Circuit Board Assembly Services
Circuit boards can be made in two ways. The first option entails manual etching of copper boards using a corrosive chemical while the second option entails printing the circuit design onto a board. The first method is great for making prototypes and a small number of electrical devices while the latter is best for mass-producing circuit boards. Whichever method you choose, it is recommended you look for the best PCB assembly firm.
Once a circuit board has been printed, what follows is assembly. The discrete electronic components must be soldered onto the designated locations on the board. After assembly, testing must be done to ensure everything is working flawlessly. It is possible to outsource the circuit board assembly to third parties. This is a great option if there is a firm that can do the job cheaply, faster and better. Below are things to consider during the search for the best circuit board assembly firm:
i) Experience
The years of experience different PCB assembly firms have been in business must be considered. This is because you are looking for a firm that has been designing, printing, and assembling printed circuit boards for a long time. The number of PCBs assembled by a firm as well as the number of clients they have served and years of experience must all be considered. Experience is a great teacher, so you should give special consideration to the most experienced PCB assembly firm.
ii) Fees
The fees charged by different PCB assembly firms must be taken into consideration. The ideal service provider must do the assembly and testing cost-effectively. In fact, their costs should be much lower than the cost of doing the assembly and testing in-house. Fortunately, there is a lot of competition in the industry, so prices are usually competitive.
iii) Guarantees
After finding a few firms that charge reasonable rates for their services, it is recommended you check the guarantees offered by different firms. After assembly, each assembled board should be tested to ensure everything is working perfectly. A money-back guarantee will help to ensure you get value for money. In case there are defects, you should get compensated accordingly.
Only firms that have been in business for a long time and have handled many similar projects should get special consideration. Therefore, you should take time to carry out some research prior to deciding to commit yourself to a particular service provider.