Some electronics projects don’t need so many boards to get the job done. With one or two boards, you are good to go. If this is what your project is about, then choosing a one-off PCB manufacturing service provider is the first step to getting the job done.
In this article, we explain what a one-off PCB manufacture means and how the manufacturer can be of help.
What is One-off PCB Manufacturing?
It means the production of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) at once. Sometimes, the quantity is so many and at most times, the quantity of the order placed is limited. It all depends on your goals for the electronics project.
Who is One-Off PCB Production Ideal for?
Certain class of circuit board users benefit the most from the production of one-off PCB manufacture/production.
If you fall into any of the following categories, then you are sure of getting value from placing an order for the board.
PCB Hobbyists
If you take the learning process of how to produce Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) seriously or as a hobby, then you are one of the ideal users.
PCB hobbyists benefit the most from one-off circuit board production, in the following ways:
a. Custom Order
You can place an order for the board to be customized, as per your requirements. This is a better and cost-saving approach, than having the manufacturer give you a “holistic” board that doesn’t satisfy your PCB needs.
b. Varied Hobbyist Applications
The one-off PCB manufacturer for hobbyist will also optimize the boards for a wide range of applications. Examples of the use cases are:
- Water sensors
- Raspberry Pi
- Radio communication systems
- Custom robotics
- Electronic smart labels
- Electronic switch gears and;
- Smart lighting systems
Low-Volume PCB Consumers
The one-off PCB solutions are also designed for the customers who don’t need many boards, at least, at once.
If you are experimenting with the designs, you can place an order for a few boards and have them readied in real-time.
Your judgment of the boards’ performance determines whether you should scale up or continue “playing small.”
Circuit Board Prototype Consumers
A majority of the one-off circuit boards are made as prototypes – the first sets of working designs of the PCBs.
It is therefore, not a surprise that electronic product companies that want to make prototypes of their products often go for the one-off productions.
Through these prototypes, potential design errors/flaws will be noticed and highlighted for fixing in the next phase of the production.
Advantages of One-Off PCB Productions
Producing your circuit boards at once can be beneficial in the following ways:
a. Board Testing and Issue-Fixing
One of the major benefits is the opportunity it gives you to test just a few Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). Potential design-related issues noticed at this stage will be resolved and fixed.
This way, you will save the extra costs of running such an evaluation on multiple boards and risk fixing most of time.
With the one-off PCB order, you will only tackle the issues with a few boards, and which doesn’t affect the entire production line.
b. One-off PCB Production is Affordable
This time of circuit board production often has to do with a few boards. The quantities can range from 5 and 10.
As the boards are limited, you wouldn’t pay so much to have them prototyped, and or manufactured.
c. Faster Prototyping
With limited quantities placed as orders comes a complimentary faster production. Thus, the one-off PCB manufacturer will fulfill your orders in a swift time.
How to Choose a One-off PCB Manufacturer
A bulk of the success of the board’s production rests with the company that designs and manufactures it. Get the manufacturer selection right and you will benefit hugely from what the boards offer.
These are some pointers as to what to check or look out for before choosing a one-off circuit board manufacturing company:
a. Comprehensive Prototyping Services
Does the PCB manufacturing company have the capacity to provide an all-around one-off PCB service? Can it offer a holistic prototyping service?
b. Component Sourcing
No matter the quantities of PCBs you are ordering, electronic components must be used. If you are not disposed to get them or you are unsure of which to get, then relying on the manufacturer is a safe bet.
Thus, find out if the one-off PCB manufacturer offers a component sourcing service. Some companies might offer to do it all for you (turnkey solutions) or involve you in the process (partial).
The goal is to leverage on the manufacturer’s expertise to choose the best components for your circuit boards.
c. Prototyping Only?
The best method to choosing a good one-off PCB manufacturer is to look beyond the prototyping stage of the boards. If all the manufacturer can handle is to make prototypes, then you might as well broaden your search.
Reason? An ideal one-off PCB manufacturer should not just make prototypes of the boards, but also have the means to convert those into “working products.” If the manufacturer can make the prototypes and, on your request, make the full production – then the manufacturer is worth contracting the project to.
d. Collaboration is Key
Find you a one-off PCB manufacturing company that doesn’t just end at taking your orders – but is also willing to work with you throughout the phase of the design.
The manufacturer should be able to provide valuable tips, make relevant recommendations, give updates on the status of the project and follow-up after the prototypes are ready.
Conclusion
Making a one-off PCB production doesn’t cost much, but you need to be as concise as possible. Due to the minimal volume of the order, the manufacturer would need as much details as possible to deliver exactly what you expected.
Make sure to provide the schematic design if you have one already, intimate the manufacturer with the target applications and your budget. Last but not the least – the component selection should be carefully-done. The rules of thumb are to choose the widely-used components and which are offered in a specific type of package.
