Improving Product Quality Through PCB Prototyping

Developing and manufacturing pcb prototypes of your printed control boards
is an essential step in supporting a new or upgraded product launch. It is
important to test your circuit boards with pcb prototyping before you
begin full production to ensure they perform at the standards required.
Quality assemblies should be manufactured in compliance with IPC
acceptance standards.

There are two ways to produce printed circuit board (PCB) prototypes. One
uses hand-built assembly techniques. The other employs a surface mount
technology (SMT) production line.

Many product designers and pcb prototype manufacturers choose a
higher-volume production method because it more closely simulates the
final manufacturing process. Using an SMT production line has many
advantages.

SMT manufacturing can typically accommodate smaller components, and do so
at a much higher density. Components can be placed on both sides of the
board and are less likely to be disturbed by vibration. And you can
produce many prototypes quickly and efficiently. These boards can house
multiple layers and offer a higher level of complexity. From a testing
standpoint, having more prototypes gives you a better understanding of any
issues that may occur before final production.

Hand-built boards are useful when time or resources are limited. When
hand-built prototypes are deployed and tested, they may not be as robust
and therefore may not display some of the problems that can occur once in
full production mode. They tend to be less complex designs and may not
withstand the rigors of testing. Manual production, however, can be done
quickly, and variations can be produced to test different configurations
and functionality.

The role that good pcb prototype manufacturers play in product quality
cannot be understated. Getting the right prototype printed circuit boards
developed will bring so many benefits to your next project. A few of them
are:

  1. Changes In Design
    When you create a prototype, you’ve given yourself a tangible vision of
    what your finished product will be. If the design doesn’t seem like it
    will work for you or your clients, you can take the time to make the
    necessary changes.
  2. Troubleshooting
    It’s a nightmare scenario: You have a high volume order and spend a lot of
    money and time on production, and realize too late – after your PCB’s have
    shipped – that they won’t meet your client’s specifications. Even with
    testing, it’s possible an error can be overlooked. But with a prototype,
    the PCB can undergo demanding tests to make sure it will work the way it
    was designed to work.
  3. Quality Assurance
    When you create a PCB prototype, you are helping to ensure your final
    product will meet the highest standards and perform efficiently. With
    advances in technology, PCBs are constantly evolving. Creating prototypes
    guarantee you are using the most efficient, up-to-date technology in your
    PCB.
  4. New Product Testing
    If you’re introducing a brand new product to clients, it makes sense to
    create a prototype. New products need testing and revisions before going
    to the final stage of assembly, and having a prototype can allow you to
    avoid problems before production begins.
  5. New Manufacturer Testing
    If you’re considering a company in your search for a PCB manufacturer,
    have them build a prototype according to your specifications. This will
    let you gauge how well they listen to your requests, the quality of their
    work and how much they might cost.

Mars International’s SMT line provides value to customers by creating
prototypes to support early-stage tests of new designs. Our assembly line
is RoHS compliant, and everything we manufacture will meet IPC-A-600 and
IPC-A-610 acceptance requirements at a minimum.

Contact one of our customer service managers or project managers and let
us help you get started on your next project.