In
the development of electronic products, PCB design services can help you turn
an idea into a truly usable circuit board. Whether you are a newly established
company or a large-scale technology enterprise, as long as you find the right PCB
company, you can complete the development faster, reduce errors and improve
product quality. From sketching to making a PCB prototype, every step is
inseparable from professional electronic design services and PCB manufacturing
experience.
In
this article, I’ll introduce you to comprehensive PCB design services and
steps. And after the PCB designed, how the idea is turned into a product.
Understanding
PCB Design Services
PCB
design service is the complete process required to turn an idea into a
producible printed circuit board (PCB). It includes the design of circuit
diagrams, the drawing of schematic diagrams, the simulation of performance, PCB
layout services, and design for manufacturability (DFM) that considers whether
it is feasible for actual production. Companies that offer custom PCB design
services usually also have the capabilities of electronic design services and PCB
manufacturing. This ensures that every step from design files to finished
circuit boards can be smoothly done without any problems.
Key
Offerings of PCB Design Services
Professional
PCB design companies offer a range of services, including:
•
Custom PCB design and schematic creation
•
PCB layout services optimized for signal integrity and
EMI control
• 3D
visualization and mechanical integration
•
PCB printing services and fabrication-ready output files
•
PCB prototype development to support rapid product
testing
All
these services are designed to simplify the PCB manufacturing process and
reduce the risk of errors in production.
Steps
of PCB Design
Here’s
how a professional PCB design service typically flows:
1. Concept
Design and Prototyping
Before
heading to create your custom printed circuit board, it wouldn't be a bad idea
to check whether it can work. Usually, printed circuit board designs are
irreversible once produced, making every mistake during the PCB design process. And
you'll need to produce a new PCB to correct that mistake.
In
order to lower the risks and the time, before going for production and actual
printed circuit board design, it is highly suggested that the prototype be
built using direct components and a breadboard. PCB design services will often
recommend the same before approaching a design. They would like to
custom-design circuit boards according to the customer's requirements. The idea
is feasible and workable.
2. PCB
Design Services
Once
you validate your circuit board design idea, the first stage is to design a
printed circuit board. The PCB design has two main steps: PCB circuit board
design (also called PCB Design Services - from an idea to a product) and PCB
schematic design services to fulfill your needs. The second is PCB layout design. We
combine these two stages into one final design. The result after manufacturing
will be a printed circuit board (PCB).
The
PCB design service provider will use PCB design software such as Altium Designer
or Eagle. The software is just a tool, and each hardware designer will choose
the one he is familiar with. The decision of which software to use will usually
not affect the quality of the PCB design.
3. PCB
Schematic Design
In
the circuit board design process, the engineer will first understand the logic
of the board and its function. He will choose which components to use and which
integrated circuits (ICs) to embed, and he will create the logic that will
result in the functionality of the circuit board design. This stage is crucial
and is directly connected to the board functionality and the behavior of the
final product.
In
this stage, it's also important to consider the environment that will expose
the PCB circuit board, such as excessive heat or cold radiation. Based on those
parameters, the PCB designer could choose suitable components for either
industrial or commercial use. To avoid costly mistakes, it's essential to
communicate with the design service provider (individual engineer or a company)
sufficiently to make sure that the design fits the end-case use of the final
product.
4. PCB
Layout Design
The
PCB layout design follows the schematic design. Once we finish the PCB circuit
board design and the schematic, it's time to lay out the components. This stage
complexity depends on the number of layers that the printed circuit board
design includes. The more layers, the more complex the task will be. While the
layout is usually easier than the initial PCB schematic, there are many things
that the engineer or the PCB design service provider should consider, such as
components' location and orientation, correct grounding, antenna placement, and
high-speed data transfers, which might require specific circuit board design
requirements.
The
printed circuit board designer will consider other, more technical approaches,
such as making sure that the board nodes are accessible and providing clear
orientation for the components to avoid mistakes in production. PCB design services
that take an idea from a product will fulfill your needs.
In
the layout process, the circuit board designer will be able to put a layer of
silkscreen. This layer is visible and often used to place texts and logos on
the printed circuit board. In this case, it would be a great idea to provide
your designer or engineer with extra content such as project or company logo
and other information that should be visible on top of the final printed
circuit board.
About PCBasic
Time is money in your projects – and PCBasic gets it. PCBasic is a PCB assembly company that delivers fast, flawless results every time. Our comprehensive PCB assembly services include expert engineering support at every step, ensuring top quality in every board. As a leading PCB assembly manufacturer, we provide a one-stop solution that streamlines your supply chain. Partner with our advanced PCB prototype factory for quick turnarounds and superior results you can trust.
How to
Turn Designed PCBs into Real Products
When
the printed circuit board layout and schematic design are finished, it's time
to approach the production stage. During the printed circuit board assembly
service, we'll handle the production of the finished printed circuit board
design. This includes purchasing and placing components, applying solder paste
using custom stencil steel mesh, and performing multiple tests to ensure
product quality.
We
are at PCBasic to provide a turn-key solution for PCB and PCBA services,
including but not limited to all the above. Let's read the details of such
complicated fabrication services to understand what is going on behind the
scenes.
1. Components
purchasing
To
facilitate the custom circuit board, we need to purchase the required
components. At PCBasic, we'll take care of that by offering a turn-key solution
from PCB to PCBA production. Purchasing components might sound like an easy
task, but that's far from the truth. The market is suffering from component and
integrated circuit shortages. Finding suitable suppliers at a reasonable price
is not an easy task. Another issue when purchasing components is to avoid
counterfeit parts, resulting in the entire design malfunction and loss of
profits. Although such implications are severe, we can avoid those problems by
using a trusted supplier and service provider.
2. SMT
Stencil Making
Every
printed circuit board contains electronic components. Those can be a few
components and sometimes hundreds of different parts. Usually, the industry
uses solder paste to apply the components to the printed circuit board. Stencil
steel mesh is used to distribute the solder paste eventually across the entire
printed circuit board. A single stencil can be used thousands of times, which
is also a cost-effective approach for a finalized design. PCB design services –
from an idea to a product, PCB/PCBA services to fulfill your needs.
3. Printed
circuit board assembly
Once
we have the printed circuit board, the components, and the stencil steel mesh
in place, it's time to head over to our published circuit board assembly
procedure or, in short - PCBA. The PCBA is the final stage in the printed
circuit board design, and the result is a final working electronic board that
behaves based on the designer's expectations.
4. Final
Product Assembly
After
the PCBA manufacturing is completed, the final step is final product assembly,
which involves installing the circuit board into the enclosure and connecting
other components such as the display screen, battery, and connectors to form a
complete and functional electronic product.
At
this stage, not only should the parts be properly packed, but also functional
tests, appearance inspections and packaging should be conducted to ensure that
the product can work properly and has a qualified appearance and meets the
quality requirements of the customers.
Choosing
the Right PCB and PCBA Company: PCBasic
It
is very important to choose a reliable PCB manufacturer or PCB design company.
PCBasic is a leading PCB company in the industry, with strong advantages in
custom PCB design services, powerful production capacity, and stable PCB
printing and assembly services.
As
an outstanding Chinese PCB and PCBA manufacturer, PCBasic can offer one-stop
services from design to production and assembly, applicable to multiple fields
such as medical devices and consumer electronics.
Whether
you need a PCB prototype or batch PCB manufacturing, PCBasic can provide
high-quality and efficient solutions based on your requirements.
Advantages
of PCBasic’s PCB and Assembly
PCBasic
is a reliable and experienced company that provides complete PCB and assembly
solutions. Here’s what makes us stand out:
1. Experienced Teams
We have a team with over 10 years of PCB design experience and
another with 10+ years of project management experience, so your projects are
handled professionally from start to finish.
2. Multiple Factories
We operate different factories in different locations, such as a
small-batch factory in Shenzhen and a large-batch factory in Huizhou, to
meet different order needs.
3. In-house Stencil and Fixture
Production
We have our own factory to make stencils and fixtures, and we
can deliver stencils in as fast as 1 hour.
4. CNC Precision Machining
We provide CNC processing for
high-precision mechanical parts to ensure perfect assembly.
5. Smart Central Warehouse for Components
We use an intelligent warehouse system to manage parts and make
sure all components are original and in stock.
6. Quick BOM Upload and Instant Quoting
Just upload your BOM to our system, and you’ll get a fast quote
and lead time, making the process quick and easy.
7. Trusted Certifications and Patents
PCBasic is a national high-tech enterprise certified with
ISO13485, IATF 16949, ISO9001, ISO14001, and UL, and is also an IPC member.
We’ve also earned 20+ patents related to quality inspection and production
systems.
