Turnkey PCB Assembly

Choosing turnkey printed circuit board assembly is a great solution for any business. With this option, our professionals will gather all necessary parts and components as well as assemble the PCB. This PCB assembly solution is cost-effective and helps save time as we will ensure we have everything we need for the proper build.

Kitted/Consigned PCB Assembly

For those who know exactly what they want in their PCB, but perhaps don’t have the time or equipment to assemble, kitted printed circuit board assembly is a perfect choice. You can purchase all of the components and parts you want and need, and our experts will use each when assembling the PCB. This can help you have better control of production costs and know what to expect with the completed printed circuit board.

Combo PCB Assembly

Perhaps you have a few components you know you want to use in your PCB, but still need some parts to complete your PCB electromechanical assembly – that’s where combo PCB assembly comes in. You supply us with the parts and components you have, and we’ll supply anything you still may need, and professionally assemble it all together. This option still allows you to have some control of the production costs, as well as control over your most important components combined with the ease and time-saving capabilities of the Advanced Circuits team completing the work.

To learn more about our available PCB assembly options, view our quote order process page, or contact us today.

The PCB assembly process is critical to get right the first time. A single misstep here could result in malfunctions, lack of functionality, or even the threat of accidents. In this post, we’ll cover some of the most important PCB assembly process steps and what you should know.

It’s Not Board Manufacturing

First and foremost, understand that the PCB assembly process takes place during a specific time in the development of an electronic device. It’s not about manufacturing – that happens first. For instance, at Advanced Circuits, we’ll manufacture the board itself, including all the required layers, creating the traces, and all the other important steps, and then work on PCB assembly.

In short, PCB assembly is the process of bringing everything together into one place and creating something functional out of multiple components. It’s taking that newly manufactured board, adding components and resistors, and then making sure it does what it is intended to do.

Understand the PCB Assembly Technologies

Assembling a printed circuit board requires more than just the raw components and a well-designed board. It also requires the right technology. In this case, there are several options to choose from, and each brings something different to the table. For instance, there’s surface mount technology (SMT), as well as manual soldering, and the use of pick and place machines.

While some PCB assembly processes will require just one technology, others will require a combination of two or more technologies. For example, many boards require the combination of through-hole technology (THT) and surface mount technology. Understanding when, where, and how to integrate those technologies is a critical consideration when choosing a company to handle your project or production.

It’s also important to understand that the PCB assembly steps involved with the various technologies differ, as well. Below, we’ve outlined some basic steps involved, as well as how they differ from technology to technology.

The PCB Assembly Process: An Overview

• Solder Paste: If you’re following a traditional PCB assembly process, the first step is the application of solder paste. Note that this is not the case with THT, but SMT does require paste application and/or printing.

• Component Placement: In the traditional PCB assembly process, the next step is to place the components on the board. This can be done manually, or it can be done with the assistance of machinery (pick and place systems). In THT assembly, components are placed by hand, which requires incredible precision. In the SMT process, robotic systems place components on the board. Note that automated placement is far faster than manual placement and is just as precise.

• Reflow: In the traditional PCB assembly process, the next step is reflow, which is when the solder is first melted and then resolidified. The board and all its components move through an oven, which heats the solder, liquifying it and ensuring that connections are formed before the board moves into a cooler, where the solder is cooled.

Note that the THT process does not require reflowing solder. Instead, the second step here is to inspect the board and rectify component placement. This is due to the manual placement process – a visual inspection in conjunction with a design transport frame helps ensure placement accuracy.

In the SMT process, reflow soldering takes place at this time, as well. The board is sent through a furnace, which melts the solder paste, allowing it to flow as necessary, before the board passes through a series of coolers that gradually bring the temperature down, solidifying the solder on the board and cementing the components in place.

• Inspection: The next step in the traditional PCB assembly process is a visual inspection of the board, soldering, and components. Note that this step has already occurred in the THT and SMT processes.

• Through-Hole Part Insertion: The traditional process requires that through-hole insertion be done manually, after the reflow and inspection process. Soldering is also often done manually, but it may be done using wave soldering.

Wave soldering occurs during the THT process at this point, as well. The entire board moves over liquid solder and then moves through coolers to solidify the solder.

Note that there is no correlating step in the SMT process (it is actually already finished, and wrapped up after just three steps, although a visual inspection should still be conducted to ensure accuracy and to reduce the potential for errors).

• Final Inspection and Cleaning: The final step in the traditional PCB assembly process is a final inspection of the board, the solder points, and the components, and a cleaning to ensure that debris or excess solder is removed.

The Right PCB Assembly Process for You

While the SMT assembly process is faster and often more accurate than either the traditional PCB assembly process or the THT process, it is not always the best option. For instance, if you only need a single prototype board assembled, the THT method might be the better choice. Each situation varies and there is no single solution that will always work for every need.

At Advanced Circuits, we understand that needs, budgets, and goals vary. We pride ourselves on offering exactly the solutions each client needs. Whether you’re producing a single prototype for proof of concept needs or you’re ready to move into full production with thousands of units being produced, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation or to learn more about our services and capabilities.

Know Your Goals with the Printed Circuit Board

Before you start to design the PCB and long before it can go through the circuit board assembly process, you need to be sure that you know what the board needs to accomplish. Different types of boards may have different functions. Some might be relatively simple, while others may need to handle more functions. Those who have complex needs from their boards will likely need to use multilayer PCBs. This will allow for more functionality in less space.

Take the time to determine what the goals are for the board before beginning the design. Designers will find that having a solid plan in place even before heading to the software will help to keep them on the right track.

Sometimes, the design that you create will not work as intended. It’s always better to find this out in the early planning and designing phase rather than when the boards are being printed. Take the time needed to perfect the design. A good plan and the right software will help with this.

Use Quality Software

When designing the boards, you will want to be sure that you are using quality software that is made specifically for PCBs. Good software can help to make the process of designing easier, and some programs will even offer the ability to check the files before they move to the circuit board assembly process. They can find errors, and some software can fix certain errors to make your work easier.

If there are potential problems with the design, you can go back into the software and make the needed adjustments before you move to the process of circuit board assembly. This helps you save time since you won’t have ordered a prototype that doesn’t work and then try to figure out why. Once you are certain that your board is in good shape, you can then get a prototype or have a large number of the boards manufactured.

Generally, you will want to have prototypes done first. Order just a single board, or a few, and test them out. See how they work, how they stand up to different situations, etc. This will let you know if you need to do any further design work before moving into the manufacture and circuit board assembly phase.

Of course, many will worry that prototypes will be difficult to get because some manufacturers do not want small orders. When you work with Advanced Circuits, you will not have to worry about this since there are no minimum orders. We also provide an engineering check to ensure it will work, and you can use our free software to design the boards.

Hire a Professional for Manufacturing and Assembly

After you are certain that you have a circuit board with a good and usable design, it is time to assemble the boards. However, you may not want to attempt this on your own. Consider just how much time and space it will take to perform circuit board assembly, even for a few hundred boards. If you have thousands, it will be next to impossible for you to do on your own unless you already have a facility dedicated to production.

This is not the case with most designers, so it makes more sense from a logistical and financial perspective to work with professionals like Advanced Circuits. If you were to try to set up an assembly facility of your own, you would need to have additional space and likely additional employees. Also, there would not be a guarantee that the circuits were working properly.

You need to have a manufacturer that has the space, expertise, and tools available to manufacture the circuit boards. Outsourcing the circuit board assembly is typically the best option. Of course, you can’t entrust your boards to just any manufacturer.

Why You Should Work with Advanced Circuits

You now have a better understanding of why you will want to work with professionals and why you need to have a quality design to start. It is time that you connected with Advanced Circuits. Our company is the third-largest printed circuit board manufacturer in the United States.

On our site, you can download our free software for designing your printed circuit boards. This helps to make the process of designing faster and easier. This is not just some simple software, either. You will find that it is a professional-grade software that has more features than many paid programs. It is easy to use and it includes a free online file check that lets you look for any manufacturing issues that might be present before going into production.

Advanced Circuits is known for being reliable and providing quality PCB fabrication. Additionally, we are financially stable, which means you will not have to worry about the company going out of business.

We are known for using quality materials, providing reliable PCBs, and having a fast turnaround time. Our experience helps to ensure that the boards are made and assembled correctly and that they reach you quickly. We also have around-the-clock tech support, so you can always talk to an actual human when needed.

If you need professional printed circuit board assembly, it is time that you got in touch with us. We have the means and the expertise to help you get what you need quickly and easily. Check out the software, get a quote, and get your boards faster than you might believe.

Advanced Circuits has the capabilities, the technology, and the expertise to provide you with just what you need.

A Fast Turnaround Time

Advanced Circuits has more than a quarter of a century in the field of circuit boards. The company can provide unbelievably fast turnarounds for high-quality, premium circuit boards as well as prototype boards. When you choose to use the company, you will find a host of benefits that help to make it a solid choice all around.

One of the best features, which is not offered by many of the other manufacturers, is a huge production area. This means that all of the work done on the PCB from manufacturing to assembly can begin and end right at the facility, rather than sending the PCBs elsewhere for completion. The company is one of the few options that are capable of manufacturing and assembling circuit boards and shipping them out the same day or the next day.

However, it is not just a fast turnaround time for the circuit boards that help to make the company a good solution.

Plenty of Support

You will also find help through each step of the process including access to PCB Artist, our free PCB design software. This means that even at the design stage of the process, there are tools that can help you to get the design from idea to production very quickly. The software has a components library with more than half a million parts and it provides more features than even many of the expensive pieces of design software that are on the market today.

Those who might already be using their own program to design the circuit board will still be able to use FreeDFM, which tests the manufacturing quality of the design, for a Gerber file check. This helps to highlight any issues that might be in the design and it can even fix some of the issues automatically. Users will be able to generate a report that will highlight any of the issues that might be present. This allows you to make those changes quickly and easily so you can get your design into manufacturing.

The support goes well beyond just the software and the file checker, of course. There are team members who can provide you with a quote for the circuit board based on the design specs. Once you are sure the board is working properly, there are members of the team that can help with the final production phases of the board all the way through the assembly phase. To make the service even better than is a full CAM review that will take place before the manufacturing starts. This helps to ensure that the design is what is needed and that there aren’t any mistakes. In addition, there are visual inspections of the circuit boards that have been produced.

Tech support is also available. Anyone who has created a design for a circuit board knows that it can be beneficial to have an extra set of eyes on it to make sure it is working properly. There might even be a few questions that you will want to have answered before you finish up the design. Thankfully, the tech support that is available will ensure that you have support around the clock to help troubleshoot any issues. In fact, it is even possible to get in touch with a CAM engineer 24-hours a day.

Even the pricing is nice and clear. There aren’t any setup fees or stenciling fees, and you will find that there are no hidden costs. This ensures those who use the service will know what they are paying. It doesn’t matter if you have a large order that needs to be completed or if you have a small order of just one prototype. Advanced Circuits has you covered. When you work with us, you are essentially choosing a one-stop-shop company that can take care of all of your circuit board needs.

It’s Done In-House

In today’s world, so many aspects of so many companies are outsourced. However, with Advanced Circuits, the work is done at the premises since it is not a broker. There is no outsourcing for different elements of the production. By keeping everything at the company from the testing through to the production, the amount of time it takes to go from start to completed product that’s been shipped is reduced. In addition, costs can be reduced since everything is streamlined and done at the premises.

Who Should Consider It?

Those who are already in the stage to move on with manufacturing and are sure they have a great, workable design will find that Advanced Circuits is a stellar option. Even those who are still in the beginning stages and are looking for quality software to help them design the circuit board will find that it’s a great choice. From start to finish, no matter the size of the project, this is a company that can deliver results.

Given all of the benefits that are available, it only makes sense to choose Advanced Circuits. It’s affordable and customers can get instant quotes. You can even track your orders, which will arrive a lot faster than many people anticipate when it comes to manufacturing PCBs. If you want the best quality available for your circuit boards, Advanced Circuit is a trusted choice!

Why should turnkey PCB assembly be a challenge? There are many steps involved. Just consider a few of them:

• Initial design
• Output to design for manufacturing or DFM checks
• Film creation
• Mapping of copper paths
• V-scoring
• Testing, and all of the phases between and after

Not surprisingly, any firm that offers same-day turnarounds for turnkey PCB assembly seems like an impossible thing, but at Advanced Circuits, we offer just that, and more.

A One-Stop Turnkey PCB Assembly, Design and Shipping Shop

We offer more than 25 years in the circuit boards industry and rank among the largest of the one-stop solutions for manufacturers in need of prototypes, stencils, supplies, and turnkey PCB assembly. We operate within a facility that includes tens of thousands of square feet of production space and offer clients a turnkey PCB assembly system that includes everything from design testing and submission to packing and shipping.

We offer clients such vital services and options as:

• One day PCB – We are one of the few PCB makers that can manufacture and assemble circuit boards and ship them out in as little as a single day.
• Full support – Unlike many other manufacturers, our team works with orders of any size, every step of the way. We begin with a quote based on initial design uploads, and take a project to final production and turnkey PCB assembly phases.
• Quality – Our design process is not of the “no-touch” variety where the designs are sent in and run into production right away. Every single order (whether one-off or thousands of PCBs) gets our full CAM review, as well as visual inspections of the final circuit boards produced.
• Transparent pricing – Also unlike many other producers, we do not ask for stenciling fees, setup fees, and other hidden, but ultimately unnecessary, charges on turnkey PCB assembly projects.

We are truly a one-stop system, ensuring a seamless process under one roof. Clients’ orders or projects remain in the hands of our engineers from beginning to end, and even before, as we have 24-hour service offered by authentic CAM engineers who take questions at all hours. Without any outside vendors (we are not a broker) and with production and full turnkey PCB assembly in a single space, there are almost no risks of delays, problems, and mistakes.

What We Include in Turnkey PCB Assembly

The speed and ease offered by a turnkey PCB assembly team are invaluable, but we also make some incredibly handy resources available too.

• PCB Artist Software – The cost of PCB design software is part of doing business, and it can be a huge expense. Advanced Circuits’ clients enjoy free use of our proprietary design software (an industry best) in an unrestricted format and entirely for free. It downloads to the desktop (Windows only at this time) and offers up to 28 layers in a single design. The program has over 500k parts from which to choose, integrates a controlled auto-router function to speed up design processes, and offers multi-page schematics for more complex projects. With a complete library of tutorials to train those using the program, there is almost no learning curve and even if errors are made, there are steps to the turnkey PCB assembly process that catch mistakes before
• Ordering through the software – When a client runs the proprietary software available through the site, we also provide them with a discount for ordering through it at the same time. Designs still get a CAM engineer review and crucial checks for errors, too.
• FreeDFM – For those already using a CAM program, turnkey PCB assembly is still supported by this design testing option. Files are imported as Gerber files (industry standard) and then loaded to the online software. This will review the entire file, correct any problems, and generate a report indicating changes or potential problems.
• No minimum orders – Whether a client needs a prototype or a large run, there’s no worry about minimums, ever.
• CAM Engineer Evaluations – All products are evaluated by one of our in-house engineers long before production begins, to spare clients any costly mistakes.
• Customers get authentic tech support – We go beyond basic customer support and offer turnkey PCB assembly clients the opportunity to troubleshoot with the help of a CAM engineer available 24 hours a day.
• Premier shipping – Any turnkey PCB assembly orders come with the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING in the industry, and we are now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we ship Standard Spec orders on time or they’re FREE!

No Outsourcing with Advanced Circuits: We Proudly Produce & Stand Behind Our Work

It is a frustrating truth that most manufacturers face the risk of outsourcing on almost anything they use or buy. Outsourcing is no longer limited to customer service and other phone service options alone, and if it is turnkey PCB assembly that is in question, the risks of trouble increase with outsourcing. From errors or flaws in the design process, to manufacturing glitches that result in wasted money and time, it is unwise to look to brokered or outsourced solutions for a turnkey PCB assembly process.

Working with Advanced Circuits means buyers get the kinds of hands-on results that are so important and desirable. With us, all circuit board designs pass through a series of rigorous examinations long before production begins. We are not a broker but are instead a reliable one-stop solution; making everything in-house, eliminating production problems and supplying turnkey PCB assembly and results required for success.

Around the world, it is becoming more important than ever for electronics companies and parts manufacturers to eliminate harmful materials from the PCB assembly and fabrication processes. Just as initiatives in the United States require companies to eliminate certain materials like lead, there is a need for suppliers and electronics makers to adopt high standards no matter where they operate. According to a report in Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine, non-government organizations worldwide are pushing for worker and consumer safety standards to be raised by eliminating harmful materials in the electronics industry.

By working with printed circuit board suppliers that use high-quality materials and processes free of harmful chemicals, your team is able to ensure that contamination risks in the environment and community are reduced. Research the materials used and capabilities of your PCB manufacturer so you have all of your regulatory needs met every step of the way.

What Are Your PCB Assembly Requirements?

As you go through the PCB design process, it is important to keep track of the special requirements your project has for fabrication and assembly. Certain components, tolerances, and types of microvias all play a role in how your order is handled and processed. Additionally, finding the most efficient way to maximize space and performance on your circuit boards allows your end application to achieve its potential without leaving unused potential on the table. In order to accomplish this, it is smart to consult with a circuit board expert to ensure that you get the PCBs needed without unnecessary delays in your order. Contact a representative at Advanced Circuits today for more information.

Benefits of Working with a PCB Manufacturer Dedicated to Safety & Quality

•  We are not a broker. We have our own 62,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing facility (Headquarters in Colorado) to provide the quality consistency you need,  along with two other highly specialized facilities in Arizona and Minnesota with expanded capabilities for rigorous demands and unique criteria.
•  We have the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry, and we are now shipping a large portion of our orders early!
•  Get instant online quotes, order/reorder, upload files, and even track your order status online 24 hours a day.
• Excellence in quality from the simplest designs to the most advanced printed circuit boards and large-scale production.
•  Advanced Circuits Exclusives: Industry’s BEST Free PCB Layout Software (PCB Artist™) and Free PCB File Review and graphical error report – manufacturability review delivered within MINUTES! (FreeDFM™).  Same day and weekend turns available!
• PCB Fabrication and quick turn, small quantity assembly services – all under the one roof and as quick as one day!