Rapid Prototyping and PCB Design

Long gone are the days when a printed circuit board designer can create a prototype in his garage or workroom. Today's printed circuit boards, or PCBs, are much more efficient in dozens of ways then the type that can be made by hand, but they require sophisticated machinery that can work at the micro level. This means that engineers develop their plans using software and not drills and a soldering gun. It also means that engineers require a way to develop prototypes that they can get produced to test as they work to tune their results.

Rapid Prototyping PCB Services

Quick turn PCB services fill the need for fast turnarounds. In fact, they were specifically designed for rapid prototyping of complex printed circuit boards. Many of the companies that provide these services will produce as few as one printed circuit board within as little as a day.

Typically, orders can get made for anywhere from one to a couple of hundred units. Turn time options might vary from as short as one day to a couple of weeks, but the shortest deadlines usually come with an added fee. Additionally, these services may have restrictions on particular types or sizes of boards that the producers are able to produce quickly. However, having the ability to design and produce rapid prototypes may reduce development costs because it gives companies a chance to test multiple versions of a printed circuit board quickly.

Short Run PCB Manufacturing

Another option is called a short run. This is better for designers who need a minimum of 50 boards printed. It could be used for rapid prototyping when several testers will be involved in the projects. It is probably more commonly used to develop samples that will get distributed to beta or gamma testers after prototypes have already been approved.

For these runs, customers should allow at least 10 days for delivery. But the price for each unit will be lower than it is for a short run. There may also be fewer restrictions than there are for rapid prototyping services.

Advantages of Rapid Prototyping and Short Runs

Both rapid prototyping and short runs gives companies the flexibility to test designs without having to order thousands of boards. This should encouraging more testing and ensure the best results before thousands of boards need to be ordered for production.