CAM – Advanced Circuits | PCB Manufacturing & PCB Assembly https://www.4pcb.com/blog Printed Circuit Boards and PCB Assembly Manufacturer Blog Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:57:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Free Resources and Tools Make Circuit Board Design Easy and Error-Free /blog/free-resources-and-tools-make-circuit-board-design-easy-and-error-free/ Mon, 22 Jun 2020 18:22:01 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2191 Continue reading ]]> Circuit board design is essential in the modern manufacturing process as almost every electronic device uses a PCB (with or without surface-mount technology). And yet, the process of making a PCB is rarely thought of as fast, easy, or without some risks, delays, and errors. If it were just a matter of circuit board design, it would be one thing, but there are many different steps to PCB design.

For instance, there is the initial circuit board design process. Then there are processes like film creation, mapping of copper paths, and V-scoring and testing. This is why promises of same-day production or turnaround are greeted with skepticism and raised eyebrows. However, Advanced Circuits is able to deliver on same-day turnaround times, flawless design, and more.

Single-Space Circuit Board Design and Production Plant

It is rare to find circuit board design solutions in a single facility or space. However, Advanced Circuits has over 25 years in the circuit boards industry and ranks as one of the largest one-stop providers. Specializing in circuit boards and prototypes, we have a comprehensive set of services and solutions that include:

  • One day PCB production: Among the only PCB providers capable of manufacturing and assembling circuit boards in a single day, we have the ability to provide circuit board designs of great complexity in a short amount of time.
  • Full support: Unlike many other manufacturers, our team works with you every step of the way. We begin with a quote based on initial design spec uploads and guide you through to the final production and assembly phases.
  • Quality: With free design and testing resources, clients can be assured of the overall quality of the product they will receive. However, a full CAM review is done before any manufacturing begins, as well as visual inspections of the final circuit boards.
  • Transparent pricing: There are no hidden fees or sneaky pricing that covers essential services, including stenciling fees, setup fees, and other unnecessary charges.
  • One-stop solution: Circuit board design benefits immensely from seamless design, review, and production options. With everything happening under one roof, it means designers and engineers are on-site to evaluate and remediate when necessary. It means no risk for errors, delays, and costly problems.

After Circuit Board Design Comes Evaluation and Production

Of course, circuit board design is not all about production. Yes, speed and efficiency are amazingly beneficial, but only if the initial circuit board design is all it is meant to be.

This is something Advanced Circuits understands. We add value to customers’ experiences and outcomes with such services and benefits as:

  • No minimum orders: No need to lock a huge segment of the budget into meeting the financial demands of minimum orders on simple to complex circuit board designs with this substantial option.
  • CAM engineer evaluations: All products are evaluated by one of our in-house engineers long before production begins in order to spare clients any costly mistakes.
  • Free design software: The cost of PCB design software is part of doing business. Advanced Circuits offers proprietary and exclusive PCB Artist software available in an unrestricted format and entirely for free. It downloads to a client’s Windows-based desktop and is capable of 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 no reason not to take advantage of it.
  • Free evaluation software: For those already using a CAM program of their own, the option for FreeDFM allows the manufacturing quality of a design to be tested. The files are exported in a Gerber format and loaded to the online software, which reviews the entire file, corrects any glitches, and generates a report indicating changes or potential problems.
  • Full tech support: While it’s great to have customer support around the clock, few PCB firms offer their clients an opportunity to troubleshoot with the help of a CAM engineer. Advanced Circuits has experts of this kind available 24 hours a day.

Going Above and Beyond for Your Success

Another benefit of working with Advanced Circuits is that it is possible to use our available resources and then order through the free software. Rather than downloading and re-uploading, it is possible to simply use the software options and then run an order through at the end of the review and correction process. The CAM engineer review is always done, regardless of the channel used to order, and there is always a discount for making an order directly through the free resources.

Not everything has to be outsourced or complex, and your circuit board design and production don’t have to involve multiple companies that put you at risk for error. When there are such easy, free, and comprehensive solutions, the risks are erased, money and time are saved, and production schedules guaranteed.

Partnering with Advanced Circuits means designers and producers get a unique experience marked by attention to detail. This is different from the “no-touch” approach that so many circuit board design firms are forced to work with. Demanding pre-tested files, they just run the project “as is,” jeopardizing the budget should there be undetected errors. The team at Advanced Circuits runs each circuit board design through expert examinations long before production begins.

Your One-Stop-Shop for PCB Design Needs

Why work with a broker when there is an option to pair up with one-stop specialists? We offer some of the fastest turnaround times and the best on-time shipping record in the industry.

Printed circuit board design does not have to be a gamble or a process that involves all kinds of back and forth between designers and producers. Whether you want a one-off or prototype with a fast turnaround time (even a single day), or you are looking for a solution that integrates design, testing, production, and assembly in one space, you’ll find it here at Advanced Circuits.

 

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Turnkey PCB Assembly Made Easy /blog/turnkey-pcb-assembly-made-easy/ Fri, 24 Jan 2020 17:37:39 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2100 Continue reading ]]> Any firm that uses PCBs knows that quality is the most important factor. It is the PCB that runs whatever gear or object it has been fitted into, and so a well-made PCB is essential. Yet, many of the firms using PCBs want a streamlined solution, and so a turnkey PCB assembly process is highly appealing. Unfortunately, this is hardly a fast or rapid process.

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.

 

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Surface Mount Technology in PCB Manufacturing Made Easier than Ever /blog/surface-mount-technology-in-pcb-manufacturing-made-easier-than-ever/ Fri, 17 Jan 2020 23:16:52 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2097 Continue reading ]]> SMT, or surface mount technology, is essential for most of today’s printed circuit boards (PCBs). Almost every higher-end device enjoys the benefits of using surface mount technology, which include:

  • Offering many more capabilities – The weight of a PCB that uses surface-mount technology, instead of labor-intensive and error-prone drilling and soldering means that the capabilities are improved. The era of shrinking devices means that the capability to create PCBs smaller and lighter than ever is a major advantage.
  • Saving time and money – The time and complexity of drilling is eliminated when surface mounting can be used instead.
  • Using automation – It makes sense to leverage the ability to mass-produce PCBs that retain performance and quality, and surface mount technology is one sure-fire way to do so.

Not all manufacturers have the ability to offer their clients surface mount technology in their design, manufacturing and assembly processes. However, Advanced Circuits has made certain that buyers can utilize our long list of free resources and amazing tools to put surface mount technology to the greatest use possible.

As a leading name in prototyping and PCB production, we provide buyers with a diversity of resources for all SMT production. We have SMT Solder Paste Stencils available as part of a NEW complete prototyping stencil kit for those who want to do one-off or “by hand” SMT manufacturing and design. Yet, we also have our remarkably advanced design tools that allow for integration of SMT designs.

Surface Mount Technology-Friendly Resources Enable Production

To begin, when a client uses existing Gerber-file designs, or other PCB design programs, the outcome of the production is never left “up in the air” as it might be when a “no-touch” approach is used. This is a serious problem with outsourced or brokered designs in which the schematics are taken and run. Instead, any orders received undergo a mandatory engineering file review before the fabrication process is started. This identifies unusual or even typical glitches in the designs and ensures that a client’s time and money will never be wasted by design flaws or manufacturing flaws or avoidable errors. This also ensures production schedules remain on track.

Other Advanced Circuits surface mount technology-friendly tools include the following free resources:

PCB Artist – Customers of all skill levels appreciate the 100% free access we provide to this innovative PCB design software. Provided as an unrestricted copy of the software, it is capable of up to 28 layers and includes more than 500k parts, a controlled auto-router function, multi-page schematics, and surface mount technology features. Easy to use and 100% free, it is also noted throughout the industry as the very best PCB design tool.

FreeDFM– This software enables clients to run a free and fast design assessment. It works easily and simply and ensures files feature all essential data, automatically corrects some issues, and provides an easy to read and use report. Whether a design features surface mount technology or relies on drilling, it will be as error and glitch-free as possible after running through this feature. Using it also comes with a discount on the work if the designs are submitted through the software. This software converts to Gerber format, takes only minutes, and issues a quote, discount code and link to the PDF of the results.

We proudly make all of our standard and traditional client services readily available to custom clients, too. That means any SMT order will also get that CAM engineer review that ensures that a design of even great complexity will be evaluated and adjusted.

And while this alone is enough for most clients to feel confident and comfortable with an order through Advanced Circuits, there are other services and benefits to partnering with us for PCBs with or without SMT technology. They include:

  • Not a broker – We never sub out our work but instead count on our top of the line, 62k square foot facility and team that guarantee the kinds of quality and speed most want but cannot always receive.
  • No minimum orders – There are no minimum lot requirements, meaning that clients are not forced to invest in huge orders with more PCBs than might be needed. Prototyping is an option – even with SMT features.
  • 24-hour support – Customer service around the clock: this features live tech support that allows design teams to speak directly with a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night.
  • No tooling charges – When an order features Standard Specifications, we are glad to waive tooling charges and always cancel such fees on reorders of Standard Spec as Custom Spec items.
  • Best shipping record – Advanced Circuits has the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry, and is now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we say we “put our money where our mouth is . . . and we ship Standard Spec orders on time or they’re FREE!”

We also point out our decades of stability as a wise reason to work with us. After all, with more than 25 years in the field, and a tremendously healthy bottom line, we are among the most stable providers. We have a vast and fully-capable plant offering design, production, assembly and shipping services, and we emphasize efficiency at all levels.

As a client, you also enjoy the use of a personalized client page. Here you can look through past orders, see the specs and details, look at quotes from other jobs, and even review hold notices, test certifications, and a long list of other helpful reports.

One-Offs or Thousands of PCBs: Advanced Circuits Delivers Unrivaled Quality

The use of such a streamlined process as surface mount technology should never come with punitive pricing and complex or risky production requirements. Clients should be able to send in designs and have them expertly reviewed and corrected, rather than crossing their fingers with a “no-touch” approach to manufacturing. Advanced Circuits takes prototypes and one-offs as seriously as we do batches of thousands of PCBs. Clients can feel confident that basic to complex jobs will be done quickly, efficiently and as fully-supported as needed.

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Toss the Prototyping Board – PCB Fabrication Is Easier and More Affordable Than Ever /blog/toss-the-prototyping-board-pcb-fabrication-is-easier-and-more-affordable-than-ever/ Fri, 03 Jan 2020 17:07:58 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2087 Continue reading ]]> The use of a prototyping board might be a fun thing for the DIY scientists and creators in the world, but building a “one-off” project is pretty labor-intensive. It involves the use of that “breadboard” or prototyping board, a schematic, and all of the steps that are required to build the circuit board from scratch. Kynar wires, wire cutting and stripping tools, a core solder and paste, tweezers, magnification, and patience!

Yet, turnaround times, costs, and one-off capabilities have not been available to the average designer…at least, not until now. While the professional level fabrication of circuit boards doesn’t involve the prototyping board but instead takes many steps (design, DFM checks, film creation, mapping of copper paths, and all of the way to V-scoring and testing, among other steps), it can now be done on the same day!

Advanced Circuits has turned PCB design and manufacturing on its head, and has made the classic prototyping board look as out of date as the Model-A Ford does to the Tesla.

A One-Day and One-Stop PCB Opportunity

With more than 25 years in the circuit boards industry, Advanced Circuits has real-time capabilities that ensure anyone eager to make a single board or conduct an experiment prior to marketing a design or concept can do so quickly and flawlessly. We have thousands of square feet of production space, we offer clients an in-house PCB assembly system from start to finish, and we can also provide:

  • 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 – including items that would once have required someone working in a lab using their outdated prototyping board.
  • Quality – Most in the modern PCB industry approve of Advanced Circuits’ design resources, the company’s inspection process that begins with a full CAM review before any manufacturing begins, and the services that include visual inspections of the final circuit boards.
  • Clear pricing – Also unlike many other producers, we do not ask for stenciling fees, setup fees, and other charges.
  • Comprehensive support – Our team works with you every step of the way. We begin with a quote based on initial design uploads and then work with an order of any size (one to one thousand, or more PCBs) to final production and assembly phases.

We are an authentic “one-stop” and often “one-day” shop, with a completely seamless process under a single roof. Whether it is a single board or an array of options, everything remains in the hands of the company’s designers and engineers. Don’t worry about outside vendors looking at a concept or messing up a design, and also don’t worry about delays, problems, and errors. Advanced Circuits’ in-house production and assembly make these risks a non-issue.

Amazing Resources Well Beyond Replacing Prototyping Boards

It is great to toss that prototyping board, but there are even greater benefits for clients of Advanced Circuits. As noted, we impose no minimum orders, making us an ideal solution for  small to mid-sized producers or designers. We make design nearly foolproof thanks to our  “eyes at all times” approach, and our remarkable resources for clients to use free of charge. We include:

  • Free Design Software – The cost of PCB design software is part of doing business, but the Advanced Circuits PCB Artist software is available in an unrestricted format and entirely for free. It is a free download (Windows only at this time) and is capable of 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 no reason not to take advantage of it (and the discounts given to clients who opt for the use of either free software). It makes the use of that prototyping board unnecessary.
  • Free Evaluation Software – For those already using a CAM program of ours, use of FreeDFM allows any design to be tested. The files are exported in a Gerber format and the entire file will be reviewed. The software can correct any glitches and generate a report indicating changes or potential problems. Troubleshooting the flawed prototyping board is now a permanent relic of the past.
  • CAM Engineer Evaluations – All products are evaluated by one of the in-house engineers before production begins in order to spare clients any costly mistakes.
  • Clients always have access to tech support – Our around the clock customer support includes the help of a CAM engineer, and these experts are available 24 hours a day.
  • Ordering through the software – When a client runs the proprietary software available through the site, they also have the choice of ordering at the same time. They still get that CAM engineer review and checks for errors and get a discount code as an incentive.

Everything is done in-house – from customer service to final production. This eliminates most of the problems in the design process. Why remain an advocate or user of prototyping boards and breadboards when the resources from Advanced Circuits are available? With them, clients enjoy the same kinds of hands-on attention they might in a real-world lab. Production is never outsourced. Evaluation is never outsourced, and there are no risks as there are in the “no-touch” approach used by a lot of fabricators (who want to receive your pre-tested files and get to work).

Rigorous Quality Checks & Premier Client Support

We do rigorous examinations of a design before we begin. We are never a broker that sends the work elsewhere. Rather, designers and clients enjoy a one-stop answer to their circuit board needs, and troubleshooting is part of the equation. This is one of the biggest benefits to those who would otherwise use the clunky prototyping board option. Instead, it is free design tools, free testing, and one-day manufacturing of even a one-off item.

We are quick turn specialists with some of the fastest turnaround times and shipping. In fact, Advanced Circuits offers the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry, and is now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we ship Standard Spec orders on time or they’re FREE!

Clients who want to toss the prototyping board and enjoy a flawless design process full of support and even corrections and adjustments that guarantee success, rely on Advanced Circuits!

 

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Printed Circuit Board Design Is Never One Size Fits All /blog/printed-circuit-board-design-is-never-one-size-fits-all/ Mon, 16 Dec 2019 22:52:48 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2069 Continue reading ]]> PCBs or printed circuit boards have been in use for a long time and they are in demand across a diversity of industries, especially electronics of all kinds. Though many consumers assume that circuit board design is a uniform matter without a lot of changes or innovations, those in any part of the industry know that there is always room to improve, streamline and redesign according to need. Unfortunately, the costs associated with circuit board design can be a bit prohibitive to some, and so they do not try to make their own modifications or changes, settling for something ill-fitting or less than desired.

After all, prototyping means designing something new, having the unit made, addressing flaws or design issues, and only then sending it into production. There is always the risk that a design flaw might be overlooked, and working with subcontractors can actually increase such concerns. All of these factors are why so many people will avoid the entire process and stick with a less than desirable solution. Settling for a stock or standardized design, however, is not a forward-thinking approach.

The good news is that there is no such thing as one size fits all circuit board design. Advanced Circuits, a top industry manufacturer, offers an array of resources capable of empowering firms with even limited budgets to upgrade, customize and enjoy flexibility. Of course, it helps to have a bit more clarity on just what is available generally before delving into the options in custom printed circuit board design.

The General Options in PCB Design

A simple or basic list of the options for PCB design include:

  • Single Layer
  • Double Layer
  • Multi-Layer
  • Rigid
  • Flexible
  • Flex-Rigid
  • High-frequency
  • Aluminum-Backed
  • Full Spec
  • LDI
  • Oversized
  • Heavy copper
  • and more

Clearly, this means an array of production capabilities has to exist and come in at the right price and quality points to meet such a diversity of potential needs or designs. Advanced Circuits can supply almost any type of production capability and facilitate premium circuit board design that goes along with it.

Optimal Circuit Board Design from Advanced Circuits

In addition to there being such a diversity of PCB types, there will be many design needs. For example, printed circuit board design may involve only a single layer, or it might be two-sided, but the complexity of modern electronics may necessitate up to 28 layers incorporated into a design, and each layer will require synchronous interaction. This means there is always room for error in circuit board design, and the option for multiple sets of eyes and various levels of expertise may prove remarkably beneficial and cost effective.

Because of that, Advanced Circuits has created a system of tools, resources and services that are all meant to facilitate optimal circuit board design. The resources and services include:

  • Expert advice – In addition to classic customer support, our team includes access to CAM engineers 24-hours each day. Customers are able to phone in design and engineering questions and have them answered by a professional engineer.
  • Expert Reviews – CAM engineers also conduct a thorough review of each design as it is about to enter into the production process. This is a final check and guarantees that there are no issues that might lead to a negative outcome.
  • Full and free design support – In addition to expert engineers, Advanced Circuits offers industry best software meant to enable superior design. PCB Layout Software – PCB Artist features a library of more than 500k tools and components that can be built into designs of up to 28 layers. It can control auto router functions, multi-page schematics, and more. It is offered in an unrestricted format, meaning it comes at no cost but allows top-of-the-line design options.

After that, clients are able to use the FreeDFM program, which requires an export to Gerber file format and upload to the Advanced Circuits website. Once that fast and easy process has been completed, the client can enjoy a full evaluation of the PCB design. A report is emailed to the provided contact and it explains which flaws were discovered, remedied and what were targeted as potential showstoppers, but left in place.

As any professional knows, PCB design is the key factor in the whole process. A single error makes a prototype a failure or an entire batch of PCBs useless. It could lead to enormous wastes of time and resources. Yet, the entirety of the process does not begin and end with design. There are other factors that impact whether or not printed circuit board design is as successful or effective as it could be.

A lot of it has to do with the approach the producer takes to the process. Advanced Circuits ensures that its clients experience a process that empowers their success, from the design phase to assembly. This means that we:

  • Keep it in house – Our enormous production facilities are Advanced Circuits’ way of proving commitment to the entire process. We are able to work with design files and a team of engineers that ensure files are complete and appropriate to the client’s goals. However, we also handle fabrication and assembly on the premises, too. While so many modern manufacturers are “no touch,” we are most distinctly hands-on and manage every aspect of a project.
  • Comprehensive website – The ease with which clients can get the tools needed and then use them effectively is only one part of our service. We also provide instant quotes, unique client pages where previous orders and simple reorders are possible, stencils, file uploading, order tracking, and “through software” orders. Design something using the free PCB Artist software, and order it once it has cleared the CAM or free evaluation services. This also gives clients a discount on any standard spec orders.
  • Tooling fees – Many manufacturers impose a tooling fee on standard spec orders, but clients can count on a fee-free process with Advanced Circuits. Even if a custom spec orders is re-ordered, the tooling fees are cancelled out.
  • No minimum orders – Budgets are protected by Advanced Circuits’ no minimum order requirements, and whether it is a single board with a single day of turnaround time or a huge order, the quantity is in the hands of the clients.

Advanced Circuits Removes the Challenges in the PCB Production Process

The PCB design and production process is full of potential challenges and issues. Advanced Circuits clients receive their specific designs without breaking the budget, slowing production times or wasting resources. Whether clients need one PCB, small batches or larger orders, Advanced Circuits can produce quality printed circuit boards to client requirements.

To get an instant PCB quote and learn more about our quick turn capabilities, review our standard and custom spec PCB page.

 

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Tips for Optimal PCB Manufacturing Results /blog/tips-for-optimal-pcb-manufacturing-results/ Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:31:04 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2066 Continue reading ]]> PCB manufacturing can be both straightforward and simple as well as complex. It all begins with the design process. In fact, that is typically the crucial part of the entire PCB manufacturing outcome because a single, undetected glitch can result in a batch of useless and unusable boards, wasted time, lost resources and even lost sales or customers. It is why a concise understanding of how to enjoy optimal PCB manufacturing results through the use of a premium vendor and top-notch resources is so crucial to success.

No Touch PCB Manufacturing Leads to Disaster

The modern world has made a sudden and rather massive shift into the online, mobile, and web-based model. As an example, in the past, PCB manufacturing meant a company would usually pay a visit to a PCB manufacturing facility or headquarters to work directly with the team designing or making such crucial components. The fabricators and the client would have to interact several times in order to guarantee that there were no design flaws and that the entire project (from prototype to batch manufacturing) proceeded exactly as expected.

Today, this is a far outdated system and for many companies in need of small to large batch PCB manufacturing, the process involves overseas and no-touch providers. If domestic, it might still mean very little interaction and the guarantees that such exchanges bring. It might even be that the PCB manufacturing and assembly are done in different locations or by different providers.

This can prove quite problematic because it might mean that client expectations are left unmet or even unknown by the manufacturer. It can mean that errors in design go unnoticed until the post-production period when the PCB is meant to be put to use in the final product, but fails to yield the results necessary. And this would mean that the batch of PCBs is unusable; production would be halted, and budget and resources wasted.

Fortunately, the team at Advanced Circuits has created a system and perfected it over the course of more than twenty years. Offering PCB manufacturing – fabrication and assembly, prototypes, and more, we can facilitate projects from start to finish while overcoming many of the potentially harmful issues outlined above.

Free Resources Ensure Fail-Proof PCB Manufacturing

Advanced Circuits proves that the advent of technologies that make everything possible through the Internet instead of real-world exchanges may not be a bad thing. We manage this by using a system of free and effective resources that enable clients to get the very best in PCB manufacturing outcomes, and all done entirely online. Here’s how:

  • PCB Artist Software – Free to download and use in its unrestricted format, this industry-best software has more features than anything else on the market, and yet it is also provided in an unrestricted format with more than 500k parts and components in the customized library. Using it also means that some preliminary glitches are erased and that design is streamlined through the presence of a controlled auto router function, digital schematics, and more. Additionally, the use of the software allows clients to enjoy discounted pricing when submitting as a Standard Spec order through the program.
  • File Review Software – Our FreeDFM software is another free to use resource that takes the common Gerber file (exported from the client’s software and then uploaded to the site), where it then evaluates a design and ensures that all essential data is included, adjusts or corrects design flaws, and issues a report that itemizes any potential showstopper errors, and identifies what the software was able to address and fix.
  • CAM Engineer Review – Before any PCB begins the production process, the designs and/or prototype are reviewed in house by a team of Advanced Circuits’ CAM experts. Advanced Circuits also features live tech support provided by these same CAM engineers at any hour of the day or night, which allows clients to pose any questions or concerns and get a skillful and well-informed answer.
  • Through software ordering – When a client has decided that the design is entirely free of errors and that it is ready for entry into the full production cycle, the free software allows them to go right ahead and make that order. When it is submitted in Standard Specifications it also enjoys no added tooling fees, and if it is a Custom Specifications order that has already been produced and enters as Standard Specifications, that same tooling fee deduction is applied.

Regardless of the size of a company or the complexity of a project, the cost of producing PCBs can be surprising. Investing in the necessary software and technologies, having the right teams to understand what is needed, and then seeing the production process completed properly can all add up. After all, even the simplest boards must work their way through key phases that include:

  • Design – Is there a team to manage design? What sort of software is in use and what are the costs associated with it? Is there a dedicated team meant to evaluate the blueprints to detect errors? What costs are associated with the prototype? How fast can it be completed?
  • Evaluation – Whether designs are printed on films or digitally, someone must troubleshoot them. Is this an outsourced step? Is it something that the manufacturer is counted on to provide? Has this been integrated into the production plan?
  • Production – Is this going to occur in one facility with all of the substrate creation, layer building, UV hardening, copper removal, laminating, pressing, drilling, imaging, etching, soldering, and inspecting done by a solid team?

Avoid Costly Errors – Trust Advanced Circuits for a Premium PCB Production Experience

There are too many points in the PCB manufacturing process where disaster might occur, and it makes sense to avoid any potential risks by working with a one-stop shop. This is precisely what the team at Advanced Circuits delivers. Providing the tools required from start (including high end design software) to finish, our team can deliver. No minimum orders and professional reviews guarantee that modern innovations don’t get in the way of a premium production experience and outcome.

 

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Demand More From Your PCB Manufacturer /blog/demand-more-from-your-pcb-manufacturer/ Fri, 01 Nov 2019 17:52:20 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2048 Continue reading ]]> Your PCB vendor should offer a full suite of complementary services, in addition to all the PCB types you require. Advanced Circuits provides over two decades of PCB manufacturing and assembly experience, including vital PCB design support. No minimums, no tooling fees, free CAM engineer reviews – these are but a few of the benefits you will receive when you order from Advanced Circuits.

Anyone involved in the electronics industry already knows that PCB & PCBs are interchangeable acronyms for the same thing: printed circuit boards. Not all manufacturers, fabricators and assemblers are able to offer the full array of PCBs because there are also HDI and other specialized options. These may call for more refined handling and even some degree of miniaturization and finer detailing that a standard vendor cannot offer.

Additionally, not all will provide their customers with the kinds of resources needed to get the most out of the entire design, production, and assembly process.

PCB Types

When in the market for PCBs, it pays to know what varieties your preferred provider can deliver. The basics include:

  • Single Layer
  • Double Layer
  • Multi-Layer
  • Rigid
  • Flexible
  • Flex-Rigid
  • High-frequency
  • Aluminum-Backed
  • Full Spec, and more

If your design features LDI, or laser direct imaging; more than 28 layers or with air pockets between layers; oversized styles; heavy copper; and more, the team at Advanced Circuits can supply you with these and any other type of PCBs you require.

Over Twenty Years of PCB Production & Assembly Experience

If you are looking for solutions to your PCB needs and you want a firm that offers the entire array of types, along with one-stop solutions in design, manufacturing, and assembly, Advanced Circuits is an ideal choice. With more than two decades in the creation of premium PCBs, we have one of the most comprehensive sets of solutions.

Advanced Circuits stands as one of the largest PCB manufacturing and assembly companies, and we are also noted as one of the most reliable in the PCB industry. This is because we do what we say we will, and it starts with something as simple as our shipping guarantees. For instance, we have the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry and are now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we put our money where our mouth is . . . and ship Standard Spec orders on time or for FREE!

The Advanced Circuits Difference

We take on more than 200 new clients each month of the year, and most are referrals! We are able to get such loyalty because we:

  • Do not work as a broker – Our entire process is done in-house. Our 62k square foot manufacturing facility is able to quickly handle every step of the process. We facilitate easy delivery of your project’s Gerber files or design; have every single order reviewed (for free) by one of the in-house engineers; and any issues are identified and remedied long before fabrication begins. We are hands-on, and it means that no clients are left with something that is untenable because of a design flaw.
  • We guarantee stability – What’s worse than building a relationship with a PCB manufacturer only to see them go out of business or suffer a decline in customer support, quality, or efficiency? The team at Advanced Circuits offers their clients one of the most efficient, stable, and cutting edge facilities.
  • We have experts on hand at all times – While 24-hour customer support is not all that unusual, getting access to a CAM engineer at any hour of the day or night is certainly unique. Our clients can call in and have their design and engineering questions answered by a professional engineer at any time. Remember that all clients also get a free CAM engineer review of their designs, ensuring no glitches exist before the manufacturing process begins.
  • We offer free design support – Design is the crucial factor in any PCB process. Make one mistake and the batch is unusable and all of that money and time are gone. The good news is that Advanced Circuits clients have the use of several free software options meant to eliminate such risks. There is our free and unrestricted PCB Artist software that contains more features than even the strongest competitor; and may outdo the traditional Gerber file options. This enables easy design checking, but it is also possible to upload any files through FreeDFM, our free file review program that assesses, corrects and reports.
  • Ease of use – Instant quotes are available from the website, and every client has a unique customer page where they can place orders or reorder previous items. They can also use the file uploading options and follow the progress of any order. Their ordering can be done right through the free PCB Artist software, but also through the web page. Test certifications and C&Cs can be ordered here too.
  • No minimums – It can be cost-prohibitive to order the parts needed when the manufacturer imposes arbitrary minimum lot requirements. With the no minimum PCB orders, Advanced Circuits’ clients never find themselves holding on to too many components.
  • No tooling fees – It can be disappointing to order standard spec PCBs, only to get slammed with a high tooling charge. Our clients don’t have to worry. The standard spec order is always free of tooling charges. If a client reorders something that was once previous standard spec, as a custom spec order, that no fee status remains.

Advanced Circuits – Your Premier Provider of Printed Circuit Boards 

While it is important to ensure that your PCB manufacturer has all of the types of PCBs available, it is just as significant to ensure they have the fullest range of complementary services, too. One-stop shops like Advanced Circuits, which domestically manufacture and assemble PCBs, provide the greatest degree of control over the quality and cost of your projects. The benefits of working with us are immense, and whether it is a tiny batch or a massive assortment of printed circuit boards, you can rest assured we’ll make your order easy, efficient, and successful.

 

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Designing and Creating Circuit Boards Quickly Has Never Been Easier /blog/designing-and-creating-circuit-boards-quickly-has-never-been-easier/ Fri, 18 Oct 2019 16:36:27 +0000 https://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=2032 Continue reading ]]> Turnaround times on production or fabrication of circuit boards is rarely thought of as a fast or rapid process. After all, the many steps involved typically translate to a very lengthy period. From the initial design and output to design for manufacturing or DFM checks, film creation, mapping of copper paths, and all of the way to V-scoring and testing, will require extensive phases. This is often the reason that firms promising same-day turnarounds on some circuit boards are met with a bit of healthy skepticism by those with experience in such matters.

This is also why the same-day turnaround times that a firm like Advanced Circuits offers seem too good to be true, even though they are not.

One-Stop Printed Circuit Boards Shop

With more than 25 years in the circuit boards industry, we are one of the largest and few one-stop solutions for those in need of premium circuit boards and prototypes. With tens of thousands of square feet of production space, we offer clients an in-house PCB assembly system from start to finish.

Our capabilities include:

  • 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 you every step of the way. We begin with a quote based on initial design spec uploads and walk all clients through to the final production and assembly phases.
  • Quality – While many in the PCB industry approve of Advanced Circuits’ array of design resources, they also appreciate the inspection process that begins with a full CAM review before any manufacturing begins, as well as visual inspections of the final circuit boards produced.
  • Clear pricing – Also unlike many other producers, we do not ask for stenciling fees, setup fees, and other hidden, but ultimately unnecessary charges.

Keep in mind that we are also a chosen maker of circuit boards because of our one-stop system. This ensures a totally seamless process that occurs under a single roof and remains consistently in the hands of our designers and engineers. Without any outside vendors and with the option for production and assembly in a single space, there will be fewer risks of delays, problems, and errors.

Beyond In-house Production and Assembly of Circuit Boards

While the convenience and speed that comes with in-house production and assembly of printed circuit boards cannot be overlooked; the capabilities that Advanced Circuits makes available ensure a much more substantial list of benefits can be enjoyed.

For one thing, we impose no minimum orders, making us an ideal solution for small to midsized firms in addition to larger manufacturers. We also make design, even for the novice teams, remarkably foolproof. We do this through:

  • CAM engineer evaluations – All products are evaluated by one of the in-house engineers long before production begins in order to spare clients any costly mistakes.
  • Free design software – The cost of PCB design software is part of doing business, but the Advanced Circuits proprietary and exclusive PCB Artist software is available in an unrestricted format and entirely for free. It is a free download to a client’s desktop (Windows only at this time) and is capable of 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 no reason not to take advantage of it (and the discounts given to clients who opt for the use of our free software).
  • Free evaluation software – For those already using a CAM program of their own, the option for FreeDFM allows the manufacturing quality of a design to be tested. The files are exported in a Gerber format and loaded to the online software. This will review the entire file, correct any glitches and generate a report indicating changes or potential problems.
  • Customers get tech support – And while it is great to have customer support around the clock, few PCB firms will offer their clients an opportunity to troubleshoot with the help of a CAM engineer. However, Advanced Circuits does have experts of this kind available 24 hours a day.
  • Ordering through the software – When a client runs the proprietary software available through the Advanced Circuits’ website, they also have the choice of ordering through it at the same time. They still get that CAM engineer review and the crucial checks for errors, but they can use the software to make the order, too. And when they do, they receive a discount code as an incentive.

We live in a world of outsourcing everything. It is no longer just customer service and other phone service options that are sent overseas. This can make for a lot of difficulties in the design process. Even when there are online solutions that make uploading your proprietary files easier than ever; the danger for grave mistakes presents too many risks involving time, money and reputation. That’s why so many companies choose Advanced Circuits for their PCB manufacturing and assembly.

When you work with Advanced Circuits, you get the kinds of hands-on interaction and attention that the modern world is so short on. Rather than the distinctly “no-touch” approach used by a lot of fabricators (who want to receive your pre-tested files and get to work), we are a distinctly hands-on service. We run the printed circuit boards through rigorous examinations before any part of production begins. Since we are not a broker but are instead that one-stop solution making everything in-house, it is assured that we do all we can to prevent problems.

We have quick turns services specialists with some of the fastest turnaround times and shipping. In fact, we have the BEST ON-TIME SHIPPING RECORD in the industry, and are now shipping 50% of orders early! In fact, we ship Standard Spec orders on time or they’re FREE!

When you want a flawless design process full of support and even corrections and adjustments that guarantee success, depend on the Advanced Circuits team to produce and deliver your order.

 

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How to Avoid CAM Hold: 15 Most common Mistakes /blog/how-to-avoid-cam-hold-15-most-common-mistakes/ Tue, 14 Jul 2015 19:14:09 +0000 http://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=942 Continue reading ]]>

At Advanced Circuits, we treat every PCB order as a time sensitive order, because we know that time is a valuable commodity for our customers.  Going through great lengths to provide valuable resources to make it easy to design your boards, check your files, and get an instant quote for your order.

Because quality is a top priority of ours, every printed circuit board order receives a detailed CAM review to ensure it is ready for manufacturing.  The video above shows the top 15 mistakes that our CAM department catches before sending an order to production.  To avoid a CAM hold on your order, the best tool to use is our very own FreeDFM™.  FreeDFM™ is a comprehensive online file check for PCB manufacturability.  When you upload your files to FreeDFM™ you will receive a detailed graphical report outlining any potential issues in your file within minutes — best of all, its FREE and we will even pay you to use it.  click here to learn more.

Find a Resolution

For tips and resolution to these 15 most common PCB design errors, please visit our “How to  Avoid CAM Hold” page.

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How to Avoid PCB CAM Hold | Advanced Circuits /blog/advanced-circuits-gives-tips-on-how-to-avoid-pcb-cam-hold/ /blog/advanced-circuits-gives-tips-on-how-to-avoid-pcb-cam-hold/#respond Sat, 15 Jun 2013 22:21:53 +0000 http://dev.4pcb.com/blog/?p=165 Continue reading ]]> printed circuit boards avoid CAM hold

When you are in the process of creating Gerber files for your printed circuit board designs, it can sometimes be difficult to accurately reflect what you want manufactured. However, Advanced Circuits has helpful tips to keep in mind that will help you reduce the chance your PCB orders are placed on hold so that you can cut down your turnaround time and get the boards that you need. Some of the most common mistakes that designers make is neglecting to include an aperture list, drill file, drill list or their Gerber files altogether. At times, the design itself may be incomplete or not conform to manufacturing requirements. For example, a PCB design may have an insufficient annular ring or copper trace width/spacing. If your PCB files have any potential issues, Advanced Circuits will notify you so that they can be cleared up before the production stage.

Make the PCB Design Process Easier with Advanced Circuits

When you use the FreeDFM system provided by Advanced Circuits, you will be able to make the design and submission process simpler. The integration allows you to see any potential DFM issues so that they can be correct and resubmitted using the same interface. That way your design, submission and manufacturing processes are all completed with one expert company so that you know your printed circuit boards will turn out just as you need them. For more information on how to best go about designing and ordering your printed circuit boards, contact a representative today.

How to Use FreeDFM™

  • Export the Gerber files from your design software.
  • Upload your Zip folder containing the Gerber files to our FreeDFM™ online tool.
  • Provide the email address where you would like to receive your results.
  • Within minutes, you will receive an email with your Quote Number, Discount Code, link to view/download a PDF copy of your design, and the detailed report of your FreeDFM™ results.
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