another way to manufacture a PCB assembly is to drill holes on the board in the appropriate place and overlay the aligned electrical components, then solder them on the leads for a more durable assembly. Because this method is more time-consuming and labor- intensive, it’s also more expensive. However, using through-hole technology is the most durable option and recommended for high-current or extreme working conditions.

you provide the raw materials to the supplier who handles all of the assembly. In some situations, you will want to control the materials, or already have contracts in place with suppliers. Labor-only PCB assembly manufacturing allows you to outsource assembly, keep costs down and free up production capacity. Not all PCB assembly manufacturers provide this service, so be sure to ask upfront.

Once you know what your needs are, conduct an online search to find 3-5 potential PCB assembly partners.

Then begin your “apples to apples” comparison, starting with experience and capabilities.

For every potential PCB assembly partner on your list, ask:

• Does the manufacturer have experience in your industry?
• How long has the company been in business? 
• What other services does the company offer?
• Which type(s) of technology do they have experience in (surface-mount, through-hole, or both)?
• Which size boards do they work with? 
• Does the PCB assembly partner have the right equipment to do the job? (mounting technology, board layers, board size, coating, washing, AOI, etc.)
• Does the supplier outsource the assembly?

Confirm each prospective company doesn’t outsource printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs)! Outsourcing the printed circuit board itself (without all of the electronics) is completely fine, since the “brains” are what happen during the assembly part.

Product quality and regulatory compliance are the most important elements of the end product, so be sure your PCB assembly manufacturer has the right testing and control measures in place, including:

UL certification is crucial for any electronic component to ensure the product has been tested for fire safety standards and obtained the appropriate UL94 flammability rating. 

For PCBAs, your supplier should also have obtained certification for the UL796 standard, which applies to rigid printed wiring boards and flexible printed wiring boards used as components in devices or appliances. VCC’s UL certificate number is: E520330. 

Depending on your target market, additional certifications may be required, such as REACH, RoHS and CE.

Getting your custom PCBA installed so you can go to market faster is a crucial element of success. Speed can be impacted in several ways, including:

• Complexity of the design – of course, the more complex the assembly, the longer it may take to produce. Note: not every supplier has the capabilities or equipment to handle highly complex projects. Be sure to ask the right questions about capabilities early on. 
• Quantity needed – running small batches could help save time if you have a short timeline for partial delivery. Confirm that your supplier will accommodate smaller runs. 
• Your supplier’s capabilities – Our in-house capabilities and state-of-the-art PCB manufacturing equipment allow us to perform custom PCB design services and delivery in as little as one month. 
• Location & logistics – location of the facility is crucial, at it impacts:
  • Shipping / delivery times – if products must arrive via ship, those delays must be accounted for. North American manufacturers deliver products faster via truck and don’t have the added risk of customs backlogs. Be sure to check your prospective partners’ history for on-time delivery, too.
  • Communication – when the design and manufacturing teams are based in North America, there are no significant time zone delays when communicating for feedback and approvals.

Go beyond reading company websites to determine what real customers have experienced — from customer service to quality and support. 

• See what other customers have to say – check out the company’s reviews on the website, social media, and other channels.
• Determine if there’s a single point of contact – having one person to reach out to with all communication can help streamline and avoid things getting lost in the shuffle.
• Ask to review project management processes – when it comes to PCB assembly services, the procurement process should be simple and transparent.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to your final list of potential PCB assembly manufacturers, request quotes for your project. Then compare how each prospect stacks up in all the areas that add up to successful PCB assembly:

Now that you’ve done the homework and compared the PCBA manufacturers on your shortlist, it’s time to select the right partner for your project. You should have a good idea of how the process will work and what’s required for kickoff and next steps. 

For example, getting started with VCC looks like this:

Our design service process begins with understanding more about your lighting challenge. We will set up a meeting to understand your project, goals, and key objectives for your project.

As soon as we know your needs and understand how we can help you, we will provide you with a statement of work (SOW) for your review. The SOW will clearly state our deliverables for example:

We quickly uncover your exact needs by asking the right questions and thinking of everything up front.

• Light modeling
• Connector installation
• Cable crimping 
• Harnessing
• Final product assembly
• Manage UL certification process
• Supply chain optimization

A single point of contact will guide you through our proven, tested and ISO-certified approach from start to completion.