When it comes to selecting a contract manufacturer to outsource for your PCB assembly company, it is important you consider the 7 areas that will be explained below:
1. Location: Selecting a contractor within walking distance of your business offers more flexibility and agility to adapt to changing conditions, especially when the deadline is imminent. A PCB assembly company in its region is also more practical when there is a need for on-site investigations and when materials and components are scarce.
2. How the manufacturing equipment functions: It is crème to know the functionality of the manufacturing equipment that will be used for PCB manufacturing. Are the equipments used new or obsolete? Are the collection and placement machines, reflux ovens, and wave welding equipment well maintained? Examining maintenance records can assure you that the company takes quality very seriously. This creates trust in the professional association.
3. Certification of assembly equipment: to ensure that the contracted PCB assembler can complete production on time, not only well-maintained equipment is required, but also a certified team of assembly technicians. Therefore, review the training and certification records of the assembly team. Verify that they have obtained the technical identification information to enable the execution of the assigned tasks. For employees who are not certified, check their progress throughout the certification process.
4. Quality systems: does the China PCB manufacturer have a quality system like ISO 9001: 2008? This must be the minimum certification obtained by the company to ensure that it can deliver a quality product. If there is another quality system, is the company currently certified by an accredited registrar? Finally, would the PCB manufacturer agree to invest in becoming certified with the same quality system as your company? This means that the company is engaged in a long-term business relationship with you.
5. Delivery times: The ability to meet delivery times is a critical measure to determine if a contract manufacturer has the capacity, personnel, and resources to meet the needs of your business. Where possible, obtain records from the PCB manufacturer on their ability to meet deadlines. Get a detailed understanding of who makes China PCBs and where they are produced.
6. Procurement of parts: review the procurement department. Do they maintain adequate internal stock? Are your suppliers local, regional, or geographically diverse, and what is the nature of these supplier relationships? Are the relationships close enough that cost rebates can be easily transferred? How does the procurement department manage parts that are difficult to adjust or obsolete? Do you have procurement specialists with experience in providing spare parts for obsolete parts? Can you take your drawings/designs and develop a list of materials with little or no help from you?
7. Economical prices: labor rates varying, you should get a detailed analysis of the total manufacturing cost. Check what is included in the manufacturing costs. Then you need to do a cost comparison study to determine if your costs are proportional to the industry average and its competitors. Make sure you have an accurate comparison of all costs and the final price.
Using the 7-point checklist above, you can accurately determine whether a particular China PCB assembly is suitable for your PCB assembly and your business needs.