December, 2014
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The Right Manufacturer.... Continued from previous page
computer-aided-design (CAD) circuit files to the Gerber files required for manufacturing PCBs. A designer should seek a manufacturer who un- derstands the risks inherent in the process of converting these files and can help ensure a smooth transition from CAD files to Gerber files. As Bill Conley of FassTech (www.fass -
tech.com) notes: “Since I began using an integrated CAD software tool, the results have far exceeded by expecta- tions.” A truly integrated CAD soft- ware tools can help reduce cycle times and increase the capability to deliver products on time. Smooth, speedy production de-
pends on end-to-end coordination of the right personnel, materials, and equipment. When searching for the best manufacturer, certain questions should be addressed in terms of that manufacturer’s capability to provide fast response times:
l How many boards can the manu- facturer effectively produce in what
amount of time? l
Does the manufacturing floor have around-the-clock coverage in all pro-
duction departments? l
How are production holds handled? l Does the manufacturer have per-
sonnel and equipment redundancy throughout the production process?
The size of a production facility
and its staff will also help to verify a manufacturer’s claims about produc- tion speed. When speed is a top prior- ity, all available information about that manufacturer should be consid- ered to make sure the manufacturer can ship high-quality PCBs in the shortest time possible. PCB designers value manufac-
turers capable of delivering high- quality circuit boards, offer innova- tive ideas during production, and possess the capability to scale pro- duction according to the needs of a project. Manufacturers who offer these attributes are better prepared to grow and adapt with a particular designer’s changing needs. Quality is of the utmost impor-
tance to designers and their cus- tomers. When judging a potential manufacturer, the following questions related to quality should be consid- ered:
l What certifications does the How long have the certifications Is the manufacturer open to Will the Quality Assurance (QA)
manufacturer hold? l
been in place? l
an on-site audit? l
requirements? l
manager be available to discuss Has the manufacturer been first to
market or best in class in categories that make a difference to a particu- lar production project?
If a manufacturer is forthcom-
ing with answers to such questions, a designer can be more confident about that manufacturer maintaining an open dialogue and producing high- quality circuit boards. Finding a manufacturer capable
of innovation is both critical and challenging. In particular, it is im- portant to know how a manufactur- er’s brand of innovation can benefit a particular design. For example, can a manufactur- er cite examples of innovative solu-
Page 31
tions that helped move similar de- signs from the prototype stage to pro- duction. Also, does the manufacturer make it a practice during the proto- type stage to seek cost savings before moving into production? And will the manufacturer offer design guidance that can reduce the complexity of the production for a design, improve the output, and save money on the PCBs? For any company well versed in
creating innovative PCB designs, the key is finding a PCB fabricator capa- ble of providing a leading-edge ap- proach to building those PCBs. An open dialogue with a potential manu- facturer willing to answer such ques- tions related to innovation can help when selecting the right manufactur- er for producing a circuit design.
Searching For Scalability A circuit designer should be as-
sured that a PCB manufacturer is ca- pable of growing as the circuit design- er grows. Scaling refers to more than just a tolerance for higher production volumes. Modern circuit boards are becoming more integrated with time, carrying more functions in smaller board sizes. In the search for the best PCB
manufacturer, certain steps should be taken. For one thing, it can be useful to know if a manufacturer is actively planning and executing a strategy for continuous expansion of its produc- tion capabilities, and the manufactur- er should be willing to share its tech- nology roadmap. Also, the manufac- turer should show some longevity, and be capable of showing how it has weathered industry storms in the past and will be capable of serving a de- signer’s needs in the future. A manu- facturer with a good plan for the fu- ture of PCB manufacturing can be counted upon to produce circuit de- signs now and in the future. When comparing prices from
different PCB manufacturers, cer- tain factors should be considered:
l How long has the company been Is an on-site or virtual tour of the
doing business? l
manufacturing facility possible? If the facility is not at head-
quarters, does manufacturing take place at a satellite location or an off- shore company production facility? If it has neither, it should be deter- mined whether the organization is actually a PCB manufacturer or merely a board broker. By answering these questions, a
designer can better determine how a lower price might impact the produc- tion process. Matching a circuit design to the
right PCB manufacturer is critical to achieving successful production for that circuit board. The vetting process for fabricators hinges on good commu- nication. By having an open dialogue with a manufacturer, it should be pos- sible to determine if a set of design re- quirements can be met by that manu- facturer. Whether priorities focus on speed, cost, innovation, or quality, a manufacturer’s commitment to service will likely be the key to successfully manufacturing a design. Contact: Sunstone Circuits,
13626 South Freeman Road, Mulino, OR 97042 % 800-228-8198 E-mail:
rcatt@sunstone.com and
nviter@sunstone.com Web:
www.sunstone.com r
Our components fit like they were made for each other. That’s because they were.
The exceptional quality found in every Mill-Max Interconnect product results directly from the control we exercise over every step of the manufacturing process. From the receipt of raw materials to the shipping of finished components, each operation is performed in-house to the highest standards for quality and precision in the industry. You can depend on Mill-Max interconnects to mate perfectly and perform reliably… every time. See the whole Mill-Max story at
www.mill-max.com/videos.
Mill-Max is North America’s largest manufacturer of machined-pin interconnects.
WE BUILD
SUPERIOR QUALITY INTO EVERYTHING WE MAKE…
AND WE MAKE EVERYTHING WE SELL.
Maximum Quality.
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