Circuit boards are the heart of Wacom’s pens and pen tablets. These flat components hold and connect electronic parts, allowing them to function as complete circuits.

At Connected Ink 2025, Wacom’s event held in November 2025, we held a circuit board–themed workshop together with KPD Co., Ltd., a company specializing in PCB prototyping.

Wacom and KPD Connected Through PCB Technology

Wacom and KPD have worked together for more than 15 years, collaborating on the prototyping of circuit boards used in Wacom pens and pen tablets. Through this long-standing partnership, Wacom pen engineer Noboru Yamaguchi was introduced to KPD’s unique initiative known as “PCB Art.”

“PCB Art” is an approach that brings a sense of playfulness to circuit board technology by transforming PCBs into works of art. The concept was born from KPD President Kazuaki Katogi’s desire to help more people learn about and appreciate circuit boards. The balance dragonfly created in this workshop is one example of this approach.

After receiving a balance dragonfly from Mr. Katogi, we were able to gain a deeper understanding of KPD’s passion for PCBs and its distinctive perspective on the technology. This encounter ultimately became the catalyst for bringing the workshop to Connected Ink.

A Hands-On Workshop to Learn About and Enjoy PCBs

During the workshop, participants created balance dragonflies using original printed circuit boards designed by KPD.

The session began with an overview of the circuit boards used in Wacom pens, presented by Wacom engineer Noboru Yamaguchi. He introduced key technical aspects of PCB design, including the design ingenuity and challenges involved in fitting complex circuitry into the slim shape of a pen. This was followed by a talk from KPD President Kazuaki Katogi, who explained the PCB prototyping process and shared what makes working with circuit boards so engaging. By seeing and touching real PCBs, participants had the opportunity to develop a deeper interest in PCB technology and how circuit boards are made.

The process of creating the balance dragonfly is simple: participants used nippers to cut out the dragonfly’s body and two wings, then assembled the parts by inserting the wings into the slots of the body to complete the piece. As the workshop progressed and participants began assembling their dragonflies, they discovered that small variations in cutting and assembly affected the center of gravity, resulting in dragonflies with unique balancing characteristics.

After completing their creations, participants took on a balance challenge by placing their dragonflies on original wooden bases or on the tip a Wacom Intuos Pro pen. Balancing the dragonfly on the pen proved especially difficult and sparked a lot of excitement. Children and adults alike became fully absorbed in the challenge, exchanging tips, celebrating successful attempts, and creating a shared sense of unity throughout the venue.

The workshop also featured a display of one of Wacom’s narrowest pen circuit boards, measuring just 2.7 mm in width. Using magnifying glasses, participants closely examined this rarely seen PCB, providing another opportunity to spark curiosity and interest in PCB technology.

Balance Dragonflies That Foster an Engineer’s Way of Thinking

Looking back on the workshop, Yamaguchi reflected that “An engineer’s way of thinking—asking how something could be improved—emerged naturally.” As participants tested the balance dragonflies they had made themselves, many began to ask questions such as, “Why is it tilting?” They experimented by adjusting how the wings were inserted or by sanding them down, repeatedly refining their designs. According to Yamaguchi, this process closely mirrors the fundamental engineering cycle of trial and error and continuous improvement.

The circuit boards inside pens are not something people usually have the opportunity to see, yet they are essential technologies that make it possible for a pen to function. Being able to convey the role and fascination of these circuit boards through the balance dragonfly was a deeply rewarding experience for Yamaguchi as an engineer.

The exploration of circuit board technology by KPD and Wacom will continue. Inspired by KPD’s deep passion for PCBs, which was strongly felt through Connected Ink, Wacom will continue to advance the technologies that support the act of “inking experience” and further develop the experience built around it. 

Related Article

Read an interview in which Wacom pen engineer Noboru Yamaguchi, who led the workshop, looks back on the initiative from his own perspective.