After simulations have run and an initial electronic designer prepares for translation to a physical printed circuit board assembly, several manufacturing processes can be overwhelming for design teams with little to no experience. Engaging with a contract manufacturer (CM) can alleviate any worries related to electronics manufacturing. A CM like VSE can process all electronic manufacturing services design teams may or may not need to see their files and documents transform into a physical device.
Introduction →
Electronic Manufacturing Services
Questions to Ask
Questions
Reason
Do I need high-speed/specialty materials for the stackup?
High-speed boards encounter more signal loss during transmission as frequency increases; specialty materials like PTFE are more suitable.
What class does the board require?
For safety purposes, specific high-risk industries like medical and aerospace require higher manufacturer quality (and, therefore, reduced yield/higher costs).
Does my design need a quicker turnaround?
Most manufacturers can offer faster PCBA turnaround times at a premium, depending on current shop production capacity.
What is the end goal of my production? Do I need a board for testing purposes or a user-ready product?
Relaxing particular manufacturing and component tolerances for an evaluation-only board is possible, which reduces costs.
What are my enclosure needs?
A board may only require simple environmental protection, while more robust boards may require passive and active cooling solutions, chassis grounding, vibration damping, shock absorption, etc.
Requirements →
PCBAs Are Continuous Design Refinements
Electronic manufacturing services focus on all processes that bridge the gap from an electronic design to a realized electronic device. It’s necessary first to understand the stages of electronic development that occur during design refinement:
1
Proof of Concept
- Rough functionality (breadboard, single-board computers, etc.)
- Operation trumps performance
- Acts as a springboard for design documents
2
Prototype
- Enhanced emphasis on manufacturability than proof of concept, less than mass production
- The performance begins to matter as the final design coalesces
3
Mass Production
- Design should support manufacturing as much as possible to improve yield and reduce per-board costs
- Tests for quality and performance
PCB Assembly →
An In-Depth View of DFM Procedures
Zooming in on the electronic manufacturing services that propel a proof of concept through final production, it’s essential to understand that a manufacturer dramatically influences the design process. By applying their industry experience, they can guide the design process while avoiding common pitfalls that first-time product development teams may miss. Consider an overview of a general manufacturing process after receiving design documents with the following list:
1
BOM Review
The BOM will be the most critical design document pre-layout alongside the schematic. These components will drive the assembly’s functionality, but it is worthwhile to examine the market to avoid supply issues hindering production budgets and…
2
Design Rules
At the outset of the layout, manufacturers will want to set the design rules that flag manufacturing violations during board design to minimize rework time and instill DFM. These rules encompass all board elements, such as traces, vias, and…
3
Manufacturing Documentation
The BOM will be the most critical design document pre-layout alongside the schematic. These components will drive the assembly’s functionality, but it is worthwhile to examine the market to avoid supply issues hindering production budgets and…
4
Fabrication
Creating the bare board (i.e., the unassembled PCB) provides the electrical, thermal, and mechanical parameters for the in-circuit performance. Fabricators will utilize various material substrates to realize the board thickness and conductor…
5
Assembly
Populating a fabricated board with the component locations and orientations indicated in the layout requires exact and fast equipment. A pick-and-place machine will properly orient and place component packages in preparation for soldering…
6
Testing
Every board must undergo rigorous testing throughout manufacturing to ensure board quality meets industry standards. These test methods also check net continuity post-fabrication to verify that the physical design matches the documentation…
7
Enclosure Design
Electronics are susceptible to dirt, debris, moisture, and other environmental factors that can reduce the service life of the board. For safe handling and protection, a mechanical enclosure will provide the desired ruggedness for the end-use environment…
8
System Assembly
While some devices may rely on a single board for operation, more complex or constrained devices may require multiple smaller boards joined by flexible printed circuit materials or wiring. Managing the installation and interconnection of these…
Contact Us →
Your Contract Manufacturer for All Electronic Manufacturing Services
Electronic manufacturing services combine many disciplines to realize a design with a physical product set for mass production quantities (if desired). Not all CMs provide a turnkey solution to manufacturing, which introduces additional parties to the manufacturing process where inter-coordination can extend production schedules. Here at VSE, we’re a team of engineers committed to building electronics for our customers, and we cover every aspect of electronics manufacturing to simplify new product introductions (NPIs) or design revisions. We’ve been realizing life-changing and life-saving devices with our manufacturing partners for over forty years.
If you are looking for a CM that prides itself on its care and attention to detail to ensure that each PCB assembly is built to the highest standards, look no further than VSE. Contact us today to learn more about partnering with us for your next project.