Electronic circuits are a relatively recent development. They’ve progressed considerably over the last century, thanks to the advent of the printed circuit board, pick-and-place assembly, and a progressive shrinking of components.
Given that all of these developments defied prediction, it’s difficult to be certain about what the future holds. Nevertheless, a few possibilities suggest themselves.
The Rise of AI in PCB Design
The use of AI in designing circuit boards has been around for several years – and it’s largely shunned by designers, who understand that a manually-designed PCB is almost always better than an automatically-designed one. However, AI is getting more sophisticated, thanks to advances in machine learning. When tasks like component placement and trace routing can be passed to a machine, it might allow a human designer to take a supervising role. This functionality is already present in modern PCB design software, which leverages AI to enhance design workflows and reduce errors.
Automation Streamlining Manufacturing Processes
Automation is only just encroaching on the world of PCB design. But it’s well established in PCB manufacture. If tiny surface-mount components were to be placed by human hands, the cost of a given board would be prohibitive, and the gamut of cheap electronics that we enjoy today would be unthinkable. Through automated pick-and-place machines, production is made consistent, accurate, fast, and cheap.
Challenges of AI Adoption
AI has the potential to make PCB designs better and cheaper. But it might also throw up challenges for businesses, not least of which are the vast quantities of training data that an effective AI assistant might require. Getting the right data and keeping it secure will require specialised third-party experts. Designers might also need to navigate a learning curve when it comes to involving AI in their workflows – the optimal solution might vary from one designer to the next, and the ever-evolving nature of the technology means that ‘best practice’ might be an elusive concept.
Market Growth and Industry Trends
AI has infiltrated just about every kind of creative software, from Photoshop to Microsoft Word. Thus, it’s unsurprising that it’s found its way into PCB design software. A company that fails to adapt to this new paradigm, and to adopt the latest tools in an evolving market, might put itself at a considerable disadvantage.
Preparing for the Future of PCB Design
So, what steps might a business take in order to prepare for the coming changes? The most obvious is to invest in the software and hardware itself. But getting staff up to speed, with the help of the right training, is also imperative. It’s also worth staying informed about what’s coming next. A business that’s forward-thinking and willing to embrace new technologies early on, might be able to benefit from opportunities earlier on.