Written by: David Duross on October 3, 2009.
Last revised by: David Duross on November 4, 2011.

A misconception by many people is that printed circuit boards are a commodity. A commodity is defined as a good for which there is a demand, but which is supplied without qualitative differentiation across a market. The product is the same no matter who produces it. Paper is paper and copper is copper. One would think that if a printed circuit board is manufactured to the standards of the IPC then it would be considered as a commodity. If the board meets the specification requirements then it would be consistent enough from supplier to supplier to be considered a commodity. The reality is far different than the wish.

It is true that a printed circuit board is built to an industry standard. The industry standard specifies the minimum acceptable requirements for quality and performance. However, a board made by one manufacturer is not

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