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.

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.