Considerations When Outsourcing PCB Assembly and Prototype Manufacturing
When only few PCB prototype are required, it is often more cost-efficient to outsource PCB assembly and prototype manufacturing to a reliable vendor rather than investing in costly production equipment. I'll provide you with some recommendations on what to look for when selecting a contract manufacturer and explain why.
Many contract manufacturers offer a rapid quote mechanism on their company's website to produce circuit boards and assemble prototypes, and this will save you essential time while assessing several suppliers. To guarantee that you obtain an accurate quotation without surprises later, check that the quote system allows you to enter all pertinent details, such as board material and thickness, copper thickness, milling, and other pertinent information.
Typically, the cost per board reduces as the quantity of boards increases. This is because the setup expenses of circuit board manufacture and component assembly are pretty expensive. Certain suppliers will combine boards from many clients. Consequently, set up expenditures will be distributed across a broader customer base, lowering total prices. When designing a product, it's understandable that you don't want to be pressed into mass production while you're still refining your design.
However, there is a restriction for small-quantity PCB prototype in that the range of materials and material thicknesses will be limited. If you're dealing with a one-of-a-kind chemical, there's a strong chance that no other customers will be using it. Additionally, the duration of a project has a considerable influence on its cost, and a longer lead time enables the manufacturer to schedule your production more efficiently. Savings on costs are frequently reflected in lower pricing, which you can see in the quote section. If you're in a rush and want to go to the top, you'll need to spend more money.
Consult your contract manufacturer to check that the manufacturing file type you give is supported. Although the Gerber format is the most frequently utilized for PCB assembly and PCB production, some providers will accept board files prepared using standard PCB software tools such as Eagle. Additionally, some companies offer in-house PCB design services. Even if you design your circuit boards, picking a design services provider may be advantageous if your files are not correctly prepared. In this case, your provider will be able to make necessary adjustments quickly, avoiding costly delays.
If you outsource PCB assembly, ensure that the vendor can assemble all of the package types required by your board. Certain manufacturers cannot create certain types of integrated circuit packages, such as BGA, chip-scale, or highly tiny components. If in doubt, contact your merchant in advance.
Certain contract manufacturing businesses maintain an inventory of traditional SMT and through-hole components. You will save time extracting components from your vendor's inventory rather than purchasing each component individually. When uploading your bill of materials, note which components you wish to handle yourself and which you wish to outsource.
Most providers will also supply services for creating the SMT stencils required for circuit board assembly. To avoid delays, order the stencil as soon as possible after placing your order for the circuit boards. Ascertain that your circuit boards are quality certified and that your vendor provides the appropriate testing and board inspection methods to ensure the operation of your circuit boards. However, keep in mind that specific tests, such as ICT testing, may require additional time and money to construct appropriate test fixtures.
ChinaPCBOne Technology LTD. is the author of this article on PCB assembly. Find more information, about China PCB.