The prototype circuit board industry has experienced explosive growth in recent years. With standard technology typically single lamination, via hole, four, six, eight, and twelve-layered boards within a day to a week, a fast, single-layered prototype can be just as rapid. However, even a quick, single-layered prototype can only be as rapid as the data you’re working with and the specific technology you’re working with. If you want to speed up your prototype circuit board production, it can be done, but you will need detailed knowledge of how to do so.
Prototype circuit boards are designed to test and manufacture components that will ultimately be sold in small quantities to customers. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for small companies or hobbyists to receive these materials and try them out on their equipment without fully understanding the potential issues they could have with these components. This is particularly true when dealing with older equipment that may have had more than its fair share of handling experiences. Often, such problems occur due to component resistance to electrical current, which is commonly caused by oxidation in exposed components.
During your PCB prototype board creation process, you’ll need to buy, test, and assemble the components. If you plan on selling the finished product to others, you must make sure the pieces you order will be compatible with their equipment. For instance, many PCB manufacturers sell hardware designed to work with their equipment, but they use different-sized drill bits. The PCB manufacturer might sell an expensive bit, but it won’t work with your company’s equipment, so you would have to change the drill bit size or order a new batch. To avoid this issue, always purchase your PCB components from a manufacturer who offers a wide variety of drill bits that will work with the equipment you’re working with.
After you have completed the planning phase of your prototype PCB assembly, the next step is a fabrication. Most small businesses that produce their own product will have someone else do the fabrication work for them. If you plan on doing the fabrication work yourself, there are a number of things that you should know before starting. First, you should know the basics of electronics and circuit design. Next, you should learn how to read and write PCB assembly files.
Finally, you should have enough confidence in your skills to conduct a quick turn PCB fabrication operation. Many small business owners are intimidated by this task, but the truth is that it is very easy to do.
