Every electrical or electronic component has a printed circuit board. This is simply a metal plate with the electronic components mounted on top and a series of lines connecting them. Printed circuit boards can be made manually or using a PCB printer. With manual printing, the PCB layout design is printed on a piece of paper and the paper used to transfer the design to the copper board. The unwanted parts of the paper are then removed, leaving behind the layout, which must be covered with vinyl before etching can be done using a special chemical.
PCB layout design is usually done with the help of circuit-maker or other special software designed specifically for this purpose. Whether you want to design a prototype or you want to mass-produce an electrical device, it is crucial you look for the best PCB service provider. The ideal contractor should be able to make the PCBs, install all the components in their designated locations, solder them and test the component to ensure it functions as desired. Be sure to consider the following as you search for the right service provider:
i) Industry Experience
The number of years a firm has been offering PCB design and installation services must be considered. This is because you want to hire the most experienced service providers. By taking time to check the number of clients served over the years, types of projects they have handled and number of components they have been producing in each project, you should be able to find the right contractor.
ii) Fees
When mass-producing components, you want to have the lowest cost of production. For this reason, it is imperative you compare the costs quoted by the shortlisted firms and give special consideration to the most experienced firms. This will go a long way in ensuring you’ll get affordable services. You cannot pick a firm until you are sure about their costs.
iii) Guarantees
You have to compare the guarantees offered by the shortlisted PCB design and assembly firms. You want to get PCBs that are well designed and the components properly-installed. Therefore, you should check the customer satisfaction guarantees offered by different firms before committing yourself.
The reputation a given service provider has developed over the years should be considered. You are looking for the most trusted and most reliable service provider, so be sure to conduct the necessary research before committing yourself.
