Advice for having a prototype board made

15 May 2013 Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services

Everyone likes the idea of fast prototypes and some PCB manufacturers have special lines for prototyping, but the PCB assembly companies typically cannot keep up. In their defence it must be said that they are keen to service the prototype market but they do not like to break up a job which is running on the pick-and-place assembly line. They treat prototyping as a ‘filler’ and will slot it in when it suits them best.

What can you do about it? Firstly, you need to ease their pain in running your PCB by using the components which they have in stock and, if possible, which are on the pick-and-place machine already. You cannot do this with all components, but it works with minor capacitors and resistors.

Should you provide components to your PCB assembler then do so in a reel, tray or stick, rather than as loose parts in a bag. If it is a reel then make sure it has 30 cm of blank length with no components. A full reel of 5000 components will often cost less than the assembly time for 30 components on a10 cm long strip. Full reels require less labour compared to hand assembling 30 components.

Next question is, what about a stencil? You can order a stencil while the PCB is being manufactured or you can choose an assembler with an automated solder dispensing option. Dispensing is about a second per pad, but beats the cost of a stencil if there are less than 7000 pads.

If you make it easy for your PCB assembler he will charge you less and is more inclined to put your job in between others.

Digital Data Systems is able to manufacture prototype boards within 24 hours.

For more information contact Rolf Ludwig, Digital Data Systems, +27 (0)11 791 5947, [email protected], www.ddsystems.co.za

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