7 Steps hOW TO PLACE PCB Order

Printed circuit boards, better knowns as PCBs, are used in electronic devices and machinery to connect and support electronic components using conductive tracks, pathways, or signal traces attached to a non-conductive substrate.

Because of the growing demand for PCBs in the market, there are thousands of companies offering PCB services all over the world; making the choice of which company you should trust to fulfill your PCB needs can seem like a daunting task.

From the research necessary to make an informed choice to the last step of receiving your PCB order. PCB fabrication may seem like a complex matter. However, with the correct information and guidance, you can become an expert in everything PCB, including Gerber files, RoHS, exclusive services, prototyping, hobby design, etc.

7 Steps for PCB Order

Here is all you need to know about how to place a PCB order, from the beginning to the exact delivery date. .

Step 1: Evaluate Your Needs

As you might already know, many PCBs are available in the market. However, PCBs do not have one size that fits all. This means that every PCB that is built is customized and has a specific purpose in mind.

Even if you don’t want to get one made for yourself, you need to know precisely which one at the store will be helpful to you. Therefore, you must get in touch with the technical engineer at your facility to understand which type of PCB is required to increase the functionality of the plant.

Step 2: Look for PCB Manufacturers and Assembly Services

PCB manufacturing has recently become one of the fastest-growing industries. This is because of the increasing dependence of populations all over the world on electronic devices. A PCB is an essential component of these electronic devices, boosting demand. Moreover, each PCB has unique parts that are mounted on a circuit board in layers.

Smart entrepreneurs quickly stepped in and took the opportunity to snatch as much market share as possible. Therefore, there is no shortage of PCB manufacturers and assembly services in the market. You can look for them online through a simple search and contact companies for more information. See the list of top PCB manufacturers and PCB assembly service providers below to narrow down your options.

  1. Rayming PCB and Assembly

Offering one of the best services in the industry for a low-cost, RayMing prides itself on entirely in-house operations. This allows the customers’ involvement through every step of the production process, from the order placement through the fabrication of the printed circuit boards to delivery. Rayming possesses more than 89% of the capabilities that a PCB manufacturer and PCB assembly service provider requires.

It is one of those companies that places great emphasis on customer satisfaction as well as the quality of the board, ensuring the customer always gets what they want even if the business ends up making a loss in the end. Rayming offers prototyping, testing, partial turnkey design, and much more of the highest quality possible.

  • Zhen Ding Tech

Zhen Ding Tech is one of the most innovative, creative, and efficient PCB manufacturers out there. The company has garnered popularity for combining the art of PCB design with artificial intelligence, 5G technology, the internet of things, and the internet of vehicles. This allows the company to offer customized solutions.

Moreover, Zhen Ding Tech has also broken down the production process into smaller steps to achieve greater efficiency. The research and development department at Zhen Ding Tech is always at its A-game and continuously working to develop newer solutions to serve customers better.

 Another company that makes delivery quality the utmost priority is Kinwong. They encourage customers to work hand-in-hand with the PCB designers to ensure that all of their needs are.

As both parties work together throughout the process, the resolution of issues is immediate and smooth. Kinwong has experience in telecommunication, medical and industry, and consumer electronics for PCB production.

  • Gultech

Gultech is one of the companies that take it one step further with their intent to solve customer problems. They focus on inquiring about the customers’ needs, some of which are highly peculiar. Coming up with innovative ways to solve these issues is what Gultech takes the most pride in.

They have experience of more than a decade, and customer satisfaction is their utmost priority. Their service is fully reliable and serves as a one-stop shop for all your PCB needs. They will customize one for you if you can’t afford some of their products. They will make sure your needs are satisfied while staying within your budget.

  • Newtriunion

One of the oldest and most prominent manufacturers of printed circuit boards in China, Newtriunion is an industry leader. Whether batch production of PCBs or customized per order, Newtriunion delivers nothing but excellence. They operate from a more than 49,500 square meters facility with automated circuit board production and cover everything from design to the final delivery of the products.

They emphasize researching the most innovative designs and the most efficient ways to execute them. They also offer silver-plate printed circuit boards, giving them a competitive edge.

 Step 3: Evaluate Your Budget

Once you decide to outsource the production of a PCB for your business or personal use, you have to look at how much money you can spend. It boards come in a wide variety, single-layer, double-sided, multi-layer, and much more.

Additionally, you can obtain a partial or fully fabricated turnkey, customization, or buy off-the-rack. Depending on your needs and your budget, you will need to make an informed choice about the worth of your purchase, keeping in mind the opportunity cost of the money you spend.

Step 4: Place Your Order for PCB Fabrication

While each company has its websites and terminology for receiving and processing orders, the basic concept is the same across the board. The first thing you will need to do is contact the service provider; this can be done through the company’s website or by talking to a customer service agent.

Step 5: Prepare and Send a Gerber File

The next step will be creating and sending in a Gerber file. PCB manufacturing companies use a Gerber file to transform the design into a final product. You can create one yourself, outsource it or let the company producing the PCB handle it themselves. Once the Gerber file is received, the company will develop a prototype for testing.

Step 6: Review and Test the Prototype For PCB Quality

The purpose of a prototype is to replicate a final product and test it for full use so that issues might be identified and fixed. Ask the PCB company to provide a prototype you can take to your facility and test in real time. It is essential to review and ensure that the prototype is tested in the same scenarios it is designed to be used for later so there is no room for error later.

Once the prototype is tested and issues are identified, you should send your feedback to the manufacturer to fix the errors. Once they are, the company will deliver the final PCB to you and install it, depending on the package you have availed. You can accept or reject the prototype depending on its functionality.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Efficient Operations

Once a new, specially designed PCB is installed to support and connect your electrical components, you will notice greater efficiency in the functionality of your plant or device. Additionally, you will save time and achieve greater motivation for your human resource. this method of placing orders and purchasing a PCB for your home or business.

A Final Word on PCB Fabrication and PCB Services

Deciding when and what type of PCB to get for your business or home can seem like a daunting task. However, with the right guidance and information, you have nothing to worry about.

All you need is some research into the companies that offer these services, contact them and make an informed decision about which one you want to trust with your PCB needs. Once you have made that decision, the best companies will deliver the most high-quality finished product that will work wonders for the operations of your work or home. The most important aspect is communication between you and the company you choose to manufacture your PCB for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why Do I Need A PCB?

A printed circuit board connects all your electrical components to a board designed to mechanically support them. Using a PCB significantly reduces the risk of an electrical malfunction, short circuit, or any other electrical hazard at the workplace, home, or factory.

  • What Is the Minimum Order for A PCB?

There is no minimum order for a PCB unless the company is a mass manufacturer and only produces in bulk using the same PCB design. There are multiple PCB manufacturers and assemblers that provide one-off services. Customized PCB orders are especially only made as singular units based on special requirements according to all the information provided by customers.

  • Can I Make My Own Gerber Files?

Gerber files contain the design of the PCB that manufacturers need to in order to manufacture a PCB meeting certain requirement. You can create your own suitable Gerber files, hire an external designer to do so or let the manufacturer handle everything including the Gerber files and PCB fabrication.

PCB assembly is the process of putting together the different electrical components onto the board. This can be performed by the manufacturer of the PCB or an external assembly company

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