Emails and phone calls are a great way to break the ice, but if you’re really trying to get to know someone, there is no substitute for in-person meetings.
When it comes to evaluating PCB manufacturers, visits are the best way to get a total picture of how a company operates on a typical day. It’s also the best time and place to build authentic human relationships and get unscripted answers to deeper questions you have about their business.
Visiting a PCB manufacturer will allow you to:
1. Assess their manufacturing capabilities firsthand.
2. Evaluate their process and quality control in person.
3. Establish a face-to-face relationship.
Later in this blog, we’ll provide you with a checklist of 5 essential questions that will ensure you leave your visit with all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
But before your visit, you should make some preparations to ensure you’re not wasting your time.
What to Find Out Before You Visit a Potential PCB Manufacturer
Before you take a day to travel and spend time at a potential PCB manufacturer’s facility, there are some things you can easily find out online that might save you a trip.
Check the company’s website and reviews to find answers to these questions:
Ensure They’re a Good Industry Fit
Check on the company’s history, client portfolio, industry reputation, testimonials, and case studies. Specifically, find out if they have a proven history of satisfied clients coming from your industry. This will help you evaluate whether they’ll have the experience necessary to make efficient decisions that will save you time and money in the long run.
A company with expertise in your industry will be more likely to predict problems and present solutions before they become larger issues. They’ll also intuitively understand your business, streamlining communication and alignment.
Have a Clear Understanding of Your Own Needs
Before you can properly evaluate a PCB manufacturer’s capabilities, you have to clearly understand the needs of your specific project. You’ll want to articulate a list of dealbreakers and luxuries.
For example, if you’re a smaller team, you may strongly prefer a PCB manufacturer that offers turnkey services. If you’re on a time crunch, quickturn services may be something you need.
Only you can know for sure what you can and can’t live without. Determining this before your visit will give you a clearer roadmap.
Prepare Technical Questions
Work with your designers to formulate technical questions about their manufacturing capabilities.
You’ll want to know about layer counts, material types, trace width, and spacing capabilities, the equipment they have access to, and anything else your engineers think will be relevant to you.
Having these questions prepared in advance and written down will ensure you don’t miss anything critical when you have the manufacturers in front of you.
Check For Certifications
Industry certifications are a quick and easy way to verify a PCB manufacturer adheres to certain quality, production, and safety standards. Certified PCB manufacturers should clearly display that information on their website or other promotional materials.
Check for ISO, UL, RoHS, and other safety and quality standards to ensure you’re spending your valuable time on a company that takes quality seriously.
Now that you’ve prepared yourself in advance let’s go over 5 essential questions for you to ask while you visit a PCB manufacturer.
Checklist: 5 Questions to Ask During Your Visit to a PCB Manufacturer
their true production capabilities to their post-production support and discussions sparked from these 5 questions will help you make a smart decision on your next PCB manufacturer.
1. What Are Your Manufacturing Capabilities?
This is a broad question, so it’s best to ask it early and prepare for a longer answer. During your discussion, drill down into more specific topics like:
· What kinds of materials can you handle?
· What specific PCB types can you produce?
· Are you experienced with complex production problems?
Since this is arguably the most important question you’ll ask, start with it and let the conversation flow into the following questions.
2. How Do You Ensure Quality Control?
Look for an answer that proves the company understands how quality directly impacts production efficiency. You’ll want a clear answer on specific quality practices, certifications, and inspection methods.
A company that places quality at the forefront of their operation will save you time and headaches by getting jobs done right the first time.
3. Can You Share Examples of Similar Projects?
Request to see examples of case studies or just have the company’s representative talk about similar projects they’ve worked on in the past.
This will help you gauge their experience and success in handling similar requirements.
4. What Are Your Typical Turnaround and Lead Times?
You’ll want to know about their standard and expedited turnaround and lead times.
Discuss their ability to meet tight deadlines or quickly change production volume and ask about the steps they’d take to accommodate sudden project changes like that.
5. What Kind of After-Sales Support Do You Offer?
Finally, get a feel for what kind of support you can expect once the boards have been delivered.
Ask about how they’d handle potential quality issues, reworks, recalls, and ongoing customer service.
By getting thorough and honest answers to all 5 of these questions, you’ll have a great idea of whether or not this PCB manufacturer will be a reliable business partner for years to come.
FINAL TIP: Choose a PCB Manufacturer that Encourages Questions
The final tip we’ll leave you with is intangible and is perhaps the primary reason you should consider visiting a potential PCB manufacturer.
That is, make sure you’re choosing to work with a PCB manufacturer that doesn’t just have answers for all of your questions, but seems open and willing to entertain them all. A manufacturer that chooses to put their best foot forward and honestly take on difficult questions is one that’s interested in doing honest work and genuinely helping their partners grow.
Imagineering was founded on that philosophy.
We take pride in our status as a reliable and high-quality PCB manufacturer for electronics makers in all industries. From aerospace to medical devices, Imagineering has expertise and knowledge we’d be happy to share with you in pursuit of mutual growth.Make Imagineering your next PCB manufacturer. Contact us today.