In any industry, it's extremely important that you're able to keep up with (if not surpass) the competition by offering the very best products and services. This is especially true in the electronic sector. With every passing moment, further advancements are being made in our technological capabilities and processes, which results in a consumer demand for increasingly complex yet affordable and user-friendly products. Of course, behind every great electronic device is an advanced, well put-together PC board.
It's true! Although most users will never even take a glimpse at a PCB (let alone begin to understand how it works), these units are the backbone of our technology. As such, it's absolutely crucial that a lot of care goes into the manufacture and assembly process. But what is it that sets a superior PC board apart from a mediocre or low-quality board? Unless you know, you could end up partnering with a less-than-qualified contract manufacturing company. To eliminate any future stresses or headaches on your end, let's take a look at what actually goes into the assembly of the best PCBs.
Training
Before your prospective contract manufacturer can even be considered, you should take the time to find out what type of educational background and hands-on experience is required of its employees. Those working on your valuable PC boards should understand the latest mounting technologies, when SMT is preferable to through-hole methods and vise-versa, should understand industry standards and requirements, and should have the necessary experience in the business in order to back-up their "book smarts".
Passion
Does your contract manufacturer care about their work? Those who are passionate about technology, and providing an excellent board to the end user will put the most effort into the design and assembly process, allowing you to feel confident in the boards that you're using in your products or selling to your customers.
Careful Planning & Design
Even a seemingly insignificant oversight or hiccup in the design process can result in a PCB that is less efficient or effective. When this happens, your product may not operate as well as you had planned or expected, or it may not function at all. Whether designing and engineering your boards for you from scratch or reviewing the plans of your in-house design team, your contract manufacturer should be dedicated to ensuring that your schematics are as cost-efficient and accurate as possible.
American-Made Parts
The system components and parts that are used to assemble your PC boards absolutely must meet industry standards and regulations in order to function safely and correctly. Although many overseas manufacturing companies offer very cheap prices for PCB assembly, they tend to use counterfeit parts that could go against our standards. It's always best to stick with American manufacturers and parts.
Advanced Assembly & Production Technologies
In order to remain competitive with those "big fish" electronics companies, you need to ensure that your PC boards are being manufactured with the latest and greatest assembly and production technologies. Partnering with a contract manufacturer that utilizes modern machinery, computation devices, and robotics is one of the smartest and most cost-effective means of "keeping up with the Joneses".
Guaranteed Satisfaction
After all has been said and done, the truest hallmark of a superior PC board is the contract manufacturer's ability to back up the design and assembly process. While some companies may sever ties with you after fulfilling an order (leaving you without a warranty or design schematics), the best will believe so strongly in the quality of their PCBs that they will continue to work with you, offering fulfillment services like troubleshooting, and a customer repair and return depot.
You wouldn't ever settle for anything less than the best for yourself, so why would you offer anything less than the very best assembled PCBs to your clients? By understanding what goes into the manufacture of truly superior products, you'll never sell yourself or your customers short again.
