Trimming PCB Assembly Time: Three Tips for Startups

Starting a tech startup can sometimes feel like you're running a never-ending race, especially when your product revolves around Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). It's like you're at the mercy of the slow-moving hands of time, waiting for your components to be put together. But hey, it doesn't always have to be like this. Let's chat about some ways you can get your PCBA up and running faster.

First off, let's talk about quotes. Ever had to wait ages for a vendor to get back to you with a price? Not cool. The good news is, CMs like MacroFab can give you instant online quotes through our Electronics Manufacturing Platform. You pop in your details, and boom - you've got your cost. No more waiting around, no more endless phone calls or emails. You get the figures straight away, and that means you can get started sooner.

You know you are dealing with a vendor that keeps it fast if they offer instant, online quotes. The last thing you want to do is deal with a long quoting process. These often involve endless back and forth phone calls or emails. Instant quotes online let you see the numbers you’re working with immediately. This lets you start letting you start the manufacturing process now not later.

Next up, the cloud is your friend. Really, it is. Manufacturing platforms these days are technology-driven and cloud-based. Think of them like your project buddy that's with you every step of the way, from quote to delivery. You'll see what's happening at any point in the process, and the simpler the platform, the easier and quicker it is for you to get your finished PCBAs.

It's like magic, but it's just good technology.

The PCB manufacturing process happens A LOT faster when it’s controlled by a technology platform. This stays by your project’s side from quote to delivery. Not only will you get your boards faster, but then you can see exactly what’s going on during any point of the entire process. The simpler the platform, the simpler the process. Therefore, the simpler it is to get your PCBs, stat.

Now, here's a game-changer. Turn-key service. Imagine having one team that takes care of everything - from part sourcing to PCB fabrication. Not only does this save you money (bonus!), but it also shaves off loads of time. You won't have to play middleman between parts suppliers and fabricators, which is a huge win for your schedule.

Choosing a service provider that takes care of part sourcing not only saves you money, but it also shortens your cycle times. Choosing somebody that offers seamless PCB fabrication eliminates the time it takes you to source parts, negotiate with suppliers, and ship to the fabricator.

All good things take time, however it can’t hurt to take a little less time with your Kickstarter project.

Find out why most hardware startups fail (and tips to succeed!) now.

Even better, what if I told you that the same partner could handle everything - from sourcing to prototyping, production, testing, box build, and shipping? Talk about a lifesaver! By keeping it all under one roof, you're skipping all that time it usually takes to onboard different vendors. Plus, there's no time wasted on getting a new team up to speed, and you can avoid any misunderstandings about your product. After all, the same team that started with you on day one knows your product inside and out.

Sure, starting a startup is a journey that takes time and dedication. But with the right approach, you can speed things up a bit and get your PCBA-based tech product to market faster. And who doesn't want a head start in the tech startup race? Let's go out there and make it happen!