
Small components can sometimes get lost on the factory floor, so it helps to purchase 5% to 10% extra to account for this.

Some companies will offer fabrication with turnkey assembly through a partner as a single service package.īefore you order components, be sure to check the assembler’s attrition requirements. Very simply, a turnkey manufacturer provides fabrication, assembly, and component sourcing services into a single package. The term “turnkey solution” also gets thrown around a lot when referring to PCB manufacturing, as well as in other industries like software. Some firms only provide one service and not the other. PCB manufacturing consists of two high-level steps: board fabrication and board assembly. Here are some of the questions you might ask yourself before you start searching online for a manufacturing partner. Because my company works with defense firms who need PCB designs and manufacturing services, there are certain regulations to be considered when selecting a manufacturer. This learning experience helped me formulate a set of questions I ask myself before I help a client get into manufacturing. They were very helpful in providing a rough cost estimate before finalizing the design, notifying me of available material options, and making sure I understood my responsibilities in getting something into fab. I’ve always been a proponent of talking to manufacturers before you begin your design, and I’m glad I did this on my first run. I remember when I put my first batch of boards into production with a local manufacturer. Either way, there are some questions you should ask your PCB manufacturer and yourself to ensure you decide on the best fabricator and assembler for your next project.

You might be in a position where you need more advanced manufacturing services, or it might be your first time engaging with a full-service manufacturing firm.

In this article, my hope is I can walk the intrepid designer through the thought process involved in choosing the best PCB manufacturer for a new project. There are a lot of options to consider when selecting a manufacturer for your project. Different fabricators and assemblers offer different levels of service, different capabilities, and access to different processes and materials. If you’re looking for a manufacturer for your next project, it can be difficult to determine who is the best option to produce your board. PCB manufacturing is competitive, and there is plenty of worldwide manufacturing capacity for new boards.
