Custom PCB assembly is one of those unique advantages that every company needs. Here are 10 tips on how to get started with custom PCB assembly for your business and what is going to be PCB assembly cost. If you want to start a career in PCB assembly and build a PCB manufacturing company, read these ten tips and go for it!
Study PCB Design Tools
It is very likely that you will need to develop your own printed circuit board (PCB) design file before having the final components and materials ready. You may even be designing your own PCBs from scratch or using a third-party vendor. In any case, familiarise yourself with common EDA software tools such as Altium Designer, Eagle CAD, OrCAD Capture CIS/CIS LX, Mentor Graphics PADS Layout, Cadence Allegro/OrCad, etc. The better understanding you have of this side of things(PCB design), the more informed decisions you will make in the PCB assembly process(when you know what components go where on your board).
Test Run
It is very important to do a test run before mass production. A few things need to be tested, such as how many PCBs can fit inside a common static bag or antistatic bag, and whether the PCB will hold within the machine (pick and place) once it has components placed on it. If you are not ready for this step, there could be problems in mass production when dealing with hundreds of boards at once!
Quality Control
QA QC testing needs to happen even before building the first prototype. Ensure that both programming pins and mechanical parts needed for mounting exist prior to producing any single unit. By doing this, you will save yourself from having to stop production runs just because one piece is not available.
Waste Control
Waste should be minimized to an absolute minimum by using stencils and re-usable solder paste. The key features of a good stencil are “zero waste” and “perforation”. If zero waste is desired, after each use, the unused solder paste must go back into its original container for later use. At the same time, perforations allow excess solder paste to flow away. During soldering steps, it is often the case that what goes onto the board does not always come off so easily! During the PCB assembly process, ensure that any tools used to remove excess material (such as old drill bits or perforated blades) can be easily and thoroughly cleaned with isopropanol.
Set Up The Right Equipment
In the custom PCB assembly process, there are four main areas of equipment required. If you don’t have them all, they can be rented; the important thing is not to forget to plan for each one! Stencil Printer (for applying solder paste) Reflow Oven (for soldering components) Pick and Place Machine (for placing components on PCBs) Solder Paste / Components
Keep Things Clean
This is very important for Custom PCB Assembly services. Of course, this point isn’t meant literally but it’s the number one tip for any Printed Circuit Board Assembly job – keep things clean! All tools used should either be disposable or easy to clean including tweezers, cleaning wipes, etc…
Keep A Clear Paper Trail
You will need to be able to prove that you have been following the correct process from beginning to end. This is especially important in electronics assembly because there are many factors that can go wrong, so it’s advisable to keep a record of all stages clearly documented.
Stay Organized
When dealing with hundreds or thousands of PCBs at once, being organized and well prepared can save a lot of time.
Get Familiar With Sourcing Components
It is not always possible to buy all components needed for a PCB design locally. Sometimes sourcing parts from a supplier on the other side of the country, or even another continent, may be required [in this case, it is wise to make sure you are familiar with the supplier].
Learn While You’re At It!
The thing about any custom PCB assembly process is that there will always be issues. If you spend time learning the ins and outs of every aspect of manufacturing, then you’ll find yourself better prepared should anything go wrong. Even if everything goes perfectly to plan, at least part of the challenge has been met!
Conclusion:
If you’re looking to start your own custom PCB assembly, the steps which we have mentioned above are also followed in the china PCB assembly factory. We hope these 10 tips for custom PCB assembly will help jump-start the process.