Effective PCB Prototyping Requires the Right Partnership


There are many pressures driving today’s electronic system designs. Demand is higher than ever to push innovation boundaries, while still meeting ever shrinking time-to-market windows. To be successful it’s essential for electronic system designs to make use of rapid, reliable and cost-effective PCB prototyping and assembly services.

The process of developing new electronic systems has become more dynamic than ever. Energized by significant new trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0 and “smart” devices, opportunities are greater than ever in all the major electronics sectors: consumer, industrial, automotive, electromedical and mobile.

To keep pace, system developers have to adapt to new paradigms. This means abandoning of pure hardware solutions in favor of “mixed” hardware and software solutions—systems where programmable components are now common. That said, hardware designers remain the first link in the product development chain and are therefore required to produce a working prototype in a short time. Such prototypes enable them to continue with the firmware development and final validation of the product. In this article we’ll discuss how key services—entirely available online—help serve today’s demanding PCB prototyping, assembly and production needs and how partnering with PCBWay can help meet those needs.

Prototyping and PCB Production
Although there’s a rich set of materials and technologies for the manufacture of PCBs, it’s important to choose them wisely based on the requirements of your specific application and the available budget. Traditional solutions are represented by FR-4 cards (fiberglass) and aluminum cards. FR-4—commonly known as vetronite or epoxy glass—is a composite material based on glass fibers arranged orthogonally between two layers in an epoxy resin matrix. Fiberglass is an excellent insulator—robust, light and flame resistant.


Additional products to consider...