Pre-FAB Checklist: Considerations for PCBA Mass Production

Scaling up PCBA mass production is a difficult process with many perils and risks. To minimize these potential problems, we have compiled a list of some tips that will help prepare you for production.

• The Lead Time of parts can change depending on the quantity needed. A reel of 10,000 parts might only have a 4-week lead time, whereas a dozen or more of the same reel can have up to a 32-week lead time.
• Future production of parts can become unavailable. If another consumer or industry using the same part buys up all available future production, the lead time will further increase. Manufacturers of parts will typically just push lead times out instead of creating more manufacturing volume. This was seen recently with ceramic capacitors.
• Make sure necessary part availability matches your production timeline. If you have unique parts without substitutes (for microcontrollers, specialized sensors, etc.) check on the Part Lifetime from the manufacturer. Part Lifetime is the current status of the manufacturing of the part. Typically manufacturers will guarantee a set lifespan for manufacturing the part and will notify its customers when the part will be at end of life (EoL). Make sure the part you need will be available till the end of your product’s production lifespan.
• Built prototypes with possible substitutes. If a part has viable substitutions but is in a critical path of your circuit or product, it would be wise to build prototypes with that part substitute before moving your PCBA into mass production. This will reduce the risk involved when switching to the part in the future.

• Ensure your enclosure has been properly vetted through the prototyping phase and your enclosure vendor can supply your demand.
• Have a quality control procedure for your enclosures to ensure they will meet your and your customers’ standards.

• Specify manufacturer part numbers to reduce confusion
• Even simple parts like resistors need more information than ohm value and component package. The value tolerance, voltage rating, type of resistor construction, and temperature coefficient are very important in choosing the correct part.
• Fasteners also need detailed specifications but also require additional assembly care. Torque ratings on fasteners are important as well. This keeps the build between units identical and predictable.

• Electronics manufacturing tariffs and Import restrictions can change at a whim, which can impact the pricing and delivery of your components.
• Import Customs can also delay approving your components due to poor paperwork or increased volume due to holidays or busy times of the year.

Whenever possible, co-design your prototype and product with your contract manufacturer. This allows your product to easily scale in volume and reduce risks from creating a product that is hard to manufacture. Your CM can also help out with the DFM (Design for Manufacturing) of your product. Work with your CM to create an assembly process for your product. Creating your assembly instructions and documentation for your product is important for repeatable processes and will save time in the long run.

Ensure your contract manufacturer knows your product’s timeline! The contract manufacturer can then plan and ramp up your product’s supply chain in a more predictable fashion. Also, the timeline can be vetted by the CM to make sure it is physically possible to achieve. You should avoid communicating delivery dates to your end users without first consulting with your contract manufacturer. Some important manufacturing dates include the following:

• Product Testing and Validation Dates for FCC, CE, UL testing.
• Product releases such as launching a Kickstarter, starting pre-orders, or promised shipping dates.
• Investor pressures and deadlines.

Communication should also be a two-way street. Finding a CM that is transparent with communication and the status of your product will increase the chance of success for your product.

What part of your product should be checked during production? Your CM will be able to help you decide. The number and frequency of quality control checks will be based on the quantity and complexity of your product. Having multiple quality control steps in the process can help reduce waste and improve efficiency. These include:

• Electrical testing of PCBs
• PCBA testing
• Post box build assembly
• Full functional testing of the product

No manufacturing process is 100% fail-proof. The quality control procedures should also have steps to take if a device fails under test. Failure modes should be documented and have a process for potential rework.

Here at MacroFab, we are redefining contract manufacturing for electronics as you know it. Save time by viewing instant quotes for production orders in our platform. Manage your product online, and in real-time with less hassle. Or, speak to our sales reps about PCBA mass production orders. Our dedicated team and online platform make the new product process easier, faster, and more affordable than ever. No matter how complex your product is it will be no problem for us. We will get your product ready for your customers. We are here for you.

Did you know that more than 45% of all products on the market are delayed by at least a month? Learn how to launch on time. Read Can Your Business Afford a Delayed PCBA Product Launch?