Assuring quality from a PCB manufacturer requires several critical factors: certifications, testing standards, and manufacturing expertise. Good PCB manufacturing companies maintain high levels through certifications, which range from ISO 9001 on quality management to IPC-A-600 on rigid printed board requirements, specific to the manufacture of PCBs. Certification serves as proof that a manufacturer is committed to the production of products with consistent quality, repeatedly abiding by defined standards. This is important to note, given that approximately 30% of electronic failures are due to defective PCBs.
Other reasons to believe in a manufacturer include the quality testing capabilities. These include comprehensive testing, such as Automated Optical Inspection or AOI, for spotting surface defects as small as 98%, and also catching issues that might affect performance, such as solder paste misalignment or microcracks. Other methods used by manufacturers to ensure electrical connections and functionality include flying probe test and in-circuit testing. More sophisticated manufacturers also run additional tests for reliability, including thermal stress testing, which puts boards through high temperatures to ensure they will last. These quality checks ensure that every PCB is to spec and will function properly under many different conditions.
Quality can also be a factor in production speed and consistency. The most consistent production houses hit their lead times without fail, getting prototype boards to customers in as little as 24 hours and minimizing delays for full-scale production. Indeed, industry data illustrates that 40% of designers base their assessment on lead time when assessing pcb manufacturer. In fact, timely delivery can realistically affect project timelines. Making the deadlines and demands without sacrificing quality builds trust and reliability with the manufacturers, something very important in such industries where delays could mean affecting the launch of products or delivery of services.
More hallmarks of a quality manufacturer are transparent communication and pricing. This includes all the cost details for materials, labor, and testing to such an extent that clients will understand where their investment is going and know that cost-saving measures will not compromise quality. Providing technical support during and after manufacturing is added value on the part of manufacturers who guide clients through design adjustments or troubleshooting issues to avoid costly redesigns or failures.
In other words, the certifications and testing capabilities ensure lead time reliability and transparency in process, thereby making them a very viable source of quality boards. These qualities undergird the commitment to consistent standards, making this manufacturer a reliable source in manifold industries that need dependable PCB performance and durability.