A Tiny Chip of PCB Design History
Over a hundred years ago, a small piece of chemically-etched insulating material with copper traces set off a string of inventions and innovations. Those innovations impact every hour of our lives. This amazing little piece of electronics manufacturing technology is the ubiquitous Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
For most millennials, the word ‘technology’ means virtual reality, 5G wireless, and artificial intelligence, not Printed Circuit Boards. But without PCBs, today’s smart-tech devices would not be quite the same. PCBs were the first wireless technology! Before its invention, electricity was transmitted by wires. But the PCB transmitted energy without bulky wires, heralding an era of compact gadgets.
Perhaps its most notable contribution to science and technology, the lightweight, compact nature of the PCB made it a vital component of space travel.
PCB design has evolved over the years, propelled by a growing demand for consumer goods and devices. Consumers constantly demand faster, smarter, and more energy-efficient devices. As PCB design technology progresses, the demand from OEMs for more complex devices and advanced circuitry continues to grow.
According to a market report published by Lucintel:
“The PCB market is expected to reach an estimated $89.7 billion by 2024… The major growth drivers for this market are increasing demand for PCB in the communication industry, growth in connected devices, and advancement in automotive electronics.”
MIS Electronics leads the forefront of electronics manufacturing, prototyping, PCB design, and assembly solutions in North America.
In recent history, the industry divided down the middle when it came to quality vs quantity. Some OEMs chose to cut production costs by outsourcing PCB manufacturing to low-cost overseas destinations. The outcome of this choice meant poor-quality electronics off the shelf that created post-sale hassles. In the end, money saved in the front end was more than lost in the back end. OEMs are coming out of that tide with a new appreciation of North American-manufactured PCBs.
According to Keith Robinson from Frost & Sullivan, the general trend was to outsource low value-add, mass-produced components to other countries in a bid to keep production costs low. As reported by Source Research Inc., North American manufacturers are technology leaders when it comes to high value-add processes like integrated circuitry for military, aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial sectors. These critical industries require proximity to manufacturers in order to fulfill demands for high quality and reliability.
MIS Electronics designs, manufactures, and assembles PCBs on-shore in Canada. We fuel the region’s infrastructure growth across multiple industries like construction, agriculture, mining, and water treatment.
MIS & Innovation
Over the years, MIS has introduced some of the most innovative products in the electronics and PCB design space—products geared to make the world a safer, greener, healthier, and smarter place. Our forays into niche industry segments like aerospace, nanobiophotonics, and smart lighting systems put MIS is at the edge of PCB technology.
MIS & Smart Homes
Consider this: When you wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, that’s because the coffee maker has an electronic microcircuit that programs it to brew coffee just the way you like. When you wash your hands, touchless faucet circuitry maintains contactless hygiene and keeps your family safe from germs and viruses—the wave of a hand or the sound of your voice triggers the flow of water. Proximity sensors and intelligent controllers save water, conserve the environment, and protect health.
MIS in Healthcare
The band of wearable technology on your wrist that records every step you take on a morning run contains a PCB. Flexible and rigid-flex PCBs are next-generation advances in wearable manufacturing. From small wearable devices that promote wellness to full-body imaging, intensive care units, and ventilators, we build electronic components for life-saving medical equipment. All electronic components and PCBs are manufactured to strict medical guidelines. MIS achieved ISO 13485:2016 to support the design and manufacture of medical devices as demanded by Health Canada, FDA (2020), and other governing bodies in Europe, Australia, Japan.
MIS for Automotives
Starting your car to get to work depends on PCBs. PCBs control automotive electronics in many different ways: parking assist, blind-spot monitoring, collision alert systems, and adaptive cruise control. As the automotive industry builds in enhanced automation with radar, ultrasonic, and infrared sensors, advanced camera and vision technologies close the gap between manual and self-driving vehicles.
According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, “The ultrasonic sensor is an emerging technology with significant growth potential and its market is expected to reach a value of USD $6.90 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 11.35%, during the forecast period (2020-2025).”
MIS for Authentication & Security
At work, laptops, smartphones, and peripherals pack maximum punch in the smallest possible frame. Miniaturized PCB design continues to drive more sophisticated and complex communication devices. Advances in biometrics enable security and authentication for financial transactions. HPAuth is a technology invented and patented by MIS Electronics that combines fingerprint technology with the biometric signatures of your heartbeat and skin. Your unique heartbeat authorizes financial transactions and makes Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) easy:
Your fingerprint is everywhere. But your heartbeat is in you!
MIS for OEMs
In today’s fast-paced and demanding consumer goods market, partnering with a leading manufacturer is vital. At MIS, we work closely with OEMs, from ideation to design and assembly to testing, all under one roof, right here in Canada.
We provide flexibility to OEMs with our custom PCB design processes, delivering durable and affordable turnkey electronics manufacturing solutions.
Our focus on zero-defect manufacturing aids high-quality production at any volume. We understand the needs of OEMs and ensure on-time deliveries and faster time-to-market to minimize pricing pressures and shifts in market demand.
We engage with our clients at multiple touchpoints during the design, prototyping, and manufacturing stages, developing strong ties, and creating long-term partnerships with our customers. We’re excited to turn your vision into a growing revenue stream. Get in touch with us today and tell us a little about your project!