When you are choosing a manufacturer for PCBs, you should consider not only the most important factors for you but all of the factors that go into a great company. This helps to ensure that you are choosing your manufacturer correctly.

Below, we will be looking at some of the factors that tend to be at the top of many peoples’ lists when they are looking for a PCB manufacturer.

Are Quick Turn PCBs Important for You?

Whether you are creating your prototype, or you are looking to have a large number of printed circuit boards manufactured, you want to know how long it will take. Sometimes, you do not have as much time as you might like. You need the PCBs as soon as possible. This means that you need to choose a manufacturer capable of meeting your specific needs not only in terms of quality but also turnaround time. It is important to realize that not all companies will be able to offer quick turn PCBs.

Fortunately, you will not find that problem with Advanced Circuits. We have a range of options available to meet the needs of our customers. We can offer same-day turns for those who are placing their two-layer PCB order by 8:15am MST. These boards will be shipped the same evening. Additionally, if you submit two-layer or multilayer PCB designs on Friday, we will build the boards over the weekend, so they can arrive by Monday morning.

We offer small quantity and quick turn assembly services that ensure you are getting the PCBs you need when you need them. We also have an on-time guarantee. Our company built a reputation on being able to provide quick turn PCBs, and this means that we will guarantee that your standard spec PCBs will ship on time, or they are free.

Reputation and Experience of the Company

One of the first things that you should look for when choosing a manufacturer for your PCBs is how much experience they have in the field. Are they a new entrant into PCBs or do they have several decades in the field? While there might be some new companies offering quality products, they do not have the reputation of older companies. This also often means they will not have the same capabilities. They will not be able to get the materials they need at good prices. Those companies will not have dedicated manufacturing facilities, and it is unlikely that they will have a reliable process for quick turn PCBs. A good reputation and experience go a long way in this field, so do not overlook how important it can be.

The Standard and Custom Options

When it comes to the standard and custom PCB options that a company offers, you need to understand what they mean by those options. Some companies, for example, will not have true custom printed circuit boards, but will only offer standard options. Take the time to learn how many layers are available, whether they have a minimum number you will need to order, board thicknesses, copper weight, materials, and more. You have to be sure the company can provide you with the boards you need.

Customer Service

How the customers are treated is also important and something you will not want to overlook. Find a company that can guarantee their quality and their quick turn PCB time. Make sure that you have plenty of ways to contact the company if needed, and that the manufacturer offers free checks of your work before going into production. This helps to reduce the possibility of creating boards that are not going to work.

Overall Capabilities

What are the overall capabilities of the manufacturer? Will they be capable of providing you with just a prototype if needed? Will they be capable of offering short runs, as well as producing the PCBs you need on a massive scale? You have to think about what your needs are right now, and what they could be in the future when you are choosing a PCB manufacturing company. Take the time to learn more about the company’s certifications, such as whether they can offer military-grade PCBs. How many facilities do they operate?

Additionally, you will want to be certain that the PCBs are being made in facilities owned and operated by the company. Some manufacturers shunt their production off to other parties, which means you cannot always rely on the quality or the speed. Learn as much as possible about the company you are considering and then make up your mind whether you want to do business with them or not.

These are some of the most important things you will want to consider when you are choosing your PCB manufacturer. Always make sure that the company you choose can meet, and hopefully exceed, your needs.

Get in Touch with Advanced Circuits

If you are looking for a company that excels in all aspects of PCB manufacturing and customer service, Advanced Circuits is ready to provide you with what you need. We have decades of experience in the field and we have a range of quality services and features that help to make us a top choice in the field. We are the third-largest PCB manufacturing company in the United States, and we want to ensure our customers are always happy with the orders they place. Our experience, our size, and our dedication help to ensure that you can count on our quick turn PCBs.

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.

Laminate Materials for Custom Printed Circuit Boards

Many different types of laminate materials are designed to properly meet the provisions of a custom PCB.  Your choice of laminate material to use for your custom PCB will depend on your design and application requirements.  Advanced Circuits offers laminate materials suitable for applications such as: High power amplifiers, Radar systems, Mobile communications, Complex microwave, High speed digital RF components and more.

Advanced laminate material options that may be used in the production of a custom PCB include:

• RF Materials
• RoHS Compliant Laminates
• Advanced RF Materials
• Halogen-Free
• Advanced Signal Integrity
• Advanced HDI Laminates

Custom PCB Plating Finish Options

A plating finish is comprised of precise amounts of metal placed over the uncovered outer copper and plated thru holes. Design engineers have the ability to precisely indicate and lay out the surface finish, solder joint integrity, shelf life, and compliance of the product. The following are PCB plating finish options available for your custom PCB:

• Leaded & lead-free (hasl)
• Electroless nickel immersion gold (enig)
• Electrolytic nickel & hard gold plating
• Electroless nickel electroless palladium immersion gold (enepig)
• Immersion silver & immersion tin
• Tin nickel & fused tin lead
• Electroless nickel
• Bondable gold

Additional Custom PCB Features

For more advanced custom PCB designs, Advanced Circuits offers custom elements and features. Working with the right PCB manufacturer is crucial to the accurate execution of your custom PCB with advanced features. The following are additional design features for custom printed circuit boards:

• Controlled Dielectric
• Controlled Impedance
• Plated Slots
• Plated Edges
• Counterbores
• Countersinks
• Castellated Holes
• Etchback
• Edge Mill
• Controlled Depth Drilling
• Tetra Etch

Industry Certifications for Custom Printed Circuit Boards

Advanced Circuits has the industry certifications and qualifications to meet demanding requirements for your custom PCB requirements.  Our PCBs meet IPC-A600 Class 2 requirements trusted for dedicated service electronics that require high performance & extended life. Additionally, Advanced Certifications for Mil/Aero, Medical, and Commercial applications are also available with our Custom Spec option.  Advanced Circuits is MIL-PRF-31032, MIL-PRF-55110, AS9100D, ISO 9001 Certified, IPC 6012 3/3A, IPC 6018 Class 3 Qualified, and ITAR Registered as well as being DOD contracts ready.

PCB Capabilities→

Advanced Materials for Custom PCB Fabrication

Depending on the product application for which a custom PCB is being designed for, advanced laminate materials may be required.  Advanced Circuits sources a broad range of PCB laminate materials to meet your specifications from leading providers such as 3M, Arlon, Rogers, Ventec, Isola, and Bergquist to name a few.  Our custom PCB material options include:

• RoHS Compliant
• Halogen Free
• RF Materials
• Advanced RF Materials
• Advanced HDI
• Advanced Signal Integrity

To access Advanced Circuits’ list of available material options and the manufacturers’ Data Sheets, click here.

Custom PCB Plating Finish Options

The plating finish applied to a printed circuit board consists of metal deposited to the exposed copper and plated thru holes in a chemical process.  Custom PCB design engineers are able to specify the surface finish required after carefully considering cost, shelf life, solder rework capabilities, solder wettability, solder joint integrity, RoHS compliance, and any other attributes the different options provide to best suit the custom PCB’s intended application.

Advanced Circuits custom PCB surface finish options include the following:

• Leaded & Lead Free (HASL)
• Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG)
• Electrolytic Nickel & Hard Gold Plating
• Electroless Nickel Electroless Palladium Immersion Gold (ENEPIG)
• Immersion Silver & Immersion Tin
• Plated Nickel
• Fused Tin Lead
• Electroless Nickel
• Soft Bondable Gold

Advanced Manufacturing Certifications & Qualifications for Custom PCB Design Requirements

Stringent quality standards and the ability to meet certain certifications may be required for some custom PCB projects, especially those designed for use in military, aerospace, and commercial applications.  Advanced Circuits’ Standard & Custom Spec PCB manufacturing options both meet IPC-A600 Class 2 requirements at a minimum, which is trusted for dedicated service electronics requiring high performance and extended life.  Additionally, advanced certifications are available and include the following:

•  IPC 6012 CLASS 3/3A
• AS9100D
• ISO 9001:2015
• MIL-PRF-31032
• MIL-PRF-55110
• ITAR Registered Facilities
• UL Certification for USA/Canada

Other Custom PCB Features & Capabilities for Advanced Designs

Finding a custom PCB manufacturer that can provide advanced fabrication with quickturn capabilities and has a reputation for high quality precision work is key.  Advanced Circuits’ expanded PCB fabrication capabilities can help you meet all of your custom PCB requirements.

Other design features may include the following with Advanced Circuits’ Custom Spec option:

• Castellated Holes
• Controlled Dielectric
• Controlled Impedance
• Counter Sinks
• Counter Bores
• Mask Plugged
• Etch Back
• Tetra Etch
• Cover Coat
• Cavity Process
• Laser Rout
• LPI Legend
• Edge Mill
• Back Drilling
• Controlled Depth Drill

For a full list of Advanced Circuits’ custom PCB manufacturing capabilities, download our PDF below or click here to contact your Sales Representative with any questions.