Things to Consider When Choosing a PCB Manufacturer

Things to Consider When Choosing a PCB Manufacturer

In today's technologically advanced world, printed circuit boards (PCBs) play a significant role in various electronic devices. Whether you are a specialist working on a specific project or a business owner developing innovative technology, selecting the right PCB manufacturer is crucial. This guide will assist you in the process of choosing a PCB manufacturer that meets your requirements and ensures the successful assembly of your electronic devices. We will explore critical factors such as the manufacturer's expertise, PCB assembly services, prototype PCB assembly capabilities, and more.

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When selecting a PCB/PCBA manufacturer, it is essential to consider several factors. PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) are fundamental to almost all electronic products, making it necessary to find a reputable PCB manufacturer and assembler. Here are the key factors to evaluate before manufacturing and assembling your PCBs.

Quality is Key in Evaluating a PCB/PCBA Manufacturer

The foremost requirement when choosing a PCB/A manufacturer is quality. If you seek long-term collaboration, ensure that your supplier consistently delivers high-quality products.

Balancing quality and cost is crucial. Create a detailed checklist of requirements that the provider must meet before initiating any collaboration process.

When searching for quality manufacturers, consider the industries they specialize in. Different companies have unique needs, and similarly, manufacturers excel in specific industries.

Ensure that your requirements align with the manufacturer’s expertise. This alignment is the only way to obtain a product tailored to your specific situation.

To guarantee the quality of PCBs, consider the following aspects:

Capability - Investigated and approved by the manufacturing department, capability is a vital aspect of design.

Quality Control Inspection - Strict measurement and monitoring should be standard practices for manufacturers. Results must be documented, and procedures should be revised based on failures.

Ensured PCB Design Manufacturability - The project leader needs to verify that all requirements are met before proceeding with the development process. If any issues arise, documentation must be maintained to prevent further complications.

Ensured Normalization and Testability - This process involves checking and analyzing test points, dimensions, routing, structural style, and manufacturability.

Designer Check - PCB designers should review and confirm the designs before manufacturing begins.

PCBONLINE has established a comprehensive quality management system for their PCB manufacturing and assembly. They adhere to ISO, IPC, UL, and ATIF quality standards to manage their PCB/PCBA production, ensuring reliability and high quality.

PCB/PCBA Manufacturers Should Follow IPC Standards

It is essential to mention IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits), which represents electronics design, PCB manufacturing, and electronics assembly.

The IPC's goal is to enhance manufacturing quality and periodically release acceptability standards which serve as specifications regarding design performance for various electronic components and printed circuit boards.

PCB manufacturers undergo training to meet the relevant IPC specifications, ensuring quality and compliance through established standards. The following are some IPC quality classifications:

Class 1 - Includes all suitable products that meet basic application requirements.

Class 2 - Focuses on performance and aims for continuous, uninterrupted service.

Class 3 - High reliability is essential, as downtime is not acceptable; end-use equipment must function effectively.

PCBONLINE adheres to the IPC-A-610 standard for PCB assembly, ensuring high-quality circuit boards that meet or exceed expectations.

Factors Affecting PCB Price

Now that you understand these crucial principles, keep them in mind when selecting a supplier. The demand for multilayer PCBs increases with the number of layers beyond two, especially over four. This price variation is significant and directly impacts search volume.

• 1-Layer to 2-Layers: [30% to 35%] price increase.
• 2-Layers to 4-Layers: [35% to 45%] price increase.
• 4-Layers to 6-Layers: [30% to 40%] price increase.
• 6-Layers to 8-Layers: [30% to 35%] price increase.
• 8-Layers to 10-Layers: [20% to 30%] price increase.
• 10-Layers to 12-Layers: [20% to 30%] price increase.

The second layer is often one of the most significant price increases during the development process.

The choice of surface finish will affect PCB costs as well. Although a minor factor, we'll discuss the five most common surface finishes:

1. OSP - Organic Solderability Preservatives: This anti-tarnish coating protects copper from oxidation and is easy to work with.
2. HASL - Hot Air Solder Leveling: A popular finish choice, but with limitations regarding surface irregularities and its suitability for pitch components.
3. IMM Sn - Immersion Silver: Ideal for fine pitch products with a planar surface and long shelf life.
4. ENEPIG - Electroless Nickel / Electroless Palladium / Immersion Gold: Provides a reliable bondable surface and is cost-effective in thin applications.
5. ENIG - Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold: Currently the most prevalent surface finish for industries requiring flat surfaces.

PCBONLINE offers various options for PCB layers, surface finishes, and copper thickness at competitive prices.

• Layer: 1 ~ 24
• Laminate: Normal Tg/Hight/Lead-free/Halogen Free
• Surface Finishing: OSP/HASL/LF HASL/Immersion ENIG/Immersion Tin/Immersion Silver
• Board Thickness: 0.15 ~ 3.2 mm
• Max Board Size: 500 x 580 mm
• Copper Thickness: Inner Finish Copper: 1-4OZ
• Outer Finish Copper: 1-7OZ
• Min. Line Width/Spacing: 0. mm/0. mm
• Min. CNC Drilling Size: 0.15 mm
• Min. Laser Drilling Size: 0.075 mm
• HDI Stack Up 1+N+1, 2+N+2, 3+N+3

Choose an Assembly Method

Now that you have a better understanding of the factors to consider when ordering PCBs, you still need to decide on the assembly method.

This part of the production process can be challenging, especially for manufacturers when physically attaching components to the board, which can be especially complex for low-quantity fabrications.

There are three main assembly method options:

Professional Assembly: This method prioritizes reliability; however, it is not cost-effective and requires substantial manufacturing data.

DIY Reflow: Involves depositing solder paste, placing components, and baking the PCB. This method requires the use of a stencil to aid in accurately applying solder paste.

Hot-Air-Gun Soldering: This method distinguishes itself through the heat source used, making it highly effective for smaller boards.

PCBONLINE is an excellent choice for professional assembly. If interested in their services, request an online quote.

Conclusion

It is advisable to focus on quality. Prices are influenced by various factors, making it unlikely to find high-quality boards at low costs. Consider all presented factors before making any budgetary decisions.

PCBONLINE provides Class 3 IPC manufacturing for PCBs and PCBA. When seeking PCB design for high-tech applications, consider Class 3 IPC manufacturers that offer superior quality.

We hope this article assists you in your search for reliable manufacturers, and we wish you the best in your endeavors.

Contact us to discuss your requirements for PCB Electronic Board Assembly. Our experienced sales team can help identify options best suited to your needs.