About Printed Circuit Boards
A Printed circuit board is a module of electronic components that are interconnected. First invented by an Austrian engineer in the 1930s and used mainly for military applications, today printed circuit boards are found in radios, beepers, pagers, computer systems and high tech radar devices. The circuits are created by a thin layer of conductive material that is printed on the surface of an insulating board and then various electronic components are soldered to interconnecting circuits.
A flexible PCB is made on a pliable film which acts as an insulating base. The flexible circuits are used to allow for a more rapid construction of a device and they can be fitted into convoluted spaces quite easily.
Circuit boards are commonly made of plastic or glass fiber and resin. For the engineer, student or hobbyists, printed circuit boards can be ordered online from one of the many electronic/circuit board manufacturers. Boards can be customized to specification o they can choose from the designs offered by the manufacturer.
It is also possible to make circuit boards yourself if you are a person who likes to create his own electronic components. There are numerous websites that offer instruction in circuit board creation.