5 Solid Reasons to Outsource Printed Circuit Board Assembly

Printed circuit boards or PCBs are at the core of virtually all modern electronics. From smartphones and medical devices to automotive components and appliances, PCBs enable the functionality that powers our everyday lives. But when it comes to printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) i.e. the complex process of mounting electronic components onto the board – it’s a whole different ballgame.

If you’re a company developing electronics, you might be wondering whether to handle PCBA internally or outsource it to professionals. To help you make an informed decision, this blog explores what PCBA entails and five compelling reasons to outsource it to a specialized provider.

What Is Printed Circuit Board Assembly

Before diving into why outsourcing PCBA is smart, it’s essential to understand what the process involves.

PCBA is the assembly stage of building a PCB. It includes soldering components like resistors, capacitors, and microchips onto the bare board to make it functional. This process requires a mix of advanced technology, precise craftsmanship, and strict quality controls to ensure the electronic components connect correctly and the board performs its intended function.

Typically, the PCBA process can include the following steps:

• Solder Paste Application: A stencil is used to apply solder paste (a mixture of solder and flux) to specific areas of the PCB.

• Component Placement: Automated equipment or manual processes place components on the board with high precision.

• Soldering: Components are affixed using techniques such as reflow soldering (for surface-mounted devices) or wave soldering (for through-hole components).

• Inspection and Quality Control: Advanced inspection methods like Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) or X-ray inspection detect defects and misalignments.

• Functional Testing: Finished boards are tested to ensure they operate as designed.

Each of these steps demands significant expertise and specialized equipment, which is why many organizations choose to outsource the task.

5 Reasons to Outsource PCBA to a Professional Company

Handling PCBA internally may seem tempting, particularly for companies aiming to keep operations in-house. However, outsourcing to a professional PCBA service provider offers undeniable advantages. Here are five key reasons to consider it:

1. Leverage Industry Expertise

Professional PCBA companies come with the advantage of years of experience and expertise in the field. By outsourcing, you’re partnering with a team that thoroughly understands the intricacies of PCB assembly, including component selection, material management, and compliance with industry standards.

Their expertise enables them to troubleshoot potential issues, reduce defects, and ensure your boards meet both functional and regulatory requirements. This is critical, especially in industries with stringent quality expectations, such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare.

For example, specialized PCBA providers are familiar with certifications like ISO 9001 (quality management) or IPC-A-610 (acceptability of electronic assemblies). This ensures that your boards undergo rigorous inspection and testing to perform flawlessly in real-world conditions.

2. Save Time and Focus on Core Competencies

The PCBA process is highly technical and labor-intensive, requiring detailed coordination, specialized staff, and extensive setup. For companies that don’t already operate in the electronic manufacturing space, creating a PCBA infrastructure can be time-consuming and costly.

By outsourcing PCBA, you free up your team’s time to focus on your core competencies, such as product innovation and design. Rather than spreading your resources thin, outsourcing allows you to concentrate on areas that directly contribute to your company’s bottom line.

Additionally, professional assemblers already have the facilities, tools, and trained personnel to produce PCBs faster and more efficiently than new in-house setups. This can drastically accelerate the production timeline for your product.

3. Access to Advanced Technology and Equipment

Sophisticated PCB assembly requires cutting-edge technology and equipment that are expensive to purchase and maintain. For example, reflow ovens, pick-and-place machines, and AOI or X-ray systems can represent significant capital investments.

When you outsource PCBA, you gain access to state-of-the-art assembly lines without having to bear the upfront costs. Established assembly companies continuously upgrade their tools and technologies, ensuring you benefit from the most advanced manufacturing capabilities on the market.

This access is critical for creating high-precision boards and integrating the latest electronic components such as micro-BGAs (Ball Grid Arrays) or 0201-size surface-mounted devices. What is the result? More compact, reliable, and cutting-edge circuitry for your product!

4. Ensure Better Quality Control

A single defect in a PCB can lead to significant issues downstream – ranging from product malfunctions to costly recalls or even damage to your brand reputation. Professional PCBA providers put a major emphasis on quality assurance (QA) and deploy advanced inspection techniques to catch potential issues early.

Here’s how outsourcing can improve quality control:

• Automated Inspections: Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) can quickly identify soldering defects or missing components.

• X-Ray Imaging: For boards with dense layouts, X-ray machines can detect hidden faults in solder joints or multi-layer connections.

• Functional Testing: Outsourcing providers often run functional tests under real-world conditions to ensure reliability and longevity.

These rigorous QA processes reduce the likelihood of defective products reaching your customers, saving you money and protecting your reputation.

5. Scale Production Efficiently

Does your company plan to scale up in the near future? Handling PCBA internally can limit your ability to scale efficiently, especially if you need to fulfill high-volume orders on tight deadlines.

Outsourcing to a PCBA company enables you to ramp up production based on your needs without encountering supply chain bottlenecks. Established manufacturers use processes like Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management to ensure your components arrive when needed, minimizing delays while keeping your costs lower.

This flexibility also applies to prototyping. Whether you need a quick turn on a small batch of boards for testing or a full-scale production run, outsourcing providers are equipped to handle your requirements seamlessly.

Final Thoughts

Deciding whether to outsource PCBA or handle it internally can have major implications for your business. With the growing complexity and demand for reliable PCBs, partnering with a professional assembly provider is often the smarter, more cost-effective choice.

By outsourcing, you gain access to an experienced team, advanced tools, and high-quality control measures that ensure your boards are built to perform and scale with your company’s growth.

Looking for a trusted printed circuit board assembly partner? Take the first step by requesting quotes from leading providers today!