If you've been thinking about soliciting the help of a third party PCB assembly manufacturer, you're not alone. Many small and medium sized electronics businesses are realizing how beneficial it can be to partner with a contract manufacturing service, both as a means of saving money and improving the quality of their finished products. Despite the fact that there are many such contract manufacturing services, though, it's important that you are aware of what to look for before partnering with another company. This will ensure that you get the most bang for your buck, and preserve the integrity of your boards, enabling yourself to move forward and grow. If you're not sure how to go about reviewing your prospects, take a look at these "dos" and "don'ts" to selecting a PCB assembly manufacturing service.
Some businesses make the mistake of turning their eyes overseas when looking for a contract manufacturing company. In many cases, offshore companies will charge less money for PC board assembly services, but there's a reason for that. Offshore companies don't always adhere to the same safety and labor standards that we value in the United States. Counterfeit parts may be utilized in order to shave off costs and cut corners. This could compromise the quality of your devices, and even make you liable for lawsuits. As a result, it's best to keep your sights on qualified American companies.
To reiterate the last point, you should never contract with a third party PCB assembly service based on price alone. Remember that you get what you pay for. If there's a business that's offering you a bid that is either significantly lower or higher than its competitors, something is probably wrong. It's best to look at all of the merits of a company before making a decision.
How long has your prospective contract manufacturing company been in business? And how long were its owners and employees working in the industry before the business was first established? This will give you an idea about how passionate your potential partners are about the craft, and their ability to please and retain their customers.
It's always a good idea to ask a PCB assembly manufacturer to provide you with references to customers who have been satisfied with their work in the past. This will allow you to ask about the quality of the boards designed and produced by the company, as well as the timeliness with which they handled the jobs given to them.
Take the time to investigate how your contract manufacture goes about designing and assembling boards, and what types of machinery and equipment are being used as this will impact the quality of your devices.
Right now, you may only think that you'll need to work with a PCB assembly manufacturer to assist you in quickly and efficiently turning out batch orders to meet your customer's demands. But just because that's what you need in the moment doesn't mean that you won't desire or require further assistance down the road. As a result, it's smart to look for a contract manufacturing company that can also help you with design services, as well as troubleshooting and repairs down the road, if need be.
Never give your business to a contract manufacturing service that isn't up-to-date with the latest industry standards for safety and quality. Be sure to ask about the company's credentials before signing any contracts. A good company will be happy to offer proof.
There's no reason for you to ever settle for anything less than the best. By following these tips, you can find a PCB assembly manufacturer that is as passionate about helping you to develop a superior product as you are.