PCBs for the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry is in the midst of a transformative revolution, presenting both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. These challenges encompass the imperative to reduce emissions, the development of self-driving electric cars and trucks, and the establishment of robust charging infrastructure.
In our commitment to driving innovation in the automotive sector, below is a selection of applications featuring advanced PCBs. These applications are designed to address the evolving needs of the industry and play a crucial role in shaping the future of automotive technology and sustainability.
- Electrical Vehicle Charging: PCBs for high power delivery with precise control. Demands for this application is a reliable function, large copper cross sections and thermal management.
- Electrical Vehicle Propulsion: PCBs for motor control, battery management, high power distribution, motion control and cooling systems. Demands for this application is a reliable function, large copper cross sections and thermal management and ISO/IATF16949, PPAP quality assurance system.
- Heavy Traffic Driving Support Systems: PCBs for instrument/dashboard clusters, on board video, navigation, communication and cargo cooling systems. Demands are typically ISO/IATF16949, PPAP quality assurance system.
- HDI | Multi-Layer | Flex
- Heavy Traffic Fossil-Free Propulsion: PCBs for vehicles with fuel cell and battery propulsion control system. Demands are rugged environment and long lifespan, ISO/IATF16949, PPAP quality assurance system.
- Interior Electronics: PCBs for navigation system, instrument/dashboard clusters and interior lightning. Demands are typically ISO/IATF16949, PPAP quality assurance system.
- HDI | Multi-Layer | Flex | Rigid-Flex
MCL is ISO 9001:2015 certified. We partner with ISO/IATF16949 and PPAP quality assurance system compliant manufacturers specializing in automotive applications, to ensure your boards are certified for quality and reliability.
Automotive Industry Printed Circuit Boards
These PCBs have revolutionized the way we drive and use our vehicles, from engine controls and airbag sensors to anti-lock brake management and even GPS support. Almost every modern convenience in the car in your driveway or the fleet in your business’ yard relies on automotive PCBs.
And as we add more heads-up displays, windshield overlays, in-cab navigation systems and other electronics to help us drive or relax as we drive, the demand for reliable PCBs that don’t interfere with other systems is going to continue to rise.
Automotive printed circuit boards from MCL are engineered specifically to support each individual application and work in the real-world environments they will experience, whether they’re in the dashboard, under the hood or in areas of significant motion.
That’s why, as a privately owned and ISO-9001 certified company, we engineer precision solutions custom tailored to your application.
Why They Are Used
The popularity of printed circuit boards for vehicles can be attributed not only to its functionality, but also because of its many other benefits. This is a welcomed innovation in vehicle manufacturing as it has extensive applications. Other alternatives will not be able to take over its functions, or will at least not suffice in terms of their quality.
It’s important that your PCB manufacturer is capable of producing very small circuit boards as most vehicle types that use printed circuit boards only allow a limited amount of space for electronic control devices. Don’t let the small size fool you. Circuit boards can be programmed to perform system essential commands no matter how big, or small, they are. Almost everything you see in your vehicle that is digitally displayed is most likely controlled by a circuit board. Another reason the automobile industry has adopted the use of PCBs in vehicles is because they are very easy to repair. Once a PCB has been created, it’s easy to reproduce for a quick repair.
Creating Your Next Automotive PCB
When you’re ready to get your next big idea to the market, MCL is here to be your preferred PCB partner. With engineering and DFM support services that focus on the automotive space, we’re here to assist you in maintaining high standards of reliability while cutting costs.
Test, modify and finalize your component development, plus make any modifications you need for added system support with our advanced prototyping methodology. You’ll put the final touches on your next automotive innovation. Using our customer-approved go-to-market approach, we’re able to speed up the process for many new modernizations in the automotive space.
Get a Free Quick Quote.
PCB Applications in Vehicles
One of the most common uses of printed circuit boards for vehicles deals with the deployment of airbags, which make it necessary in being able to prioritize safety. The circuit board is incorporated in the airbag deployment rate sensor, which is important in dissipating static electricity and triggering the air bag to deploy when needed.
Printed circuit boards can also be used in the audio and video equipment found in cars. The car’s stereo and video display devices make use of this board to connect electrical components to make sure it will function as anticipated. Printed circuit boards for vehicles can also be used for global positioning systems or GPS. Aside from such, other applications include antilock brake systems, communication equipment, power converters, engine coolant level monitors, engine timing systems, LED brake lights, power distribution junction box, remote diagnostic systems, security systems, and transmission sensors, among others.
Some of the automotive applications where PCBs are used and where our services can assist you in engineering reliable, mission-critical parts include:
- Airbag controls
- Anti-lock brake systems
- Anti-theft systems
- Audio-video systems
- Climate control
- Digital displays
- Engine-timing systems
- Ignition systems
- Power steering
- Signals and lamp controls
- Transmission sensors
- Windshield wipers
- More traditional systems like power converters and light management
Read our blog post to learn more about the uses of circuit boards in vehicles.
Getting It Right the First Time
The automotive industry has a wide range of controls and regulations your systems must adhere to if they want to make it in the next top models. This means automotive PCB companies must be able to meet your production needs while also helping you reduce costs by eliminating errors and optimizing space. MCL delivers this to our automotive partners by offering complete in-house design services and testing facilities that can lead directly to high-volume production. We’ll care for your automotive printed circuit boards and develop a plan that keeps in mind your budget constraints today and your profitability once production begins.
Work with us, and you get a partner that will adhere to all automotive industry standards and compliance requirements, whether you’re creating a single prototype or want production large enough to scale with your go-to-market plans. You’ll discover why 98% of our customers give us an “Excellent Quality” rating, and you’ll enjoy our 99% on-time, high-performance delivery rate.
Don’t put your automotive printed circuit boards in the hands of just anyone. Contact us to learn more about our expertise and get your free quote.