How to identify the top PCB assembly company in Southern California?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: June 7, 2024
PCB Assembly Companies

The PCB manufacturing industry is agile and requires proactive assembly service providers. Technical expertise and high-quality manufacturing processes are essential for building successful PCB assemblies. Not all contract manufacturers can offer cost-effective and reliable PCB assembly services. Issues like mismatched CAD tools, inconsistent manufacturing methods, and poor testing support are common in many assembly companies. But Southern California is known for advanced technology and proficiency in PCB assembly services. Identifying the best contract manufacturer needs a comprehensive assessment of all the existing service providers on several parameters.

The PCB assembly involves the mounting of electrical components on a bare board to make it a working circuit. There are two common assembly methods used by contract manufacturers. They are the Surface Mount Technique (SMT) and the Through Hole Technique (THT). Surface mount parts are assembled using SMT and through-hole parts are soldered using THT techniques. The contract manufacturers have to follow the industry standards during these assembly processes to assure quality output. Also, having more than one sourcing channel is mandatory to mitigate any shortage or unavailability of components before starting PCB assembly.

It is recommended to check if the contract manufacturer has experience in the domain of your end product. PCB assemblies used in the medical, aerospace, and automotive sectors have to be compliant with their corresponding industry standards. Most assembly companies display their certification details on their websites. You can verify the same and ask for their previous customer reviews for added assurance. Read further to know the important checkpoints while choosing the best service provider for PCB assembly service in Southern California.

Guidelines to identify the best PCB assembly company for your product:

1. List your service requirements

Based on the design features and complexity of your product, list down the services you require from the PCB contract manufacturer. Consider the lead time, quantity, and cost budget. It is recommended to plan for both assembly and testing of PCBs from a single vendor. Turnkey service providers offer a bunch of services like design review, component procurement, assembly, testing, debug support, storage, shipment, and after-sales services. You can spend enough time understanding your requirements and then proceed with choosing the best PCB assembly services.

2. Verify the company’s domain experience

The PCB assembly company must have prior knowledge of your target domain. Handling IPC class 2 and class 3 PCB assemblies demand technical proficiency and substantial experience. Find vendors who have demonstrated quality output in the same sector. You can ask for references or previous client reviews to learn about their capabilities. The material choice, soldering techniques, and test setups differ as per requirement of printed circuit board assemblies.

3. Check for the quality standards and certifications

There are industry standards established to regulate the quality of electronics manufacturing services. Choose PCB assembly company that is certified as follows:

  • ISO 9001 for general quality assurance
  • IPC-A-610 for acceptability of electronics assemblies in different sectors like medical, aerospace, and defense.
  • AS9100 for aerospace PCBs

These certifications should be timely audited by third-party companies as they are not just a one-time process. The assembly companies have to adhere to the standards and train their staff to follow the set procedures. For RoHS PCBs, the service provider should avoid restricted materials in every stage of PCB assembly.

4. Evaluate the Supply chain management

Top PCB assembly companies will have robust supply chain management in place. The ability to source authentic parts and materials for PCB assembly involves strong communication and networking. Experienced PCB assembly providers will review the final Bill of Materials (BoM) and plan procurement strategically. They will have multiple sources to tackle any component shortages and obsolete parts issues. Also, they source from the approved vendor list to avoid counterfeit parts in their inventory. An updated inventory management system is a must to identify and track materials on the shop floor.

5. Understand the process agility and technological competence

Today’s PCBs are designed for advanced technologies like high-density interconnect (HDI), high-speed, and high-power applications. Flex and Rigid-flex PCB assemblies have special requirements to add auxiliary fixtures and stiffeners. Assembling such complex PCBs is feasible only with modern equipment and trained staff. Your assembly provider has to support product customization and should accommodate changes if required. Evaluate their assembly line for flexibility along with technical capabilities.

6. Look for a transparent customer suppor

Before placing an PCB assembly order, do check if they offer dedicated support for your project. They have to be open to discussions and clear in their communication. If there are delays or ambiguities in their reply to your queries, then it is a warning to reconsider.

7. Acceptable cost and timelines

Contract manufacturers will charge you more to assemble PCBs in a shorter timeline. Go through the quotation and understand the pricing offered. It should match the required services and quality standards. If correctly planned, you can save a good amount on the assembly services without compromising on the quality.

The top PCB assembly companies can easily check if your design is feasible for fabrication and assembly. They can identify ways to improve manufacturability in the design stage itself. Best contract manufacturers track market trends and ensure component availability for your PCB assembly. Their excellent documentation process captures the required data to assist you in future revisions. Top assembly companies integrate advanced test processes to detect errors at the first instance. This reduces the turnaround time significantly.

Conclusion

An accurate evaluation method will guide you in identifying the top PCB assembly companies in southern California. As discussed in this article, factors like industry reputation, design support, technological abilities, supply chain management, industry certifications, and customer support are the key points to consider. Investing time and effort can help you to find the best assembly company aligning with your product specifications.

TechnoTronix – Top PCB assembly company in South California

At Technotronix, we have over 40 years of experience in fabricating and assembling high quality PCBs. We use advanced technology circuits to take control of the plenary process of PCB assembly services. We are working successfully for our customers in varied industries like aerospace, telecommunication, defense, medical, automobile and robotics. You can count on us for high quality PCBs, no matter what the level of complexity.

Get a quick PCB assembly quote or email us on [email protected] or call us on 714/630-9200 to ask your queries related to our custom PCB manufacturing services.

Top common mistakes to avoid while placing PCB assembly order!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: May 23, 2023
PCB Assembly Order

In the fast-paced electronics industry, new products and features are added to the market every day. To stay ahead of the competition, you have to launch your PCB products on time. Avoiding common mistakes while placing the PCB assembly order is crucial in maintaining the delivery schedules. Several checkpoints in the PCB design process can ensure a high production yield. You have to follow design specifications, place components strategically, implement Design for Manufacturability (DFM) guidelines, and share the latest Bill of Materials (BoM) with your Contract Manufacturer (CM). Building trust with your CM is a key aspect during the PCB fabrication and assembly process.

You can generate quotes from different vendors and compare the pricing before finalizing the right CM for your product manufacturing. The PCB fabrication cost depends on details like board dimension, the number of layers, surface finish, and design complexity. Do you need PCB fabrication along with assembly? Will you procure the components or the CM has to source from your BoM list? What is your lead time for getting assembled PCBs? All these questions have to be answered before going ahead with the order placement and collaboration with a contract manufacturer.

Small mistakes in PCB assembly, especially during bulk orders can cause significant time delays and budget overflows. The degraded performance of the product will also affect the brand’s reputation. Hence, it is important to avoid these common mistakes while placing PCB assembly orders.

Common mistakes to avoid while placing a PCB assembly order:

1. Do not choose a CM without evaluating their competence

There are many contract manufacturers available in the PCB industry today. Without rushing to place an order, you have to explore the services and pricing offered by multiple CMs (Contract Manufacturer). You can visit the assembly house to understand their process quality and technical capabilities. Based on your product market, choose a contract manufacturer with relevant industry certifications. An experienced CM can effectively perform component analysis, review designs, and check for product integration. Take time to compare and then decide the best service provider for your PCB assembly.

2. Do not share partial or inaccurate BoM

If you are asking your contract manufacturer to source the components for PCB assembly, then double-check the BoM before sharing. It has to be complete and up-to-date. If you have missed any component details in the BoM then the CM may procure a wrong part, affecting the board performance. The longer lead-time components used in the design should be highlighted for early ordering. Check for obsolete or ‘End of Life’ components in the BoM and replace them with ‘in-production’ parts. Do not forget to share your approved vendor list with the CM. This will avoid sourcing counterfeit parts.

Also checkout: Why Bill of Materials (BOM) is important in PCB manufacturing process?

3. Do not skip PCB design reviews which are essential for high-yield optimization

Along with the functionality review of the circuit design, check if the Design for Testing (DFT) and Design for Assembly (DFA) guidelines are implemented. Missing these recommendations during PCB design will reduce the assembly output. Silkscreen should be readable on both sides of the PCB. Include fiducial markers on the board to assist the pick and place machine during component assembly. Provide edge clearance on the PCB for mounting equipment to get enough grip. This is mandatory for a successful PCB assembly.

4. Do not provide incompatible design output files

Communicating clearly with your CM is highly essential to avoid confusion or delay in the PCB manufacturing services. There are different design output files like Gerber files, IPC 2581, and ODB++ used for PCB fabrication. For Assembly, BoM and X-Y placement files are required. BoMs (Bill of Materials) should be reviewed and shared in standard templates. Schematics and assembly drawings are also part of the design output bundle. It is necessary to provide these files in the formats accepted by your CM.

5. Do not handover ambiguous assembly instructions and testing documents

Provide clear PCB assembly instructions for component mounting sequence, orientation, and soldering techniques. If special components are used in the design, then add associated handling procedures to the document. For example, including the details of EMI-sensitive components and their shielding circuits can save component failures post-assembly.

The PCB assembly document package consists of test specifications and regulatory requirements. Test procedures and expected results must be clearly explained in the test documents. All the assembly documents should be revision controlled for traceability.

6. Do not miss to verify the PCB assembly quality before reordering

Do not opt for low-cost services. It is a common mistake to overlook quality over cost. But this will backfire in the long run. Assess the PCB assembly quality after the first batch output. The PCB assembly should pass the required tests and conform to industry standards. PCB assemblies of inferior quality will result in performance failure. This will add to the debug and rework costs, along with a delay in the delivery.

There are ways to reduce the PCB assembly cost through prior planning. If you are looking for a shorter lead time, then the price will shoot up. Also, the quantity of PCB ordered will impact the assembly cost. CMs will charge for creating soldering stencils, programming devices, preparing test setups, and board inspection. Choosing standard PCB sizes and common materials can help to reduce fabrication and assembly costs. While generating a PCB assembly quote, you must consider all the above aspects. Once you decide on the contract manufacturer, go through the quote in detail and understand the pricing and services offered.

Conclusion

To achieve maximum assembly output, you have to plan and then place the PCB assembly order. Avoiding the common mistakes listed in this article guarantees a smooth and efficient run of the PCB assembly process. The key factor is to evaluate and choose the right service provider. Keep in mind to share the complete and updated BoM. Review your circuit design thoroughly and implement DFM guidelines. As you focus on cost-reduction methods, do not forget to verify the assembly quality before placing your next PCB order.

We have 40 years of expertise in providing PCB assembly services. We use surface mount (SMT), through hole and mixed technology to manufacture consigned printed circuit board assembly, turnkeys, board types with metal cores, etc. as per your requirements. Get a quick PCB assembly quote or email us on [email protected] or call us on 714/630-9200 to ask your queries related to our custom PCB services.

Top Techniques to reduce the cost of cable assembly manufacturing!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: June 7, 2024
Cable Assembly Manufacturing

Custom cable assemblies, an important aspect of industrial projects, are also known to add to a sizeable portion to the overall costs. Often times cable assemblies need custom designs that can be complex and cost saving therefore involves a strategic identification of opportunities.

Here are some aspects to be mindful of, to be able to optimize costs.

First things first, even before we get to the cost, it is imperative that a detailed bill of materials (BOM) be available. It is a careful analysis of this document that can lead to cost saving suggestions. Additionally, a full specifications list must be available. Once again a thorough evaluation of the specifications can suggest areas of cost optimization without impacting the quality.

What are the techniques used to reduce the cable assembly manufacturing cost?

#1. Make sure that the design isn’t over-engineered & components aren’t over specified

It is imperative to choose the right design that lends itself to ease of manufacturability as also to cost optimization.

Making the choice of the right raw materials is extremely important basis the design. Importantly, the choice should be made because of the right reasons. Sometimes the choice is made simply because of familiarity with certain components or the fact that the components are top-of-line. The fact remains that components need to be chosen based on the bespoke requirements of the project. If, for example, the cable needs to be used in an environment where the temperature is high, due attention must be paid to how high the temperatures are likely to be. Over specifying the components can significantly add to the costs without giving you any tangible benefits.

Also explore more information about Circuit Board Component Placement.

#2. Choose the right connectors

Speaking of components, due care must be taken to choose the right connectors. For this, it is important to understand the transmission that the assembly will handle. Different types of connections require different methods, which in turn have cost implications. You need to make sure that the chosen technique works well for product quality while optimizing costs.

#3. Make the right choice of cables

Assessing your transmission needs is key. If you are looking for regular transmission you can opt for unshielded cables. However, if you specifically need to cancel electromagnetic noise you should go for shielded cables. Using shielded cables where unshielded ones can make the cut, can lead to an unnecessary increase in costs.

#4. Choose the right conductor size

It is also important to choose the right conductor size. Typically, the smaller the conductor size, the lower the costs. Of course, the size has to be chosen in a manner that doesn’t impact quality.

A thorough evaluation of the design could offer you areas of change that can significantly reduce costs without compromising on performance.

#5. Optimize supply chain management

With a professional PCB supplier, You will be able to save costs on the supply chain. For instance, the supplier could be ordering components in bulk and therefore driving down prices on account of economies of scale. Similarly, your supplier could produce a few months’ worth of cables and send them to you as they are required. Building trust with the supplier plays a strong role here.

You also need to ensure that the supplier is great at customer service and acts like a partner in the project.

#6. Choose the right partner

When you are outsourcing complex custom cable assemblies, it goes without saying that the right partner can make or break the project. The ideal partner will help you bring down the cost through:

  • Due advice on design & component selection. With access to industry best practices the partner will ensure prudent selection
  • Creative sourcing of parts that will keep costs under check.
  • Due quality control measures which ensure, that there aren’t costly errors to pay for at a later date.
  • Robust testing goes a long way in ensuring that there aren’t corrections to be made later that result in huge costs on account of wasted time, manpower & material.
  • Robust customer service including speedy resolution of issues, if any.

To sum up

While you need to optimize costs you cannot do it at the expense of non-existent quality control mechanisms. In taking the cost quotations from the partner, ensure also that you can vouch for their quality control process. It is imperative that the partner has an unstinting focus on delivering high quality at the most cost effective price points. Their long-standing supplier relationships can ensure that they are able to procure parts at optimal prices. Additionally, with their expertise & access to industry best practices, they can make sure that you do not need to re-invent the wheel. Their robust customer support team could also help in making sure that each project is delivered seamlessly.

Technotronix is a professional PCB manufacturer with 4 decades of experience and ISO 9001:2015 certified who is equipped with the necessary industry best practices. Feel free to ask if you have any questions regarding cable harness assembly services. Your satisfaction is our primary goal!

Get a quick cable harness quote!

Top power supply PCB assembly guidelines!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: December 5, 2022
Power Supply PCB Assembly Guidelines

All PCB boards need electrical power; however the need isn’t just for more power but also clean power. That is something that is made possible by a successful PCB board design. With the right PCB design, clean, uninterrupted power can be provided to the circuitry. It is also important to remember that electrical power will generate heat & the heat, in turn, will impact the circuit board. A number of aspects therefore need to be kept in mind.

Before we look at some of the considerations that will lead to a cleaner power supply, it will be worthwhile to look at the kind of power supply available.

Broadly, power supplies are broken up into two main groups:

  • Linear power supplies are typically used in systems where the power requirements are lower. 
  • SMPS or Switch-mode power supplies are more complex as also more efficient. The thing to remember is that their switching noise can lead to EMI. SMPs, in turn, may be isolated or non-isolated. Non-isolated SMPs are further of the following types:
    • Buck – It steps down the voltage while the current is stepped up
    • Boost – It steps up the voltage while stepping down the current
    • Buck-Boost – It has elements of both & can step up or step down the voltage.

It is important to remember that since you will deal with high levels of current, the trace widths need to be adequate. Additionally, in order to control the noise, it is important to ensure that the component placement is optimized as the routing is short. Also the design needs to ensure effective heat dissipation. Let us look at some of the guidelines to be followed in detail:

PCB Power Supply Guidelines to follow:

  • When you are dealing with a multi-layered board, it is important to have the ground or power plane between the outer layer with the power supply components & the inner layer with sensitive signals. The ground plane offers electromagnetic shielding. In case it is not possible to devote a layer, a ground polygon is ideal. If you do go in for a ground plane, it is essential that the PCB power supply design is separated from the common ground. Also the connection between the two grounds should be limited to one point on the board. In the absence of this, you run the risk of ground loops.
  • It is imperative to keep the power supply parts close together so that the trace lengths are minimized. This will help to reduce any resistive losses as well as electromagnetic noise emissions. Where possible the use of polygon pours is recommended.
  • In terms of component placement, it is also important to separate heat-generating components from heat-sensitive components. Also using copper will ensure that heat is distributed from the hotspots and that thermal issues aren’t exacerbated. If you are dealing with a buck converter the input capacitor should be kept next to the IC. As for the output capacitor, it should be placed immediately after the conductor.
  • Speaking of heat dissipation, it is important to include proper cooling methods such as heat sinks, fans, thermostatic coolers & more. Heat sinks are, however, best used with a linear regulator.
  • As for the routing, it needs to have short, direct traces. As far as possible blind and buried vias need to be avoided as they add to the inductance.

To Sum Up

The above best practices will ensure that your PCB power supply is optimized. However, a key area remains, which is having the boards manufactured & assembled to these exact details. Choosing the right electronic contract manufacturer who can manufacture & assemble your boards as per these best practices is therefore essential. Among other things since the PCB requires tight placement, you need an experienced assembler who can take care of all the requirements. Typically, the manufacturer & the assembler need to be able to work with you at the design stage itself so that there are no manufacturability issues at a later date. An experienced manufacturer & assembler is also equipped with all the industry best practices that make sure that you do not need to reinvent the wheel or waste precious time, especially since quick time-to-market is a key competitive advantage in today’s times.

At Technotronix, we are fully equipped to handle your PCB manufacturing requirements. We follow industry best practices to ensure we deliver cutting-edge products. Our team of experts and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ensures that all our PCBs meet the industry standards of quality and testing.

If you have any questions or any requirements related to PCB assembly, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or call 714/630-9200.