If you need a printed circuit board made, you have plenty of manufacturers to choose from.
Because of the sheer number of options, it can be difficult to decide.
If you choose the wrong one, you could have various problems such as delays in production or problems with quality control, just to name a few. Therefore, picking the right PCB manufacturer matters.
Cost of Manufacturing the PCB
The cost of manufacturing the board matters. While most companies look for ways to save money, the PCB is most likely an important part of your product and needs to be manufactured properly. If you hire a company that cuts costs, you might end up having to pay more in the long run to repair all of the problems the cheap board created.
It is important that you find a balance between the cost and the final product. Your PCB manufacturer should be able to give you an estimate and break down all the factors that go into it.
Meeting Your Requirements
When you are selecting a PCB manufacturer, you want one that can build a board that meets your needs. If the company is hesitant about anything you need, then the company probably cannot do the job correctly. They need to be able to work with your files, make the board to your specifications, and meet your time requests. Anything less than that should not be acceptable to you.
Delivering On-Time
Another important aspect of your decisions should involve the manufacturer’s ability to meet your timeline. For many companies, delays are costly, especially if they end up moving back product release dates. Turnkey PCB manufacturers have the know-how to make boards with speed and accuracy, but not necessarily in large quantities.
Traditional PCB manufacturers can be slowed by their suppliers, so you should ask them how they will work with them to meet your needs. But remember, you don’t want the boards to be made so quickly that they do not function appropriately. You have to have realistic expectations, and your PCB manufacturer should do their best to meet them.
Watch for Middlemen
There are some unscrupulous people who look like they run PCB manufacturing companies, but they are actually middlemen who act as brokers. They take orders and pass them off to the cheapest manufacturer in an effort to make money off the difference they quote to customers. You might not get what you ask for, and you might pay way too much for it if you work with a middleman broker.
Getting What You Want
The most important thing is the company can deliver a PCB that will do what you want it to do. They should be able to deliver a quality board that will not fall apart or will not fail after a few uses. The board needs to have the correct dimensions so it fits in your product. It has to pass the necessary tests and have all components in the correct place. The company you hire should be able to give you data about their quality control process.
