PCB Prototype Service

VSE Provides Experience and Responsiveness for Prototype Design and Assembly

Customers expect great things when partnering with VSE: innovative design and manufacturing expertise combine to realize life-saving and life-changing devices. But just as “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” manufacturing requires iteration to optimize performance and tweak the design for yield and quality. VSE’s processes incorporate the latest industry technology and decades of staff experience for the most DFM-demanding designs. With VSE’s PCB prototypes, expect fewer revisions and faster time-to-market with an unyielding focus on manufacturing quality.

Comparing PCB Prototype Services to Other Production Stages
	Proof of Concept	Prototype	Mass Production
Performance	Low emphasis – functionality trumps performance	Moderate – work in progress as design evolves	High
Quality	Low	High	Moderate (focus on per-board cost)
Volume	Singular	Low	Moderate to High

VSE’s Quality Engineering & Manufacturing Services for PCB Prototype Service

VSE brings the same manufacturing expertise to our prototype builds as we do to our production assemblies. What sets our prototyping service apart is its fast-tracked process: each prototype project receives a dedicated specialist who will walk the product through every step in the manufacturing process, from engineering and design input to the final deliverable.

VSE’s engineers can deliver real-time support if a prototype build needs additional design work. Understanding how essential your new products are, we welcome engineers and designers to collaborate with us in person at our San Jose or Reno facilities. From consulting to entire DFM redesigns, our engineers have the expertise to complete your build when needed. Whatever your project needs are, our entire prototyping team is ready to deliver the highest-quality quick-turn PCBA.

The Prototype Manufacturing Process

VSE’s Rapid PCBA Manufacturing Process for Quick-Turn Prototypes

VSE’s prototyping service fast-tracks projects through manufacturing, meaning customers get their board back within days while maintaining all certified quality processes.

Engineering DFM Review

VSE’s engineering team begins every project assessment with a thorough design review to correct or anticipate future manufacturing challenges while accelerating turnaround times. A typical DFM review will identify end-of-life (EOL) components, layout improvements, and possible test strategies (connector or test point placement).

MRP & Kit Prep

The procurement planning team collaborates simultaneously with the initial engineering review. An NPI coordinator begins purchasing materials and works with our component engineers on solutions to navigate inventory, price, availability, and lead times.

Fabrication, Assembly, & Test

A dedicated prototype specialist assigned to the project tracks the board’s progress through each manufacturing step. This tracking continues as the board undergoes rigorous inspection and testing.

Completed Product Delivery

With a rapid NPI process, the conceptualized assembly production is quickly completed and ready for delivery. VSE furnishes a manufacturing output package that includes all applicable notes, ECOs, as-built drawings, test certifications and results, and other relevant documents alongside the final product.

VSE Can Turnaround Prototype Boards in as Little as Three Days

For over forty years, we’ve partnered with customers from various industries, including medical equipment, semiconductors, and aerospace, to deliver cutting-edge PCB prototype service for devices that save and change lives. We’ve helped many companies develop and build innovative prototypes for rapid testing and production on strict deadlines. Consult us for a quick prototype for testing, proof of concept, or larger production quantities.

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.