The Survey Said: Why Don’t You Know Your Fabricator?

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When we want to find out what challenges our readers are facing, we just ask. And they don’t mind sharing—the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

In a recent survey, we asked our PCB designer readers, “Why don’t you know who is going to manufacture your boards?” Here are some of the more interesting replies we received (and edited slightly for clarity). Do you see yourself in these replies? 

1. The client hasn't thought about that part of the project.
2. Because it's the business of the company purchaser.
3. We are a service bureau so almost always ask, but often the OEM design engineer doesn't know (yet). Also, vendor selection is not the easiest since it is somewhat of a dynamic situation.
4. We use CEMs with whom we've partnered for many years, and they will find the most appropriate PCB manufacturer for us. One board has specific impedance requirements, and we partner with a specialist for that board.
5. We have two options: 1. Price-sensitive: If the board is low-tech, producer will be the cheapest one found that can still meet basic quality requirements.  2. Subcontracted manufacturing: After the design is complete, it is given to an external partner, who handles ordering, manufacture, assembly, and testing as they see fit while meeting specified quality criteria, to reduce maintenance workload on in-house engineers. 

The I-Connect007 Research Team regularly polls members of the electronics manufacturing industry on trends in the industry so we can bring you topics that you care about.