Global PCB Connections: Rigid-flex and Flexible PCBs—The Backbone of Modern Electronics
Flexible Thinking: The Key to a Successful Flex Circuit Design Transfer
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Accurate Circuit Engineering: Be Nimble, Quick, and Open to Change
May 12, 2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
James Hofer, general manager of Accurate Circuit Engineering (ACE) in Southern California, shares his insights about his specialty, quick-turn company, the market, and the interesting times in which we find ourselves. James remains optimistic about bringing manufacturing back to the United States and takes great pride in the work that ACE does to support military, defense, and aerospace. As James looks toward a prosperous 2025, he reflects on his 40 years in the business and learning that the secret to success is not trying to be everything to everyone.
Marcy LaRont: James, please introduce yourself and Accurate Circuit Engineering.
James Hofer: Hello, Marcy. ACE is a small business in Santa Ana, California, founded in 1983 and specializing in quick-turn, high technology, high-mix, low-volume printed circuit boards. We truly live up to our tagline, “Nobody does it faster.”
I’m often asked how we manufacture our boards so fast. What works well for us is that we haven't tried to be everything to everyone. We do it better because we've stuck with our core competency throughout the past 40 years. When you do one thing for 40 years, you become really good at it.
We've had many opportunities to be bought out, and we are not interested in that. I believe there's a market for a single small, boutique-type shop. In shops like ours, you know who is building your product, and you know where it's being built. We don't try and mix in production with our quick-turn. We are quick-turn, period.
LaRont: What technologies are you playing in?
Hofer: Being a prototype shop, we do a little bit of everything. However, our real expertise is RF, microwave, high speed, and antennas. We don't build flex and rigid-flex. Therefore, we wanted to excel in a technology that doesn't compete with the low-cost shops out there, and that really is in RF, microwave, and antennas. It’s also because we understand that frequency matters, and in RF and antenna it truly does. You have to be specialized and cognizant of the nuances of the manufacturing that goes into RF boards—and we are.
To read the entire interview, which originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
Muon Space Awarded $44.6M Space Force SBIR Phase III Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement
10/13/2025 | Muon SpaceMuon Space, a leading provider of end-to-end space systems specializing in mission-optimized satellite constellations, announced it has been awarded a $44.6 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Firm Fixed Price Phase III Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement from the United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command System Delta 810 (SYD 810).
T-Tech, Inc. Unveils the 5 Axis Quick Mill
09/19/2025 | T-TechT-Tech, Inc., a global leader in Rapid Prototyping Equipment, is excited to announces the launch of its latest innovation, the 5 Axis Quick Mill ™.
Be the Partner Engineers Can Rely On
07/08/2025 | Nolan Johnson, SMT007 MagazineGreen Circuits’ unique niche in the electronics manufacturing industry comes partly from its location in Silicon Valley, but also from its specialty of serving up quick-turn prototypes and low-volume work with high-complexity production. In this conversation, CEO Michael Hinshaw emphasizes the value of end-to-end services, especially while the pace of R&D development is accelerating amidst a growing demand for complexity across industries.
Avnet Technology Links STMicroelectronics’ STM32 Microcontrollers
04/11/2025 | AvnetDesign engineers who struggle with chip down design will now be able to quickly prototype and deploy their projects based on STM32 series of microcontrollers, specifically the STM32F7 and STM32N6 series.
Universal Electronics Unveils Revolutionary QuickSet homeSense Technology at CES
01/01/2025 | BUSINESS WIREUniversal Electronics Inc. (UEI), a global leader in smart home technology, is thrilled to announce the launch of its groundbreaking QuickSet homeSense technology at the upcoming International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this January.