Local PCB Sourcing for Faster Turnaround Times

Working with a new, faraway PCB contract manufacturer (CM) without in-person reassurance can present challenges that only arise once production is in full swing. With a local CM, it’s easier to collaborate to improve production schedules, quality, and cost quickly. For a new product introduction (NPI), a local CM can also steer first-time products or even designers through the manufacturing process to encourage innovation in prototyping. As with all engineering, there’s always a trade-off, but design teams may be pleased to learn of the many advantages of local PCB sourcing.

Local PCB Sourcing vs. Overseas
Local	Overseas
Easy to investigate the CM facility and get a better sense of partnership. Same time zones make it easy to coordinate meetings and communications. Delivery times are shorter, and ground shipping is far more cost-effective.	Touring production facilities are logistically or financially challenging. Time zone differences may limit communication to email correspondence. Delivery times can be extensive and has to contend with additional cargo shipping costs or expensive airfreight.

Establishing Partnerships Is Best Achieved Face-to-Face

The commencement of production is a significant milestone for any design; teams will want to investigate the CM’s quality and performance thoroughly to avoid delays or costly budget overruns. Furthermore, designers will want full faith that their CM can accurately capture design intent in the final PCBA. This research is easily obtainable from a domestic PCB manufacturing facility. Choosing a local partner allows designers to manage decisions more efficiently because there are multiple avenues available to assess CM performance objectively:

• Designers can contact industry peers familiar with a CM’s production history, market segments, strengths and weaknesses, and reputation.

• Process engineers can tour the local facilities to observe the CM’s operations and management style.

• The CM’s production staff can schedule a visit to meet design engineers.

Local PCB Sourcing and NPI Designs

New products and processes are unproven by nature, and challenges are more likely to arise than a change to production volume throughput (there are a separate host of issues for transitioning to moderate-to-high volume production, but they are anticipable with a higher degree of confidence).

When overseas production stops due to design obstacles or PCBs fail quality tests, response time will be critical to implement changes. Geographical distance can slow the resolution of these issues, whether due to time zone differences or international flights for in-person meetings. Even for the best overseas manufacturers, a process like discussion and approval of change orders may occur over days instead of hours due to a mismatch between office hours. These individual delays can combine throughout manufacturing to place production far behind schedule.

NPIs are beset with complexity by the sheer number of phases involved. Design engineering, component engineering, compliance, sourcing, manufacturing and testing, quality control teams, and suppliers must closely coordinate efforts to ensure compatibility between departments and compliance with the end product. One of the most significant advantages of partnering with a local CM with ample industry experience is the ability to synchronize production faster and more efficiently.

Advantages of Working with a Local CM

Ease of research – Geographical proximity allows for confidential inquiries with industry peers into a potential CM’s production history, management style, production strengths and weaknesses, and company integrity. Collaborate proximally – There are opportunities for in-person introductions and design review meetings. Engineers are available on short notice for hands-on troubleshooting, sometimes enabling same-day issue resolution. Personalized oversight – A company’s engineering and quality assurance teams can oversee the first production runs. Quicker turnarounds – Expect quicker turnarounds for revised design schematics to reduce overall lead time. An NPI could be received the same day it finishes testing. Enhance communication – Rapid communication to the CM is possible if design constraints or production volumes change. Streamline design – Since CMs charge OEMs for engineering change orders after production commences, a local CM with engineering services can circumvent change orders by participating in pre-production design. Procurement – Local CMs’ contacts with suppliers allow them to have high-quality components ready in advance, knowledge in forecasting, agility in meeting production needs, and thorough testing procedures. Reliable delivery – Ground travel shipping is affordable and has a low risk of product damage—there are no expensive overseas shipping costs, cargo insurance, or tariffs.

Your Local PCB Manufacturer Can Aid in NPI Development And More

While the allure of per-board savings may disfavor local PCB sourcing, design teams will want to carefully consider whether their design is ready for the limelight of mass production. The product’s quality, performance, and long-term reliability will improve with vetting of the initial design. For NPIs and low-volume runs especially, the optimum manufacturing scenario is a more guided oversight of PCB production during the prototyping through the design for manufacturing (DFM) revision phase.

We at VSE are committed to building electronics for our customers, whether for NPIs at our San Jose facility or higher volume at our new Reno location. Alongside our valued manufacturing partners, we aim to deliver the highest quality for many life-saving and life-changing fields.