Turnkey PCB manufacturing services include design review, fabricating bare boards, procuring components, assembly, and testing of your prototype. Choosing a one-stop solution for all your prototype requirements can save you time and money.
In this article, we will show you the benefits of opting PCB manufacturing and assembly from a single manufacturer.
Outsourcing fabrication and assembly services to multiple manufacturers requires you to be involved in procuring materials and managing both stages. A faster alternative is to have your entire board built and packed by a single electronic manufacturer utilizing turnkey PCBA manufacturing services. This is because many of the fabrication and assembly stages are automated and parallelized with standard SOPs. This integration maximizes the progression of your boards from the initial quote with DFM/DFA review through shipping. Thus a one-stop solution for your PCB manufacturing and assembly requirements can work in your favor.
Turnkey PCB manufacturing services involve:
It is called ‘turnkey’ as PCBA arrives at your doorstep ready to be turned on and used, with all parts functioning as intended. All entities involved in this integrated process have access to design data whenever you need it. The figure above shows the important steps in board manufacturing processes and sub-processes.
A PCB is a bare circuit board that is not yet functional. PCBA is a completed assembly with all the components attached to the board that will operate as desired for a given application. However, they are used interchangeably. PCBA services include bare board fabrication, sourcing parts, solder paste printing, component placement, and hand/reflow/wave soldering. PCBAs require anti-static or compartmental packaging whereas PCBs typically use vacuum packaging.
Turnkey solutions allow you to make better use of your time to focus more on board design. It ensures that your design is tailored as per the CM’s capability. This is perfect for companies that frequently upgrade their products. Since they need to cater to a larger market by providing multiple creative electronic products, this calls for seamless fabrication and assembly processes.
If you work with a single company, the production channels are limited. Potential incompatibilities in manufacturing equipment and software are also reduced. You need not stress over managing contracts and following up with multiple vendors as everything is included in a single purchase order. This results in a shorter production time.
Having multiple vendor pipelines adds to the delay. Shuffling your product between different facilities is a logistical nightmare that will cost you heavily and increase your lead time. There are chances of misplacing your parts in the process too. Having a single point of contact provides an opportunity for symbiosis and an effective PCBA development process.
The images below depict how having single or multiple vendors can affect the turnaround time of a standard 6-layer rigid board.
To learn the factors that can delay the lead time of your prototypes, see how to get a quickturn PCB in the USA.
Having many vendors will result in communication and compatibility issues, especially if there is a language and time zone barrier. This can slow down the prototype fabrication process. Turnkey PCB manufacturing and assembly approach allow for the whole process to be easily monitored as a single process. The sub-sectional supervision is handled by qualified experts within the manufacturer’s structures. A reputed board shop ensures good in-house communication between fabrication and assembly departments reducing manufacturing and population errors.
By choosing a single EMS company, you can use your resources/personnel and time for important design tasks rather than them spending time with follow-ups. Your CM will manage the entire process including component procurement, vendor(s) coordination, and quality control. Besides reducing project man-hours, you can dedicate more time to elevate your board design.
Design engineers use the best EDA tools available to capture and verify the schematics. This ensures that any design flaws in your board construction are eliminated in the initial phase, reducing the need for design modifications. A good CM will provide DFM and DFA assistance for your design. Their engineering team will be in constant communication between fabrication and assembly. This helps in catching errors quickly and results in producing reliable yet cost-sensitive prototypes.
Consider our PCB Design for Assembly Checklist: 9 Important Checks for Layout Engineers for a seamless assembly process.
Features:
Component shortage is one of the key challenges faced by many printed board assemblers. Finding reliable alternatives can also be tedious and time-consuming. This can be easily prevented by partnering with a company that offers turnkey PCB manufacturing services.
Component sourcing is a laborious process. There is also a likelihood of errors and compatibility problems. You may not even realize that the wrong part has been ordered until you assemble the prototype, delaying the process.
Sourcing reliable and good-quality components at bulk pricing will be easier through your turnkey manufacturer due to long-term cooperation with suppliers. They will have a large supply-chain contact base to meet all your board requirements. The fab house will have a team dedicated and a well-established system to ensure error-free assembly. They will manage your part needs with push (have buffer stocks) and pull (order only based on requirements) inventory strategy. In addition to this, the company will also manage customers’ consigned and customized components/materials.
A responsible EMS will also be proactive and provide early component sourcing. This prevents project derailment due to a volatile supply chain environment. It also mitigates the risk of extensive redesigns involving component alternatives.
Sometimes, distributors can send mislabeled parts that don’t match the specs. Once the components are procured, the team verifies samples of each part to check if it is in line with the BOM specifications to prevent errors and delays.
Sierra Circuits follows a zero-defect initiative when it comes to assembly. We perform BOM cleaning early in the development stage to ensure that your boards can be produced at the intended scale. See how we successfully assembled a board by rectifying the design data in the case study, eliminating BOM and footprint errors in PCB assembly.
Piecemeal-style manufacturing of PCB assemblies will lead to higher production costs. By choosing a single vendor, you save on the overall project costs like:
Qingjian Electronics supply professional and honest service.
Costs are also optimized with shorter manufacturing times by following required SOPs. At Sierra circuits, we waive charges for tooling, setup, stencil, and CAM reviews.
Negotiate the quote and relax until the PCBs arrive at your doorstep within the deadline.
For more assembly cost-saving strategies, read how to reduce PCB assembly cost.
Board manufacturing and assembly, especially multilayered boards is a very intricate and expensive process. Any small mistake during these tasks can render the entire board useless. Hence, maintaining stringent quality control is essential in producing a high-performance prototype. A reputed turnkey PCB manufacturing and assembly service provider will implement many proactive steps to review the quality of their processes and circuit boards. Early DFM checks are a step towards guaranteeing quality. Their quality control department will perform comprehensive inspections and testing before shipping. Automated X-ray inspection (AXI), automated optical inspection (AOI), electrical tests, and special certification tests are conducted at their facility. Therefore, you can be confident that your PCB has no defects and will function as expected. X-ray validation is carried out for all leadless device connections. Every board is scrutinized by AOI equipment to verify the correct placement and orientation of all components. You need to make sure your fabricator has the required certifications and registrations.
Do not rush the process of finding a good electronic CM. Your project should go from an idea to a finished product smoothly and consistently. It is essential to balance quality and cost to attain a successful prototype. Partner with a certified CM having a workforce who can provide a standard product using the latest technologies within the stipulated time. The criteria to choose the right EMS service provider are:
A few of the advanced machinery we use are:
Apart from our excellent design and manufacturing capacity, we provide exceptional engineering, procurement, and customer services. We provide total visibility through every step of board development to see that your PCB is built quickly, efficiently, cost-effectively, and of the highest quality. We always look forward to building long-lasting relationships with our clients. Our electronic manufacturing services (EMS) guarantee a cost-effective and hassle-free quickturn delivery of your printed boards.
Before moving to mass production of your board design, read advantages of ordering PCB prototype and bulk production from a single fab house.
Contract manufacturing has become quite a popular strategy for businesses due to the abundance of advantages it offers. When it comes to outsourcing of PCB assembly to contract manufacturers, the benefits are numerous, from managing the complexities of circuit board production to reducing the costs associated with maintaining a manufacturing line and staff.
Let’s explore the advantages of partnering with an EMS provider for your PCB assembly needs.
Regardless of your engineering department’s size, there are times when the workload surpasses your team’s capacity. These instances often coincide with the creation of a printed circuit board. Local PCB contract manufacturers can be invaluable technical resources during these times. PCB CMs typically have a comprehensive engineering team capable of managing a wide range of design tasks, from schematic capture to full PCB layout, allowing them to handle any additional work you need.
It’s not always about meeting the current production demands, it’s also about having the ability to handle sudden spikes in production due to increased demand. An outsourced EMS provider, with greater production capacity and resources and large supplier base, can plan production more flexibly and dynamically. They can scale up or prioritise production according to your needs, ensuring you meet unexpected short-term demand surges. This flexibility allows OEMs to capitalise on increased sales opportunities during production peaks without missing out on potential revenue.
Be it raw materials, logistics or quality standards, supply chain management plays a crucial role in the manufacturing of PCBs.
Effective manufacturing involves ensuring the timely and consistent supply of necessary components, managing financial risks related to sudden material price increases, and maintaining supply chain during market shortages. This is a significant reason why many companies opt for third-party EMS providers for their electronic manufacturing needs. The EMS provider assumes full responsibility for procuring all necessary components, including supplier selection, delivery scheduling, and storage management. Proper material management is critical, encompassing everything from shortened lead times to efficient utilisation during production runs.
PCB manufacturers have extensive experience in producing circuit boards of various types whilst employing diverse technologies. Their up-to-date manufacturing equipment ensure top-notch quality, guaranteeing optimal board functionality. Additionally, they offer access to an engineering team to address technical queries, ensuring a smooth transition to manufacturing.
Electronics contract manufacturing goes beyond machinery, it requires experienced experts with access to the latest technology. These aspects play a crucial role in overseeing the manufacturing process, swiftly addressing issues, and managing unforeseen situations to ensure product quality and efficiency.
Contract manufacturers also hold all the necessary certifications that guarantees high quality of the PCB assembly:
Outsourcing your PCB assembly to an EMS provider means you are not directly involved in the PCB manufacturing process. The contractor handles all aspects of production, including solving operational issues like component availability, supply chain management, manufacturing processes, maintaining efficient machinery, and employing qualified equipment operators. This arrangement also includes managing the associated financial expenses.
This outsourcing frees up valuable time that you can use to focus on other critical business activities. You can allocate your saved time, energy, and financial resources towards further product development, building a more effective distribution network, and acquiring new clients. These activities add significant value and positively impact the overall company performance.
Karkhana.io is your one-stop solution to cater to all your electronic manufacturing requirements. With a network of 500 vetted and certified suppliers nationwide, well-versed in the intricacies of electronics integration and are trusted by top-tier companies, assuring you of optimal results!
Why do we stand out?
Our flexible manufacturing services enable product efficiency and quality across orders of all sizes from small batches to large volumes, while offering box build solutions along with product localisation capabilities.
If you’re looking for an EMS provider that meets the technical capabilities, contact us today. Let us help you reach the optimal outcome for all your manufacturing requirements. To get started, simply Pushpalaxmi Vanniyar at with your specifications or fill out the form below.
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