Most people who need PCB and PCB assembly services don’t have a lot of extra time to spare. That’s why there’s an increased need for faster services that don’t sacrifice quality or are too expensive. But finding the right PCB partner can be difficult without thoroughly researching all the options. Not all PCB manufacturing companies are created equal; if you make assumptions, you could end up dealing with unnecessary (and costly) delays you hadn’t anticipated. Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that can slow down the PCB manufacturing process.
Prototyping Delays: If you’re developing a new product, you’ll need to go through the prototype PCB assembly process. But if you don’t work with a company that specializes in quick turn PCB assembly, you could be waiting a long time to actually get your design into mass production. While quick-turn PCB assembly services can provide you with a prototype in a matter of days, other companies may take several weeks to design, produce, and ship your prototype boards to you. These delays can have a significant impact on your production costs and could even jeopardize your ability to bring your product to market. And if a prototype doesn’t work the way it should, delays will be even more significant. You’ll want to work with a manufacturer that emphasizes its turnaround times and overall quality so you don’t find yourself in a time crunch.
Going the DIY Route: Some tech-savvy innovators possess the ability to create printed circuit boards on their own — but that doesn’t mean you should. To ensure the highest quality and the quickest turnaround times, you should find a PCB provider you can trust to get the job done within a certain period. After all, a single, automatic line can place and solder more components than 50 hand solder operators — and do so with more consistent quality. The DIY approach comes with a much higher risk of costly mistakes and slower turnaround times, both of which will affect your bottom line. While we have no doubt your product will be successful, you don’t have to do everything on your own to make an impact. Hiring professionals for the job will ultimately result in a much better product and will actually allow you to save money in the long run.
Unrealistic Expectations: While your chosen PCB company should be able to provide you with a high-quality product in short amount of time without paying an arm and a leg, you’ll still need to be realistic about your expectations. Remember that producing something great does require a time and monetary investment. Go the fast and cheap route and you may end up with a subpar PCB that won’t meet your expectations. Be sure to do your research when choosing a quick turn PCB assembly provider and ask for a timeline as to when you can expect your prototypes. If it seems too good to be true, it might be — and that could end up costing you more time and/or money than you bargained for.
Knowing which factors to keep an eye out for can help you make a more informed decision when it comes time to choose a quick turn PCB assembly provider. For more information on how we can help your business succeed with our fast turnaround times, superior quality, and affordable costs, please contact us today — Hitech PCB
