Introduction
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are essential components in all electronic devices and products. For engineers and companies developing new electronics hardware, having access to a PCB factory that can manufacture prototype boards with quick turnaround times enables faster iteration and testing during the design process.
This article will cover key considerations when selecting a quick turn PCB factory, provide an overview of top providers known for fast fabrication times, and share tips for successfully partnering with the right manufacturer.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Quick Turn PCB Factory
Turnaround Time
The most important specification when researching quick turn PCB fabrication partners is how fast they can deliver finished boards. For prototyping services, good target turnaround times to look for are:
- 24-48 hours for ultra-expedited orders
- 3-5 days for standard fast-turn orders
- 10-15 days maximum for small batches
Ideally, the factory should be able to scale up to higher production volumes later with similar lead times.
Capabilities
Evaluate the quick turn factory’s capabilities in terms of PCB technologies they support. This includes:
- Layer counts – 2+ layer boards
- Materials – FR4, Rogers, polyimide, etc.
- Finishes – HASL, immersion silver, ENIG, etc.
- Smallest/largest dimensions
- High density interconnect (HDI) PCBs
- Compliance testing – UL, IPC standards, etc.
Matching your design’s specifications will ensure the factory can support your board fabrication needs.
Quality Processes
No matter how fast they manufacture PCBs, the factory must produce high quality boards. Look for robust quality assurance procedures like:
- Automated optical inspection (AOI)
- IPC validation testing
- Component traceability
- Process monitoring and change control
- Employee training certification
High standards for quality are crucial, even under tight deadlines.
Location and Logistics
For fastest possible turnaround on delivery of finished PCBs, working with a factory located close to you geographically is ideal. Domestic providers will have faster shipping.
For budget-friendly options, Asian factories offer good value but longer shipping times. Check where the factory is located relative to you.
Engineering Support
The best quick turn PCB partners provide engineering assistance and design reviews to catch issues early before manufacturing starts. This helps optimize designs for manufacturability and prevent delays.
Look for design rule checking (DRC) services and willingness of the company to work closely with you on the design files to ensure the fastest fabrication timelines.
Customer Service and Communication
With fast turnarounds, clear communication is essential throughout the prototyping process. The factory staff should provide timely responses to any questions and give regular production updates. They should also have customer support available for resolving any issues.
Overview of Top Quick Turn PCB Factories
Here are several well-known, reliable PCB manufacturing partners capable of fast turnaround times:
Advanced Circuits
- Location: Aurora, CO, USA
- Turnaround Time: 24 hours expedited
- Capabilities: Prototyping & small-medium production runs
Advanced Circuits is one of the largest PCB manufacturers in the USA. Their “Same Day Turn” service can deliver boards in just 24 hours if ordered before 11AM MST. They also offer design reviews and domestic facilities for fast shipping.
PCBWay
- Location: China
- Turnaround Time: 24-72 hrs expedited
- Capabilities: SMT assembly, flexible PCBs, HDI
PCBWay has factories in China optimized for fast production of prototypes and small batches. They offer 24 hour rush and 48 hour expedited services. Their quality and engineering support get good reviews.
JLCPCB
- Location: China
- Turnaround Time: 2 days expedited
- Capabilities: Low cost prototyping & assembly
JLCPCB has earned popularity among hobbyists and makers for affordable PCB fabrication. They have a 2 day turnaround for just $20 more on expedited orders. Best for simple board designs.
Sunstone Circuits
- Location: Mulino, OR, USA
- Turnaround Time: 48 hours
- Capabilities: Quick-turn, complex boards with tight tolerances
Sunstone specializes in short-run PCB prototyping with their Swift service guaranteeing 48 hour delivery. They build boards with optimized LPI solder masks suited for tight tolerance manufacturing.
ALLPCB
- Location: China
- Turnaround Time: 3 days expedited
- Capabilities: Multilayer, HDI, & flex/rigid-flex PCBs
ALLPCB offers cost-effective prototyping and production of complex boards. They have quick turn services starting at just 3 day delivery. Well suited to higher complexity designs.
EuroCircuits
- Location: Ireland
- Turnaround Time: 5 days expedited
- Capabilities: Prototyping services in Europe
For engineers located in Europe, EuroCircuits provides fast PCB fabrication and assembly on the continent. They offer 5 day expedited turnaround making them a solid regional option.
Tips for Successfully Working With a Quick Turn Partner
Follow these best practices when engaging with a quick turn PCB factory:
- Get quotes from multiple options – Contact several leading candidates, provide your complete requirements, and have them provide official quotes for comparison.
- Do design reviews – Have the factory’s engineers review your board designs and offer DFM feedback before finalizing orders. This ensures manufacturability.
- Order as early as possible – Give the factory maximum time to fabricate your boards by placing orders early and ahead of cutoff times.
- Use online tools – The best PCB partners provide web-based tools to error check files, get live pricing, and track orders. Leverage these for convenience.
- Communicate proactively – Discuss any tight deadlines or special requirements upfront so the factory can accommodate. Respond quickly if they have any questions.
- Ask about lead time reality – Some advertised turnaround times sound too good to be true. Ask the factory for realistic times based on your specific design.
- Plan for extra PCBs – Order a few extra boards above your needs in case any are damaged or have defects. PCB factories typically provide extras.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical quick turnaround times from PCB factories?
For PCB prototyping, typical expedited lead times are:
- 24-48 hours for ultra-rush fabrication
- 3-5 days for fast standard turns
- 10-15 days for accelerated small batch orders
Leading quick turn factories will advertise and commit to these fast timelines.
What are the main disadvantages of quick turn PCB production?
Faster fabrication can increase chances of defects and quality issues compared to standard lead times. Communication and rework to fix problems can also be more difficult on super rushed orders.
Additionally, expedited services often cost significantly more than normal fabrication – often 30-50% higher pricing.
Should I use quick turn services for mass production PCB orders?
For higher volume production runs, quick turn services are usually not necessary or cost effective. Standard ~15-20 day lead times from most factories work fine when you already have a validated design.
However, some factories do specialize in both fast prototyping and higher volume orders with greater efficiency between runs. These can be good long term partners.
How can I optimize my PCB designs for fast fabrication?
Tips for optimizing boards for quick turn prototyping:
- Use larger trace widths and spacing when possible
- Avoid via-in-pad, blind/buried vias, and microvias
- Minimize number of unique layers and laminations
- Stay within factory’s design rules and utilize their design review services
Simple 2-4 layer boards are most manufacturable for fast turnaround.
What CAD software do PCB factories prefer for best results?
Most modern PCB factories accept Gerber files generated from all major PCB design software packages. These include:
- Altium
- Cadence Allegro
- Mentor Graphics Xpedition
- KiCad
- Eagle
- OrCAD
- Pads
- Zuken CR-8000
follow the factory’s design rules and file preparation guidelines for best results across different software tools.
Conclusion
Selecting the right quick turn PCB factory partner is key for engineers and companies that need to prototype iteratively and test designs rapidly. Using the guidelines in this article, you can find the perfect match that fits your budget, design requirements, and expedited fabrication needs. With a reliable fast turn partner, you can accelerate innovation and reduce development timelines.
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