How to choose the right PCBA manufacturing partner
There are hundreds of electronics manufacturing companies all competing against each other to build your products. How do you choose the best PCBA manufacturing partner for your needs? Here’s some helpful tips –
Quality Standards
As a minimum, it is important to select a partner who puts quality first. Electrica is accredited to ISO9001:2015 and has an in-house IPC trainer. All production staff are certified to industry-recognised standards IPC-J-STD-001 (Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies) and IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronics Assemblies). This ensures that all products are manufactured to the highest levels of competence and consistency.
Continuous Investment
Can your supplier demonstrate investment to ensure you remain ahead of the competition? Assemblies are getting smaller and more complex, meaning investment in new technologies and processes is critical. Electrica has a policy of continual investment. In a recent customer survey, the company achieved an average score of 4.85 out of 5 in the category ‘Evidence of Continual Improvement / Investment’ providing a high level of confidence for customers.
Technical Capability
Does the supplier you are evaluating have the experience and technical capability to build your products? Maybe some of your latest designs or products in the roadmap are likely to be more complex or are to be used in mission critical applications? If that is a possibility, search for a partner that can manufacture to IPC-A-610 Class 3 and can place all different types of components with their automated placement machines. Electrica has over 20 years’ experience with different types of substrates, placements of BGA and µBGA and components down to 01005. In addition to this, the company offers rapid prototyping, full batch traceability, cable harness assembly and conformal coating.
Cost
It’s unlikely that the cheapest quote will result in the best quality product. Electrica has a robust Quality Management System (QMS) and a strategic focus on quality, rather than quantity. The company monitors on time delivery and returns rate and is an example of best practice in the industry, working with most customers from initial concept to ensure the prices offered are commercially viable for all parties.
Technical Support
Can your supplier assist with designing your products? Electrica can take a concept and turn it into reality. Talented in-house design engineers use Altium PCB Designer and Solidworks for 3D CAD modelling. Electrica also offers in house software/firmware development using C, C#.net, Android and assembler (PIC) amongst other languages.
Test/Inspection
You will need to be confident all assemblies have been fully tested and inspected before you take delivery. Does your potential supplier invest in these areas? Electrica has the very latest in 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) and in-house design engineers support with JTAG and functional test rigs.
Financial Stability
Beware the company offering much lower prices!
Electronics manufacturing is very competitive, and margins are being driven down but it is important that your supplier will still be around to support your products for the foreseeable future.
Electrica is a financially strong business and prides itself on paying suppliers on time. We aim to be around for the long term and would be delighted to discuss your requirements.
Ready to take your project to the next level? Contact Electrica today to learn how our expert PCBA manufacturing services can bring your vision to life with precision and quality
