PCB Technical - 9 things to ensure for the initial PCB production project

When you are manufacturing printed circuit boards. Especially for the first time, it seems that it will be a long and arduous journey to reach the final design. Whether it is related to the basic knowledge of micro-management of solder. Copper or handle specific design details, such as layout design using via or through-hole technology. You need to make sure that everything is suitable for your initial PCB production project.

If this is your initial PCB production project, a slight error will cause you to waste a lot of time and resources in the manufacturing process. Then we provide you with nine things to make sure your first PCB production goes smoothly.

Size profile/design ratio

If you plan to make sure that your first printed circuit board production goes smoothly. You need to make sure to get the size profile or design proportions. Having excellent dimensional outlines or design ratios will enable you to produce printed circuit boards that meet market needs.

How small or big do you want your printed circuit board? Is there any specific location to place the audio jack? Before starting initial printed circuit board production, some of the most common design-scale characteristics that you may want to consider include wiring characteristics. For example, vias, traces and connectors, as well as the physical layout of all components on the board.

Similarly, depending on what you are going to build, you need to consider multiple form factors, such as rigid-flexible combinations, multilayer flexible, or organic electronic products. There are many software settings to help you with the initial printed circuit board design. The first impression is always the most lasting. Therefore, to ensure that your initial PCB production project comes out normally, you need to pay attention to the design scale. If the size outline or design ratio is not perfect, you may produce a batch of printed circuit boards, and these printed circuit boards will not be satisfied when your customers use them for the first time.

Mounting holes

All printed circuit boards have some plated through holes for connecting opposite sides of the inner layer of the printed circuit board. The mounting of the shaft allows the designer to mount the PCB to the surface or housing.

For starters, mounting holes seems to be a simple process, such as choosing a screw size that fits the size of the circuit board or the surface they intend to mount it on, and then proceed with the corresponding drilling. However, most of the time this is not the case. Make sure that everything goes well when you first manufacture the PCB. You need to make sure to get all the information about the mounting holes directly.

When it comes to mounting holes, some basic things you need to consider include the mounting hardware you intend to use and the PCB aspect ratio. For example, the larger the aspect ratio, the more challenging the electroplating. In fact, using substandard software will cause you to produce low-efficiency circuit boards that are not suitable for service.

Check all parts

For novices in PCB manufacturing, outsourcing of parts or components used for PCB production is a common situation. Most beginners start on a small scale, so it may not be easy to manufacture all the components needed to manufacture a PCB. For this reason, the best option is to outsource PCB components.

Unfortunately, many first-time PCB manufacturers fail to check carefully to confirm that all parts are there. Failure to carefully check the parts can have a negative impact on the initial PCB production project. If there are missing parts, as a first-time producer, you will encounter production delays and unable to produce circuit boards at the agreed time.

Component label

Label components have many benefits, especially those used to make goods. You can characterize the working supply chain through accurate inventory and fast transactions, which is why professional-grade component labels must be used.

The same is true in the manufacture of printed circuit boards. To ensure that you beat the competition, you must ensure that all PCB components are labeled. Put the correct labels, especially when you are manufacturing printed circuit boards for the first time, you will be better able to ensure that they are manufactured quickly and correctly.

When you find errors, you will be able to implement changes quickly, and don't forget that you will achieve superior efficiency in the supply chain. If you outsource parts, you need to make sure to label them correctly, because not all suppliers label their roles in the same way.

Talk to your PCB manufacturer and assembler first, not last

When planning the design of a printed circuit board, you may have referred to a variety of resources.

We encourage you to discuss your circuit board design with the printed circuit board manufacturer. We also insist not to forget to use the services of your assembler as a resource, because they can provide you with valuable information throughout your manufacturing process.

But how, you may ask. By talking to your assembler first, you will get advice on effective PCB design, new industry trends, and product technologies for assembling and manufacturing PCBs.

Best to create and manage your PCB manufacturing and BOM files

Whether you produce rockets or toys, in the end, you will realize that creating and managing a manufacturing bill of materials (BOM) will help you accurately manage and monitor resources. This will allow you to avoid waste or unnecessary expenditures.

The bill of materials can provide you with accurate information, which will greatly help you make informed decisions to produce goods cost-effectively. This is also true when dealing with your first PCB production project. To ensure that waste is avoided, you may find it very suitable for creating a better BOM and properly managing BOM files.

Safely test your PCB prototype before assembly

A prototype is an early sample of a product built to test the behavior of the final idea. If you (especially as a first-time PCB manufacturer) want to avoid losses and other costly errors in the final product you release to your customers, you must conduct PCB prototype testing.

Bare PCB, it may also include PCBA, depending on what you want the PCB factory to do for you. This is why you should choose a PCB factory that produces your PCB prototype testing. First, you must clearly understand that the final circuit board will determine whether you will be considered a reliable manufacturer. Due to recalls and product failures, failure to test your PCB prototype will eventually cost you a lot of time. It will help if you make prototype testing a top priority when considering full-scale PCB production.

Consider possible risks and how to respond or control

Risk assessment is a vital task, and companies willing to remain relevant must consider it most of the time. Hazard identification will help you avoid costly mistakes, not only in your workplace, but also when it comes to the manufacture of printed circuit boards.

To make sure you get things right the first time, you must make sure to consider the possible risks and how to deal with them. Some of the potential risks in the PCB manufacturing process include warpage, short circuit, cracking, contamination and delamination, to name a few. In this way, you will respond to or control such risks to achieve profitability and excellent first production.

How your CM (contract manufacturer) can help

The idea behind contract manufacturing is to help customers get rid of some of the most onerous projects while letting another independent party handle everything. An aspect that can help customers save a lot of money and time.

In the manufacturing of printed circuit boards, as a first-time manufacturer, you can save a lot of time and money by seeking the services of a contract manufacturer. Contract manufacturers will come in handy, especially when you cannot handle challenging tasks or manufacture certain components.