Choosing The Right Flexible Circuit Manufacturer - Five Critical Considerations

In today’s world PCBs are the backbone for any engineered devices. From computerized electronic devices of trivial values like calculators to high end ones like expensive wearable bands and smartphones everywhere the use of flex PCBs is inevitable.

The varied uses

FPCBs have been variedly used in various other domains as well like in automobiles, aircraft and spacecraft, biomedical and prosthetics, solar energy sectors and many other domains. Hence, whatever be the device you are planning on creating the need for FPCB as its core is inevitable. However with the increasing number of flexible circuit manufacturer choosing the right one might be a bit difficult. So here are 5 top things which you must consider before hiring any flexible PCB manufacturing company.

Know the type of manufacturer

Now while you are on sea fishing for flexible circuit manufacturer begins with understanding the type of manufacturers do you need and what type of manufacturer is the company you are fixing upon. Here are few common ones

·         The fabricators

They are the ones who specialize only fabricating the boards. In this case, you need to take care of the part procurement, the materials assembling and the testing of the board.

·         The assemblers

They are the group of people who expertise in assembling the PCBs however you need to take care of materials procurement and delivery to them on yourself

·         The manufacturers

They are the ones who take care of everything from materials procurement, to material assembling, delivery till prior installation testing.

Quality

For any device, its electronic components play the biggest role. And stringent check should be done on its quality parameters by the manufacturers. PCB quality differs in various aspects, here are a few

ü  Board and it’s right dimensions

ü  Accuracy to which holes are dried and positioned

ü  Bare board tests

ü  Minimum board wrapping area etc.

Don’t fall for companies giving unrealistic subsided quotes as they might compromise to the quality parameters.

Experience

Checking the experience when it comes to choosing any manufacturing company is a must. And especially when it’s an FPCB board do a stringent check over the company’s background. Check their experiences and their local and global outreach. And the number of projects they have successfully deployed.

Certification

As mentioned already while choosing for PCB manufacturers compromising with the quality parameters is a strict no. Even if your manufacturer has years of experience in PCB field, get to know whether they are certified for PCB manufacturing or not. There are a number of licenses on the quality front which a company needs to pass to be qualified for FPCB manufacturing.

Take care of brokers

Beware of brokers when looking for PCB manufacturers. There are a number of so-called companies which are nothing more than brokers who outsource the orders eating up cuts from the middle. This raises the overall costs along with compromising with the quality standards and timelines.

Bottom line

When it’s the core of your device stringent search is necessary before hiring any company. Always remember leading manufacturers have years of experience and the expertise of handling global ranged projects with market standards price rates and best of quality.