Choosing Your PCB Assembly Experience: Navigate Your Options

Customer Story:

Recently, a customer came to us after a disheartening experience with a PCB supplier. This customer had placed an order with high hopes, but when the boards arrived, they faced a significant issue: over 200 PCBs were missing crucial leadless components. This oversight wasn't just a minor inconvenience but the boards were useless as-is.

The root of the problem lies in communication. The customer admitted receiving several queries from the manufacturer during the production process. However, lacking the technical expertise, not understanding the questions, and facing uncooperative behavior from the previous designer, they chose not to respond, assuming any issues could be rectified post-delivery. This decision, unfortunately, led to the shipment of incomplete boards.

This experience was a turning point for the customer. They realized the importance of working with a company that assembles PCBs and has their back to help them make good decisions instead of filling orders that don’t make sense.

We explained to this customer that we could be their engineering department and rework the boards, salvaging the customer's significant investment. When we started explaining to the customer what they could do the next time they ordered, they cut us off. They said they were not interested in trying to manage PCB manufacturing anymore. They prefer to work on the business and not be distracted by also trying to learn the electronics industry, and so they asked if we'd like the opportunity. We accepted their offer with glee.

This experience highlights the importance of choosing a PCB assembly partner wisely. It's not just about getting the boards assembled; it's about having a team that is invested in the success of your project, ready to provide expertise and support every step of the way.

And so, with this experience, I was inspired to write the following advice:

Choosing Your PCB Assembly Experience: Navigate Your Options

When it comes to PCB (Printed Circuit Board) assembly, your experience as a company can vary dramatically based on your level of expertise and the type of support you require. The key lies in understanding these differences and choosing the right approach that fits your needs. Let's explore two distinct experiences to help you make an informed decision.

Experience #1: The Self-Sufficient Route

The "Self-Sufficient" path is for you if you're well-versed in PCB assembly and have the resources to manage everything in-house. This experience is akin to ordering complex ingredients for a recipe you know by heart. You understand exactly what you need, and you're capable of handling any challenges that arise. These companies will help fix your engineering files so they're conducive to their manufacturing process and avoid upsets, but they won't help when it comes to the design of your product. They're optimized for making the purchasing process as swift as possible, but then you get what you get.

With this approach, you or your team completely control the process, from selecting the PCB manufacturer to managing the entire assembly process. It requires a high level of expertise, as your team is solely responsible for handling all inquiries from the manufacturer and any troubleshooting that may arise. The process is straightforward but demanding; it's an open-loop system where orders are placed and boards are shipped with minimal interaction or emotional investment from the manufacturer. This experience is for those who thoroughly understand their needs and possess the skills to ensure that the design works and excels without expecting additional support or input from the manufacturing side.

Experience #2: The Supported Journey

For those seeking a more guided experience, partnering with an electronics design company with manufacturing capabilities is the way to go. This option is perfect for teams that want the simplicity of placing an order and having experts take care of the rest. You can recognize these companies because they talk about end-to-end services, or custom electronics solutions.

This experience is for those who prefer a more hands-off approach. Placing complex ord