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This section provides an overview for breadboards as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 breadboard manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked breadboard companies as of December, 2024: 1.LabSmith, 2.SparkFun Electronics, 3.3M.
Table of Contents
Breadboards are boards designed for easy assembly of electronic circuits. There are two types of breadboards: those that use solder and those that do not require solder.
The type widely known in the electronics industry is the solderless type, which is called a solderless breadboard. The term "breadboard" refers to a solderless breadboard, while the term "universal breadboard" refers to the type that uses solder.
By simply inserting various electronic components and jumper wires into the holes on the board, electronic circuits can be easily built without soldering. Since soldering is not required, components can be easily replaced. This type cannot be used in high-current or high-frequency circuits.
The shape is a general universal board, but the pattern is connected from the beginning like a solderless board. The universal board type is used for high current or high-frequency circuits. Patterns vary according to specifications, but wiring man-hours can be reduced.
Conductors are printed on an insulator in a horizontal and vertical arrangement. These are covered with plastic with holes. Holes are drilled into the conductors, and metal sockets are attached to the conductors with holes. Therefore, when a terminal is inserted through the hole, it sticks into the socket and conducts to the conductor. When connecting between terminals, another terminal can be inserted through another hole in the same conductor to make a connection as if the terminals were soldered together.
The hole spacing is generally 2.54 mm, which is the terminal spacing of DIP components, so that DIP components can be mounted as they are.
A universal breadboard has a copper thin film for soldering around the holes. In the universal Breadboard type, multiple holes are connected by a copper thin film. Since the terminals cannot be connected simply by sticking them in the holes, they must be soldered.
To connect between terminals, another terminal can be inserted through another hole in the copper thin film and soldered.
Breadboards come in a variety of sizes, but the overall size can be varied relatively freely because they can be joined by dovetail grooves. A dovetail groove is a groove with an inverted C-shaped cross section. The dovetail groove is made to be joined to a protrusion (convex rectangular body) that fits into the groove so that it will not come off. However, the position and size of dovetail grooves vary by manufacturer, so it is easier to use the same model number and manufacturer.
Some inferior breadboards have loose dovetail grooves and are difficult to insert and remove, so care should be taken.
The advantage of using breadboards is that they are easy to assemble, as most of them do not require soldering. They are also easy to reuse when making changes or disassembling. Conversely, demerits include the limited number of components that can be handled and the fact that they are not suitable for large circuits because they become confusing when circuits become complex.
Schematics and wiring diagrams are used when assembling circuits on Breadboard. They are like blueprints that depict the placement of circuit components and wiring. The difference between a schematic and an actual wiring diagram is as follows:
A schematic is a more specialized diagram that uses symbols to represent components and electrical connections. Symbols are standardized into several standards. By following one of the standards and expressing the symbols correctly, anyone can read them correctly and in the same way.
The actual wiring diagram is a diagram that expresses parts and wiring in more detail. Because it is drawn in the same way as the actual components and overall structure, some diagrams are more like a pictorial representation than a diagram.
Actual wiring diagrams are easier to understand and are suitable for those who are doing assembly work for the first time. On the other hand, if the circuit diagram itself has a large and complex structure, a schematic diagram is more suitable because it is complicated and difficult to understand when expressed in an actual wiring diagram. It is necessary to create a circuit diagram while considering the structure of the circuit to be assembled. (Using an editor or software for drawing schematics and actual wiring diagrams will also help reduce wiring errors, etc.)
*Including some distributors, etc.
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3M Company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. 3M provides diversified technology services globally. 3M operates through four segments: Safety and Industrial, Transportation and Electronics, Health Care, and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offerings include industrial abrasives, masking, and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles. The Transportation and Electronics segment offerings include ceramic solutions, light management films, and electronics assembly solutions. The Healthcare segment offerings include wound care, dentistry and orthodontia solutions, and filtration and purification systems. The Consumer segment offerings include consumer bandages, picture hanging, and stationery products.
Vere, Inc., established in 1987 with headquarters in the USA, is a manufacturer of instruments and accessories for optical laboratories. The company's product line includes honeycomb breadboards, photodiode amplifiers, ratiometers, laser diode drivers, and thermoelectric cooler drivers. Vere’s products are used by educational, industrial, and government institutions for research and development in optical systems. The company also provides a customization service that includes custom electro-optical design and production of instruments and accessories to meet client-specific requirements.
LabSmith, Inc., established in 1995 and based in Livermore, California, is a manufacturer of laboratory equipment for research and product development. Its product range includes microfluidics for fluid flow control, microfluidic chipShop chips, programmable high-voltage sequencers, research-grade microscopes, and precision timing and synchronization products. Its video microscopes capture elusive events in microfluidic or microbiology experiments, with triggering and timing based on real-world feedback. Its products are used around the world, from university teaching labs to global biotechnology companies.
Thorlabs, Inc, established in Newton, NJ in 1989, is a manufacturer of photonics equipment for research, manufacturing, and biomedical applications. Their product portfolio includes optical components, for use in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy applications, spectrometers and analyzers used for research and industrial applications, fiber optic components and photomultiplier tubes, and imaging devices that capture and measure light signals for diverse applications in scientific research. The company has sales offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, China, and Brazil.
SparkFun Electronics is a manufacturer of modernized and cutting-edge electronic components and tools founded in 2003 and was established in USA. The company broad selection of goods includes sensors, development boards, kits, and modules for both experts and enthusiasts. Quality is crucial at SparkFun Electronics, and they work hard to satisfy their clients. They stand out for their adherence to open-source hardware and wealth of instructional resources, which enables them to support a thriving and cooperative community of makers and innovators.
Based in Bayville, NY, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp. is an ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, chemicals, components, ordinance, electronics, and systems for industries ranging from aerospace to high tech to law enforcement. Examples of product offerings include raw materials, chemicals, and lubricants for industrial purposes to finished products such as security helmets for law enforcement, and military ordnances. SAE also provides research and development as well as technical support for other companies in similar industries.
Newport is a division of MKS Instruments, Inc. that was incorporated in 1961 and headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts. The company is a manufacturing company that serves the specialty industrial, advanced electronics, and semiconductor industries. The company markets its products through Spectra-Physics, MKS Instruments, Richardson Grating, and other brands. Their product categories include motion, optomechanics, optics, and vacuum instruments. Product categories include lasers, MKS vacuum & gas solutions, laser diode controls, and tables & isolation systems.
CHUO PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Chuo Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha), founded in 1955, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, specializing in precise positioning units as well as optical machines and equipment. The company’s portfolio includes automatic and motorized stages and actuators, manual mechanical stages, stage accessories, and controllers. Automatic stage applications include sample table of laser repair and mapping systems, whereas manual stage applications encompass camera position adjustment for glass substrate and/or film inspection systems and prober position adjustment. Further offerings include microscopes and tool scopes, automation products for microscopes, as well as optical accessories, components, and instruments.
Qioptiq Photonics GmbH & Co. KG is based in Göttingen, Germany, and is a photonics manufacturer that was founded in 2005 before being acquired by Excelitas Technologies Corp. in 2013. The company produces standard and custom optical systems, components, and software. These include fixed beam expanders, flat optical rail systems, and lens configuration software. The company also offers optical system and lens design, coating, and polishing services. Its products are used by clients in the semiconductor, defense, and research sectors.
CopperSound Pedals, founded in 2014 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, is a guitar effects pedal manufacturer. The company offers a range of products such as the Kingpin, a Germanium Clipper for distinct guitar sound effects; the Iris, an optical compressor; the Gravity Bomb V2, a clean boost and mids enhancer for enhancing mid-range tones; the Renegade, a multi-bias fuzz; and the Loma Prieta, a gritty harmonic tremolo. These products are handmade in the USA and provide musicians with various types of sound effects, ranging from clean boosts to harmonics.
ProtoStax, headquartered in San Jose, California, is a manufacturer and supplier of modular electronics prototyping solutions. The company offers a range of products, including IoT development kits, stackable modular platforms, and customizable enclosures ompatible with devices like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and more. These offerings facilitate efficient IoT project development, sensor integration, and enhanced connectivity. Each of its enclosure is meticulously crafted to accommodate the selected board, featuring precise cutouts and sufficient interior space for shields, HATs, or supplementary components.
Adafruit Industries, established in 2005, is an American manufacturer based in New York, specializing in electronics and do-it-yourself (DIY) electronics kits. The company offers a diverse array of products, including breakout and development boards, circuit playgrounds, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), robotics, computer numerical control (CNC) components, and various electronics project accessories. Adafruit also supports open-source hardware and software, hosting all of its code and hardware on GitHub, a website service for managing code and files. Adafruit also provides a range of tutorials, guides, and project ideas aimed at inspiring and educating electronics enthusiasts, makers, and hobbyists in creating interactive electronic projects.
Manufacturing Solutions Groups (MSG) is an American contract manufacturer specializing in industrial fabrication processes that was established in 2017 following the merger of MCI Technologies, Lerner Molded Plastics, and Assembly Specialist Inc. Based in Aurora, Ohio, the company offers various fabrication capabilities, including production machining, plastic molding, precision metal stamping, assembly, and packaging. It also offers a range of custom interconnectors, such as pins, housings, and terminals. MSG primarily serves clients in consumer goods, medical device manufacturing, and automotive assembly, as well as in industrial processing facilities.
Computer Network Accessories Inc., based in Dayton, Ohio, is an online supplier of several electronic products, such as power adapters, network hardware, and bulk cabling. The company also stocks computer hardware and accessories like keyboards, hard drives, and modems and sells toner cartridges compatible with several brands like HP, IBM, and Epson. The company has an online catalog of its products where customers can make orders, and it allows purchase orders. It provides free shipping for all orders over $99, and customers can return goods if unsatisfied within 30 days of purchase.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LabSmith |
17.3%
|
| 2 | SparkFun Electronics |
14.4%
|
| 3 | 3M |
13.5%
|
| 4 | VERE |
12.0%
|
| 5 | Thorlabs, Inc |
8.7%
|
| 6 | SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp |
6.3%
|
| 7 | CHUO PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD. |
4.8%
|
| 8 | Manufacturing Solutions Group |
4.3%
|
| 9 | Adafruit |
3.8%
|
| 10 | ProtoStax |
3.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the breadboard page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
7 | 77.8% |
|
Japan
|
1 | 11.1% |
Belgium
|
1 | 11.1% |
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