Points to Outsource Manufacturing PCBs and Prototype Manufacturing
It's not the most common sense to invest in costly production equipment when you only need to spin some prototypes, and instead outsourcing PCB assembly and prototyping to a reputable supplier. Here are some guidelines on what to look for when you are looking for an outsourcing company.
A lot of contract manufacturers offer the ability to get an instant quote via their websites for the production of circuit boards and the construction of prototypes. This will help you save time when you compare different suppliers. Be sure the quote system permits you to input all the information, including the thickness of the board, the material of copper, the thickness of copper milling, and more. so that you get an accurate price without surprise later.
Typically, the price per board decreases when the quantity grows. It is because of the high cost of setting up circuit board production along with component assembly. Certain vendors use an arrangement where they mix boards from multiple customers. So the cost of setup is distributed across multiple customers. When you design an item, you would not like to need to make a huge number of boards immediately as you work on your concept.
The only drawback to prototypes in small quantities however is that the range of materials and thicknesses is restricted. If you're making use of a specific material, the likelihood is that there won't be other customers who are using a similar material. Additionally, the lead time plays a significant part in determining the cost. Longer lead times give the manufacturer to have more flexibility when the way they plan their production. This typically results in lower costs, which will be evident in the quotation section. Of course, if on the go and you want to get up the heap, you'll have to pay more.
Check that your contract manufacturer is able to support the format of your files for manufacturing that you supply. The most popular format used for pcba manufacturing can be found in the Gerber format, however, some manufacturers will accept board designs from standard PCB software. Some vendors also provide internal PCB designs. If you're designing your own board, choosing one that provides design services could be beneficial in the event of an issue with your designs. In this instance, the vendor will be able to quickly make changes to save you from expensive delays.
If you subcontract PCB assembly Make sure your supplier can assemble all the packages that the board relies on. Some suppliers are unable to build certain kinds of IC packages like BGA chips, chip-scale packages, or components with very small dimensions. If you are unsure, be certain to inform your vendor in advance.
Some contract manufacturers have an inventory of common SMT as well as through-hole parts. It will be quicker by utilizing the inventory of your vendor instead of purchasing every component on your own. Be sure to indicate the items you'd like to transfer to your vendor as you submit your statement of materials.
Many vendors also offer to manufacture for the SMT stencil that is required to make PCBs. Make sure to purchase the stencil as soon as you are purchasing the circuit boards to ensure that there are no delays.
To make sure the circuit boards you purchase will function ensure that your supplier is quality-certified and provides the tests and inspection procedures that are needed. Be aware, however, that some tests, like ICT testing, may require extra time and money to design appropriate test equipment.
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