PCB Layout Design in Africa
One of our core rationales for starting ADDIS PCB Design LLC is to create awareness to the bright and innovative young Africans that they can and must play their part to make Africa be part of the global Printed Circuit Board (PCB) industry. It is projected that the global PCB market size to reach $86,170 Million USD by 2026. The continent of Africa does not have any part in the projected market size of any kind other than being a consumer with a population of 1.216 Billion.
When we think of PCB, the first thing that comes to our mind is the fabrication process of the PCB. That being the core of the process, the initial development starts with the PCB layout design. Without the artwork (Gerber files) generated by the PCB layout designer, it will not be viable to manufacture the PCB. Therefore, the groundwork of the process is the PCB layout design.
PCB layout design can and should be mastered by as many African young students and should be encouraged by every institute throughout the continent. PCB layout design is a very exciting and worthwhile job that can be learned by all Electrical Engineering students and or any technical school attendees. All the major electronic design automation (EDA) tools can be made available for any university and college for free. There are a number of EDA software’s that are available these days to learn and be able to know how to design PCB layout.
Once the artwork (Gerber) is finalized, the ensuing phase of the course is the fabrication advancement. This is the step to transform the artwork into a physical shape. The fabrication part of the PCB design process is by far the one that may be a bit challenging as it is a technique that involves various steps such as
- Copper-clad lamination.
- Etching of copper from the layers.
- Putting together (laminating) by heating and pressing the etched two-sided copers to create the board stack up.
- Drilling holes and vias.
- Plating holes and via holes.
- Putting solder mask.
- Reference designator, logos, and any other identification will be printed on the silkscreen.
The fabrication part of the PCB design process can be challenging. While outsourcing is the ideal route for this part of the process, for anyone who is intending to undertake this part of the industry it is safer to start fabricating with simple two-layer boards then move towards multilayer board fabrication.