Businesses around the country know how difficult it can be to find the right manufacturing company not only for their project needs, but also a manufacturing company that is willing to build a relationship and truly works to understand both the project needs and the company needs to create best short- and long-term solutions.

Finding the best PCBA manufacturing companies is no different from a high-level point of view, but when it comes down to a more thorough investigation, there are considerations to make during your search.

SMTNW’s guide to finding the best PCBA manufacturing companies outlines best practices and key areas to focus on during a search.

Define Project Scope

Before your search can truly begin for a PCBA manufacturing company, it’s recommended to clearly define the scope of your project. PCBA manufacturing can include many topics and specific forms of manufacturing operations, so it’s a recommended best practice to define your project in a few different ways.

  • Define your product type and how simple or complex it needs to be in order to efficiently operate. This can include deciding if it’s a simple industrial control, an LED board, power board, or dense-mixed signal application, as an example.
  • Is this merely a prototype run where consistent engineering considerations and changes are required? Or is this a program launch with a locked in design and stable, long-run production is expected?
  • Depending on the industry you’re in, ensure that your design matches any specifications and regulations. When this is done prior to finding a manufacturing company, it streamlines the discovery process and production can begin more quickly.

How to Narrow Your Search and Evaluate Capabilities

When you have your internal parameters set and ready to go, this allows for the search to more readily begin as your team is better prepared and know exactly what to search for. There are a few ways to start the search, but one of the more recommended options is by utilizing an industry directory. These are valuable resources that allow potential customers to create filters in their search, narrowing down on a manufacturer with considerations toward regions and capabilities as an example. This helps potential customers set up a more defined and organized initial list of companies to work through during their search for their eventual PCBA manufacturing company.

When an appropriate list has been gathered, view technical capabilities of each manufacturing company on your list. This can include a few of the following items.

  • Technology available at the PCBA manufacturing company is critical as it needs to support your design with considerations on conformal coating, selective soldering, and more.
  • When viewing assembly capabilities, it’s critical to gauge smallest available component size, fine-pitch BGA, double-sided BGA, component counts, through-hole and SMT mix, and any reflow profile control.
  • Look for potential equipment lists and inspection capabilities including how modern the SMT lines are, AOI or ICT, and X-ray.

Verify Quality Management Systems and Other Certifications

One of the last aspects to verify during a search is available quality management systems and practices that a PCBA manufacturing company may offer. During the discovery process, inquire with manufacturers about their quality management systems and how they ensure quality in their modules.

For PCBA manufacturers, one of the most important things to look for is IPC certification, which is another globally recognized certification in training operators and inspectors for electronics assembly. And lastly, if your team knows your products are going to go into Europe, finding an American manufacturer that can adhere to RoHS compliance is vital.

End Your Search for the Best PCBA Manufacturing Companies and Contact SMTNW Today

SMTNW has provided customers with technically sound, high-quality PCBA manufacturing services since 1996. While we’re based in Portland, Oregon, our reach goes beyond the Pacific Northwest as we serve the entirety of the United States with our wide span of capabilities including SMT and Through Hole assembly, Selective Soldiering, and much more.

Quality is paramount to our objective and by extension, our customers’. As an IPC certified electronics manufacturer, we have proven a demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects in tandem while providing clear documentation on all components tied to our customers modules, builds, and projects.

Contact the team at SMTNW and end your search for a PCBA manufacturing company.