross-sector

Printed circuit boards is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Marine electronics technician: Marine electronics technicians lay out, install and repair electronic systems and equipment in vessels. They assemble electronic components and wiring according to blueprints and assembly drawings.
Printed circuit board test technician: Printed circuit board test technicians inspect and test printed circuit boards. They perform a range of printed circuit board testing procedures and may perform minor repairs.
Electronics engineering technician: Electronics engineering technicians work closely with electronics engineers in the development of electronic equipment and devices. Electronics engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, and maintaining electronic devices.
Wave soldering machine operator: Wave soldering machine operators set up and operate machines to solder electronic components to the printed circuit board. They read blueprints and layout designs.
Automated optical inspection operator: Automated optical inspection operators (AOI operators) operate automated optical inspection machines to inspect assembled printed circuit boards. They read blueprints and inspect the finished or in-process PCB assemblies for flaws or defects.
Surface-mount technology machine operator: Surface-mount technology machine operators use surface-mount technology (SMT) machines to mount and solder small electronic components onto printed circuit boards to create surface-mounted devices (SMD).
Electronic equipment assembler: Electronic equipment assemblers are responsible for the assembly of electronic equipment and systems. They assemble electronic components and wiring according to blueprints and assembly drawings. They may assist in quality inspection and equipment maintenance.
Printed circuit board designer: Printed circuit board designers diagram and design the construction of circuit boards. They envision the logical placing of conductive tracks, coppers, and pin pads in the board. They use computer programmes and specialised software for the designs.
Computer hardware engineer: Computer hardware engineers design and develop computer hardware systems and components, such as circuit boards, modems, and printers. They draught blueprints and assembly drawings, develop and test the prototypes, and supervise the production process.
Electronics drafter: Electronics drafters support electronic engineers in the design and conceptualisation of electronic equipment. They draft blueprints and assembly diagrams of electronic systems and components using technical drawing software.
Printed circuit board assembler: Printed circuit board assemblers read blueprints and drawings to assemble printed circuit boards. They use hand- and automated soldering tools and machines to connect electronic components to the board.

Printed circuit boards is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Photonics engineering technician: Photonics engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of photonic systems or components, usually in the form of optical equipment, such as lasers, lenses, and fibre optic equipment. Photonics engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optical equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.
Electrical engineer: Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, electrical equipment, components, motors, and equipment with the feature of energy transmission. They engage in large scale projects such as the design and maintenance of power stations, and the distribution of power to smaller applications such as household appliances.
Drafter: Drafters prepare and create technical drawings using a special software or manual techniques, to show how something is built or works.
Optoelectronic engineering technician: Optoelectronic engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of optoelectronic systems and components, such as photodiodes, optical sensors, lasers and LED’s. Optoelectronic engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optoelectronic equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.

References

1. Printed circuit boards – ESCO