PCB Prototype Service
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- 1Order and Procurement
- 2PCB Manufacturing and Preparation
- 3Assembly and Soldering
- 4Inspection and Quality Control
- 5Finalization and Shipping
- Bare PCB in 8 working hours
- PCBA with components in 2 working days
- Bare PCB manufacturing
- Components sourcing
- PCB assembling
- Wire harness manufacturing
- Casing /Housing manufacturing
- Programming/Testing
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Need a PCB Prototype?
We at OurPCB are here to assist you. Our PCB prototype service offer up to 32 layers, available in 5, 10, and 20 units. As a leading PCB manufacturer with lots of happy customers all around the world, especially in the USA, our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to delivering high-quality, reliable PCB Assembly services to meet all your electronic requirements.
What is a PCB Prototype?
A PCB prototype is an early sample or model of a printed circuit board (PCB), created to test and verify the functionality and performance of the design before moving to mass production. This allows engineers to identify and fix any design flaws or errors early on, saving time and money in the long run.
PCB prototypes are usually produced in smaller batches, from 5 to 20 at a time. This is more than enough to provide detailed real-world testing and allow for error correction and fast iterations to optimize a product as quickly as possible.
Benefits of PCB Prototypes
Early Error Detection and Correction
A prototype is the ideal way to pick up errors or flaws in the product and fix them before full-scale production. Creating and testing a batch of 5 to 20 products is much more cost-effective than producing hundreds or thousands without realizing there’s a flaw that renders it ineffective or hampers performance.
Design Validation and Optimization
The prototype helps to validate the design. It allows engineers to make sure the PCB functions as intended and that all components interact correctly. Any discrepancies between the expected behavior and the actual behavior can be identified and addressed early.
Reduced Time to Market
Fixing errors early allows you to optimize your product before you go full-scale. Even going through 3 or 4 iterations of prototype PCBs is faster than going through large-scale production and discovering an error later.
The faster you get your products to market, the sooner you can start making back the money you spent on fabricating the products.
Cost Savings
By catching errors early in the design process, prototypes help prevent expensive mistakes in mass production. Fixing errors at the prototype stage is much cheaper than recalling and reworking faulty products later on.
Multiple prototype iterations might seem like wasting money upfront, but it’s a small price to pay for high-quality, optimized products that have been tested and proven to perform under pressure.
Customization and Flexibility
Low-volume prototype PCB production allows for greater flexibility in product design. Engineers can quickly make design changes to improve their product and test it on the go, without wasting valuable time.
Competitive Advantage
Taking the time to test and optimize your product before going to market gives you an edge over competitors who may put out high volumes before fixing errors. It also ends up saving money that could be put towards other costs, like advertising your product once it’s on the market.
Choosing to prototype your product before going to large-scale production is an example of working smart, not hard. In a highly competitive consumer electronics market, this could put you ahead of competitors early in the game.
PCB Board Prototype Specifications
Manufacturing Standard IPC-2, F4-TG140
1 to 32 Layers
Quantity of 5, 10, or 20
0.2 to 5 mm Thickness
0.5- to 5-ounce Copper Range
3 mm Minimum Track Width and Space
Hole Size > 0.2 mm
100% Manufacturing Checks
Lead Time from 5 Days
Types of Prototype Printed Circuit Boards We Offer
Single-Sided
A single-sided PCB, also known as a single-layer PCB, is the simplest type of printed circuit board. It has a single layer of conductive material, usually copper, on one side of a non-conductive substrate, like fiberglass. The copper layer is etched to create the circuit pattern, which includes conductive traces, pads for soldering components, and vias for connecting different layers if needed.
Due to their simple design, single-sided PCBs are easy to manufacture and cost-effective. They are suitable for simple, low-density designs and are often employed in simple electronic devices such as calculators, LED lights, power supplies, and some basic analog circuits.
Double-Sided
A double-sided PCB offers conductive copper layers on both sides, as opposed to a single-sided PCB, which only has one layer. This allows for components to be mounted on both sides and for traces (conductive pathways) to run on both sides as well.
Double-sided PCBs enable more intricate circuit designs and higher component density compared to single-sided PCBs. They are suitable for a wide range of applications, from simple electronics to more complex devices like LED lighting, car dashboards, and industrial controls.
Multilayer
A multilayered PCB consists of more than two conductive copper layers. These copper layers are sandwiched between insulating materials (usually prepreg and core materials), and interconnected through vias (small holes plated with conductive material).
Multilayered PCBs can range from four layers to over a hundred, depending on the complexity of the design and its function.
Flexible
A flexible PCB (also called a flex circuit or flex board) is made from a flexible base material, typically polyimide or similar polymers. Unlike traditional rigid PCBs, flex PCBs can bend, twist, and conform to different shapes without breaking.
This makes flex PCBs ideal for applications where space is limited or where the PCB needs to conform to an irregular shape. They are also generally thinner and lighter than rigid PCBs, which can help where weight is a concern.
Rigid-Flex
A rigid-flex PCB is a hybrid circuit board that combines the characteristics of both rigid and flexible PCBs. It consists of multiple layers of flexible circuit substrates attached to one or more rigid circuit boards, either externally or internally.
The flexible sections of the board can bend and conform to different shapes, allowing for greater design flexibility and space optimization. The rigid sections provide structural support and protection for the flexible areas, keeping the board’s overall integrity and reliability.
PCB Prototype Materials We Work With
FR-4
A specific grade of combined fiberglass and reinforced epoxy laminate.
Polyamide
A synthetic polymer, known for its high tensile strength, flexibility, and durability.
Rogers Material
A family of high-performance laminate materials.
CEM-3
Made of woven glass fabric surfaces and a non-woven glass core, bonded together with an epoxy resin binder.
Copper
Used in conductive traces and planes, as well as heat management.
Prepreg
A dielectric material used to bind and insulate the copper layers within a multilayer PCB.
Why Choose Our PCB Prototyping Services?
OurPCB is a leading PCB assembly manufacturer, in the industry, and we’ve been providing PCB prototype services for almost 20 years. We offer small quantity circuit board prototyping to help you test and validate your product before going to market, without breaking the bank.
We’ve provided services for over 3,000 happy PCB customers to date. Once your PCB prototype has been validated, we’re here to help you move to full production at a cost-effective price and get your product to market as soon as possible.
Trusted by over 3,000 Customers
We’re a well-known and trusted prototype PCB manufacturer. Over 3,000 customers choose us for their quick-turn prototypes.
Quick-Turn Prototype Production
We offer quick-turn PCB services without compromising the quality, to help you get your product to market without delay.
RoHS and Lead-Free PCB Assembly Services
We only undertake printed circuit board manufacturing that meets international standards for safety.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
We meet the industry quality standards and have certified quality management protocols in place.
Fully Equipped PCBA Factories
We have 2 fully equipped and certified factories where we create your prototypes and final products.
Your One-Stop PCB Shop
We have the capability to support your PCB needs, from prototyping to manufacturing and assembly.
What is the Cost of a PCB Prototype?
| Quantity: 5 | 50 cm² | 100 cm² | 200 cm² | 400 cm² | 600 cm² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Layer | $17 | $21 | $26 | $36 | $46 |
| 10-Layer | $259 | $279 | $308 | $359 | $412 |
Your final cost will depend on how many PCB prototypes you need. Request a free online quote for your prototype project now. New customers get $100 off their first project with us!
PCB Prototype Lead Time
| 1- to 2-Layer PCBs | 5 days |
| 4-Layer PCBs | 6 days |
| 6-Layer PCBs | 7 days |
| 8-Layer PCBs | 8 days |
| 10-Layer PCBs | 9 days |
Lead time may extend depending on the quantity of PCB orders. Contact us today for a free quote to get an accurate estimation of the lead time you can expect.
PCB Prototyping Process
Quote
Provide us with your Gerber file for a custom quote.
DFM Report
Our experts will analyze your design and suggest changes if necessary.
Final Quote
We’ll send you a final quote for approval before we go ahead with the production process.
Manufacturing
Once approved, we’ll begin manufacturing your PCB prototype.
Delivery
Our rapid turnaround services and our trusted courier partners will get you your sample in record time.
Next Steps: Our Extended PCB Manufacturing Services
Component Sourcing
We work with only reputable suppliers and source cost-effective components wherever possible.
PCB Fabrication
We fabricate high-quality PCBs to your exact parameters. Our advanced technology allows us to bring you only the best.
Bare Board PCB Assembly
We also offer high-quality PCB assembly service from bare boards based on your specs.
Quality Control and Testing
We test and iterate every step of the way when creating your prototype printed circuit board.
Contact us today for a custom quote. Every PCB we make is in line with our industry-leading quality. OurPCB also specialize in fast turnaround times and on-time delivery for PCB prototype services.
Services Related to PCB Prototype Manufacturing
- PCB Assembly Services: Comprehensive solutions for assembling printed circuit boards.
- Quick Turn PCB Assembly: Fast and efficient PCB assembly to meet tight deadlines.
- High Volume PCB Assembly: Scalable solutions for large-scale PCB production.
- Flexible PCB Manufacturing: Specialized in manufacturing flexible PCBs for diverse applications.
- Low Volume PCB Assembly: Cost-effective solutions for small batch PCB assembly.
- Turnkey PCB Assembly: End-to-end services covering all aspects of PCB production.
- PCB Design Services: Expert design services to bring your PCB concepts to life.
- Rigid-Flex PCB Manufacturing: Manufacturing robust and versatile rigid-flex PCBs.
- PCB Prototype: Rapid prototyping services to test and refine your PCB designs.
- Rogers PCB: High-frequency PCBs ideal for RF and microwave applications.
- Aluminum PCB: PCBs with excellent heat dissipation properties, perfect for high-power devices.
- Metal Core PCB: Thermal PCBs with metal bases for effective heat management.
- High Tg PCB: High glass transition temperature PCBs for improved thermal performance.
- High Frequency PCB: Designed for high-speed and high-frequency applications, ensuring superior signal integrity.
- Heavy Copper PCB: Built with thicker copper layers for high current and enhanced thermal management.
- HDI PCB: High Density Interconnect PCBs offering advanced circuitry in a compact design for complex applications.
- Custom Cable Assembly: We offer a wide range of customized cable services, hybrid cables, and wire harnesses.
- Turnkey PCB Assembly: Our comprehensive solutions cover everything from design to production and testing, ensuring quality and efficiency while saving you time and cost
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Customer Reviews - PCB Prototype
- Author: Isabella Taylor
Item: PCB Prototype
Review: It was easy to order online from OurPCB with instant price quoting. The PCB boards I received were nearly flawless and competitively priced. I personally got my boards back in a week. Recommended. - Author: Ethan Walker
Item: PCB Prototype
Review: These guys are great, good customer service. - Author: Charlotte Scott
Item: PCB Prototype
Review: Prompt service, good price structure, high quality PCBs delivered on or before the specified date. - Author: James Hughes
Item: PCB Prototype
Review: Always excellent service and quick turnaround. We are very happy with the service from OurPCB.
Had a run of PCBs created for our school. Used kicad Gerber files which matched perfectly with their online system . Couldn't believe how easy the process was. Fast turn around and the PCBs are of very high quality and price is very reasonable. Highly recommended and will return again.
I now use only OurPCB because of their simple instant online quotation and ordering system with PCB drag and drop files. The PCB quality is excellent, with excellent competitive prices to meet my PCB delivery urgency as required. Mark provides quick, excellent & friendly technical support. I recommend OurPCB to all Aussie manufacturers to support our last Aussie PCB company!
Been working with these guys for over 10 years now. The quality of their PCBs is first class with excellent delivery schedules. Any problems or 'extras' are handled promptly and efficiently. No hesitation in recommending them for any PCB manufacturing.
OurPCB have supplied our company with PCB circuit boards for the last five years. Firstly the quality is exceptional - Mark makes ordering circuit-boards easy. Where as in the past we have done the run around with component supply many times - Mark makes the process decisive and simple. The service is top notch. Highly recommended.
I push these guys on every front from superfine technology through to quick delivery - the quality and service is the best I've had anywhere. A truly great fab shop that is a pleasure to work with.