THE ENGINEERING BLUEPRINT FOR EVALUATING YOUR

ELECTRONIC CONTRACT MANUFACTURER

LECTRONICS.NET

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INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: RECOGNIZE THE TYPES OF ENGINEERS A CONTRACT MANUFACTURER SHOULD EMPLOY

CHAPTER 2: CHECK FOR INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS

CHAPTER 3: VERIFY YOUR DOCUMENTATION IS BEING ANALYZED CORRECTLY

CONCLUSION

CONTENTS

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9

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INTRODUCTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING THE RIGHT ELECTRONIC

CONTRACT MANUFACTURER

Your ideal electronic contract manufacturer (CM) will be the right fit for the job in every sense. Technical proficiency and engineering excellence are musts, as are the proper training programs, degrees, and industry certifications. Making sure you employ the optimal contract manufacturing company and engineers can make an enormous impact on your overall build experience and the quality of your final print circuit board assembly (PCBA), box build, or other electronic product.

It’s critical to understand the engineering aspect of contract manufacturing to ascertain whether the team you’re partnering with is as proficient as possible. Otherwise, you could fall prey to costly and time-consuming inefficiencies and mistakes. Electronics engineering is a complex and sophisticated field that requires a certain level of education, training, and experience. Hiring the right team members for the job can make all the difference in the success of the project.

Use this eBook to learn the engineering side of electronics manufacturing and find the right CM for you. It will walk you through the more technical aspects of the hunt, such as the different types of engineers, industry certifications, and documentation analysis best practices. It will serve as an excellent foundation for finding the best match for your unique project requirements, based on current industry standards and accepted technical aptitudes for electronic engineers. Make your search simple and fruitful with this guide!

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You can’t accurately assess the quality of an electronic contract manufacturer without at least a cursory understanding of current engineering best practices. It’s up to you to learn the latest techniques and protocols in the electronics manufacturing industry. That way, you can tell how technologically advanced, or not, a CM is before signing a contract. Although the field of electronics manufacturing is constantly evolving, there are several best practices that have remained constant over the years. Use this list as a jumping-off point to find out if a contractor obeys accepted industry standards – or even goes above and beyond them!

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENGINEERS IN ELECTRONIC CONTRACT MANUFACTURINGWhen finding your CM, there are a few different types of engineers your contract manufacturer should employ. Almost all circuit board builds and other electronic manufacturing projects require a team effort between multiple types of engineers. The preferred type will vary depending on the project. Each professional brings something unique to the table in the form of his or her specialty.

CHAPTER 1: RECOGNIZE THE TYPES OF ENGINEERS A CONTRACT

MANUFACTURER SHOULD EMPLOY

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Here’s a brief overview of different types of engineers a CM should have on their team:

Associate. An Associate Engineer has an Associate’s degree and receives in-house training from the organization. This type of engineer provides support by analyzing customer documentation for potential issues during manufacturing and assembly. The associate engineer will review the bill of materials (BoMs), approved vendor listings (AVLs), assembly drawings, PCB fabrication specifications, Gerber files, and more; then help coordinate information for presentation in the official Design for Manufacturability (DfM) review and report. A strong CM will supply the DfM to the end customer as part of the pre-production review process.

Component. A professional engineer that requires an electrical engineering degree. A component engineer reviews customer BoMs, verifies component compliance, and determines if there is a better alternative to meet customer needs or improve supply chain. He or she works with the Quoting Department to determine alternatives, supports the Documentation Department with component requirement questions and engineering changes, and provides Purchasing with evaluations of component sourcing and specifications. This engineer also resolves customer component AVL issues and produces component obsolescence reports.

Test. Associate Test Engineers need at least an Associate’s Degree or deep work experience in electronics, while a Senior Test Engineer and Test Engineer Manager will need degrees in electrical engineering. Test Engineers develop and record test processes for production with the goal of improving product quality. This engineer works closely with customers to establish cost-effective test strategies, offers training to Test staff members to improve troubleshooting and efficiency, and supports manufacturing teams on electrical testing requirements.

Although the field of electronics

manufacturing is constantly

evolving, there are several best practices that have remained constant over

the years.

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Pre-Production. The goal of a Pre-Production Engineer is to get the PCBA build ready for production. These engineers analyze customer documentation to check for potential issues during manufacture and assembly, using knowledge of the PCB fabrication process and electronic components. The Pre-Production Engineer helps to generate a DfM review and report, and assists the documentation team in creating manufacturing visual aids for the factory floor.

Process. May require a degree in engineering. A Process Engineer optimizes the overall manufacturing process, using lean tools to achieve the best standard while still monitoring these processes to find ways to improve. He or she establishes processes that ensure product quality standards while meeting/exceeding customer expectation. The process engineer provides technical counsel, reviews safe manufacturing practices, validates equipment safety, collects and analyzes data, develops new processes for the future, and identifies opportunities for improvement. In some cases, consider the type of Process Engineers at an electronics contract manufacturer. If they offer conformal coating or potting in-house, do they have a chemical engineer on staff to support the nuanced requirements of this process? How about mechanical engineers to provide support with electro-mechanical box build products? Consider asking about additional process engineering support.

Quality. Requires Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering field. The Quality Engineer supports risk management by performing corrective actions for suppliers and customers. He or she works on the floor with production to assure quality, coordinated training for productions team on electrostatic discharge (ESD) standards and IPC inspections, contributes to the development of quality systems, establishes product quality controls, and trains personnel in proper quality manufacturing processes. Has the authority to halt production or shipment if products do not comply.

Hiring the right types

of engineers to oversee business practices, assembly, and code

compliance is the foundation of an excellent

electronics manufacturer.

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When building a strong, able-bodied, and productive contract manufacturing team, your CM should employ all of the above-mentioned types of engineers. For PCB assembly to be as safe, effective, and efficient as possible, your CM should work like a well-oiled machine. Hiring the right types of engineers to oversee business practices, assembly, and code compliance is the foundation of an excellent electronics manufacturer.

PERSONALIZED, CUTTING-EDGE MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS A CM can invest in all the equipment in the world but will still fall short without the brains and creativity behind those machines. Today, best practices for CM engineers include personalized manufacturing solutions and cutting-edge innovations to benefit your business. Search for a CM who is excited and passionate about the field, and who employs the right team members to come up with the solutions you need for your business. Find a vendor that can fulfill your needs while using the latest best practices for the equipment you’re requesting.

For example, advances in electronic products have led to a demand for circuit boards that can withstand irregularities such as 3D housing units or intense vibrations. To supply this demand, an electronic contract manufacturer must have the capacity to design and create flex and rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB) assembly solutions. These are the latest innovations in PCB assembly and are custom-designed to withstand the evolving elements of medical, aerospace, and military electronic applications. Find an engineer with flex circuit assembly capability to save costs, optimize performance, and make sure your PCBs can withstand any demand.

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QUALITY CONTROLIf your CM can’t guarantee some form of quality consistency or control, the company can’t guarantee electronics that will work. While some large companies may be willing to withstand a subpar assembly here and there, mistakes made during manufacturing (or low-quality products all around) can sink a smaller or newer company. It’s up to you to find a CM that prioritizes quality engineers to run the factory and ensure your success. A “quality” engineer possesses the following traits:

Analytical mind. An engineer should have a strong desire to analyze things and figure them out. He or she is constantly examining things in an effort to fix them or make them better. Natural inquisitiveness.

Creativity. The science of engineering isn’t only technical – it takes a great creative mind to think of new and innovative ideas and techniques. Creativity helps to design new systems that work better than the old.

Special skills. The best engineers possess certain skill sets, either naturally or through education and training. Engineers need excellent skills in listening, problem-solving, communication, math, mechanics, and leadership.

Finding a CM with an exceptional team of engineers is a daunting task, but it gets much easier when you know what to look for. Seek high-quality engineers with the proper education and backgrounds for the positions they hold. Then, make sure the CM trains those engineers according to its own unique standards and practices, tailoring the team especially for the type of assembly solutions they offer. With the right team supporting your project, you and your CM will succeed.

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Industry-specific electronic manufacturing certifications should not be optional when it comes to choosing your electronic contract manufacturer. Although there is no official requirement that a CM must have quality certifications, they serve as important forms of proof that your CM knows what it’s doing and complies with the best industry standards and practices. Without exception, always check for a CM’s certifications (in your industry as well as general certifications) before you enter into contract negotiations with the vendor. Certifications are your safeguard against low-quality or untrustworthy manufacturers.

WHY ARE INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS SO IMPORTANT?Whether you’re a small manufacturer or an enormous corporation, the quality of your original electronics matters to your reputation in your industry. One mistake can put you behind the pack and even lead to legal issues such as product liability lawsuits. The best way to protect yourself from quality problems is to work with a company that boasts quality certifications in your industry. Certifications show that the CM not only complies with the highest standards of care, but that it takes enough pride in its work to make the extra effort to obtain and maintain official certificates.

CHAPTER 2: CHECK FOR INDUSTRY

CERTIFICATIONS

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Did you know that virtually anyone who can operate manufacturing equipment can call him/herself an electronic contract manufacturer? That’s right – there are zero requirements in terms of who can and cannot hold the title of a CM. The number of CM services currently on the market can make hunting for the right one an ordeal. Making industry certifications one of your requirements to partner with a CM will narrow choices down to only those that meet stringent product manufacturing qualifications in your industry. This is an excellent start to searching for the perfect one.

If a CM has a manufacturing certification in your industry, this means it applied for this certificate, met the registrar’s strict quality and management requirements, and received official proof of its prowess. Certification requirements will vary depending on the industry, but always require unparalleled standards of product quality. Certifications show that not only does the CM meet the highest quality benchmarks, but it constantly works to improve its facility and achieve even greater customer outcomes. Look at industry certifications as stamps of approval that guarantee that you’re working with an electronics CM you can trust.

WHAT CERTIFICATIONS SHOULD YOUR CM HAVE?The answer to this question will depend on the industry. There are unique certifications for aerospace, defense, medical, telematics, oil and gas, and other industries. There are also different registrars that issue certifications. One of the most established is the ISO, or the International Organization for Standardization. ISO certifications represent golden standards across different industries, as well as for general electronics manufacturing. The ISO 9000 group, for example, contains some of the most well-known electronics manufacturing standards, including ISO 9001.

The ISO 9001 certification is only available to manufacturers that exhibit certain quality management principles, especially with a strong customer focus. It shows that the CM approaches circuit board and electronics manufacturing with constant improvement

Make sure the registrar

who produces the CM’s

certifications is accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (known

as ANAB).

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and production optimization. ISO 9001 is proof that the company is dedicated to customer success, and consistently ensures customers receive high-quality products. The ISO 9001 is the most common industry standard, with more than one million businesses worldwide holding certifications.

Aside from general ISO certifications, you should also look for industry-specific ones. These might include ISO 13485 for the medical industry, AS9100 for aerospace equipment manufacturing, and ITAR for defense industry manufacturing. These certifications only belong to contract manufacturers that meet stringent requirements according to the individual industry. They have gone above and beyond to prove their workmanship, quality, and dedication to customer satisfaction in unique sectors. A CM must apply, qualify, and receive these certificates separately, as well as undergo occasional audits to ensure consistent quality.

ALWAYS ASK TO SEE INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS Without certifications, there is no way to guarantee the quality of a CM’s products or services. Always ask if a manufacturer has any certifications, and request to see the certificates yourself to verify their authenticity and validity. If a company won’t show you its certifications, seek a contract elsewhere. There are plenty of vendors who have the proof and are more than willing to provide it upon request, including Saline Lectronics.

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A successful printed circuit board or electronic device assembly depends on the level of involvement from your contract manufacturer. Other OEMs who hesitate before signing on for outsourcing electronics manufacturing have probably encountered the common issue of CMs that only follow specific customer instructions. These CMs can all too easily set their customers up for failure, as they don’t evaluate the customer’s documentation prior to beginning production. Instead, you need to partner with a CM that will fully evaluate your documentation and work closely with you during the entire manufacturing process.

WHAT SHOULD YOUR ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTATION INCLUDE?First, understand your own responsibilities in creating the documentation for your product. A lot goes into creating efficient, powerful, and reliable electronics. Whether you need to create PCBs, box builds, or other devices, documentation is needed at every step of the assembly process. Documentation starts with preparing drawings for your CM. Your drawings should include all the schematics for your product, with high-quality information about product assembly. Be as specific as possible about your quality requirements , as well as indicate any special assembly steps required.

CHAPTER 3: VERIFY YOUR DOCUMENTATION IS

BEING ANALYZED CORRECTLY

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Your documentation should also include the following:

Reference to workmanship standard you require

PCB Gerber data and CAD data

Functional specification to describe how the product should work

Bill of materials with complete manufacturer part information

Approved vendor list to specific manufacturers for each component

Design and testing requirements or guidelines

Quality specifications and regulatory requirements

No matter how much time and effort you put into your assembly documentation, there’s no guarantee it’s going to be perfect. That’s why you need an electronic contract manufacturer, with a talented and robust engineering staff, that will always provide an in-depth evaluation of your documentation before starting assembly. Reviews of your documentation package can make an enormous difference in the capabilities of your end product, as well as in how much you spend and how long your project takes. Working with a CM that will assess and build from your documentation, instead of blindly following directions, gives you a significant advantage.

WHY YOU SHOULD ONLY WORK WITH CMS THAT REVIEW DOCUMENTATION PACKAGESIn the ever-expanding electronics industry, more and more CMs are rushing through assembly processes to fill greater demands. This often means little documentation evaluation prior to putting a project through to the assembly line. No evaluation puts all of the pressure on the client to make sure the documentation is 100% perfect for optimized assembly. Luckily, not all CMs operate this way. Some, including Saline Lectronics, always review documentation packages, helping you avoid only-following-instructions types of manufacturers.

Working with a CM that will

assess and build from your documentation,

instead of blindly following directions, gives you a significant

advantage.

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With a CM that provides thorough documentation evaluation, you can rest assured that even if your package isn’t perfect, your end result will be. Evaluation also eliminates the risk of misinterpretations of your specifications, which can easily be an issue. Fully vetting your files means no room for miscommunication or assumptions. In the end, this equates to fewer mistakes, a better-functioning product, and a stronger relationship with your electronic contract manufacturer.

FIND A CM THAT CARESThere’s no question that documentation is critical to the success, quality, and consistency of your products. The best CMs will go above and beyond your instructions to create products that are the very best they can be, instead of following your instructions without a care as to the quality of your end product or success of your company. Make sure the CM you select is committed to your long-term goals. Choose one that goes above and beyond simple instruction-following and into a complete and comprehensive evaluation of your documentation.

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CONTACT US TODAY

CONCLUSION:YOUR IDEAL CM IS OUT THERE!

Diving into the world of electronics engineering can make you feel like you’re in over your head. With a bit of background knowledge about the engineering side of how a CM should operate, however, you can navigate the waters easily. Arming yourself with knowledge about the type of engineering needed to support electronics assembly makes you a more powerful negotiator. You won’t have to go with the first CM you find for lack of knowing any better. Instead, you can carefully assess the CM’s engineers and technical proficiencies to determine whether they are the right fit for you.

Remember, the main facts to know about finding the right CM from an engineering perspective are:

Right types of engineers

Industry certifications

Proper document analysis and review

With these elements in place prior to production, you can feel confident that your project will be a smashing success. Your CM will have a powerful team of engineering professionals to get the job done according to your unique specifications, deadline, and budget. You’ll benefit from a team that prioritizes efficiency and constantly searches for