Levison Enterprises Blog

Finding The Best PCB Design Services Partner

In-house engineering is paramount for PCB design services. They need to have an eye on your design but are also looking at it from a production standpoint. Is it manufacturable? Can they make small adjustments to the design, but not function, to assist with manufacturability? Look for a design services partner that also has assembly and manufacturing on-site. Here are some things to look for:

5 Advantages To Using SMT

The old saying "bigger is better" just isn't accurate in the world of electronics. This is especially true when it comes to surface-mount technology (SMT.) SMT places components directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board in order to create a circuit. It has become a preferred method of creating circuits in the electronics industry. Both surface mount technology and through-hole can be used on the same PCB. However, in many cases, SMT versions of through-hole PCB designs can be produced. Surface mount technology can make a big impact on design and development. Here are some of the advantages of using SMT:

5 Warning Signs Design Engineers Should Look For in an ECM Partnership

The right electronic contract manufacturer with the right team and the right tools will successfully serve all of your needs from prototype to production. After all, electronic contract manufacturing plays an important role in industries around the world. However, the relationship with your ECM can be a lot like any other relationship. When it’s good, it’s good, but when it is bad it is really BAD. Here are some warning signs that will make you pull off those ECM rose-colored glasses.

7 Common Features of a Box Build Assembly

Many electronics manufacturers work with multiple vendors on projects. They source components from one company. Another ECM handles sub-assembly. Yet another partner tackles the final assembly. This can waste valuable time and money. Plus, little bits of your quality can fall between the cracks.

PCB Component Factors That Are Driving Up Your Electronic Assembly Quote

The cost of electronic assembly can vary as much as the design of a printed circuit board (PCB.) Most think the cost is driven by the availably of the multitude of components needed for PCB assembly. While that may be an influence, there are a whole host of other factors that comes into play too. Add them all together and your costs can skyrocket. Component shortages are real, but here are some other factors that may be driving up the cost of your PCB.

What Should a Mechanical Engineering Firm Look for in an Electronics Manufacturing Partner?

As a mechanical engineer, you create some pretty cool stuff. But does any of that stuff have electronic components? Have you just been winging it? Don't play DIY with your electronics manufacturing. You may have been lucky up to this point, but it could burn you if your electronics project goes boom.

PCB Development: The 5 Step Process

Printed circuit boards have come a long way. PCB evolution has led to so much innovation that you can find boards in everything from the simplest electronics in children's toys to sleek, cutting edge smart phones. But the PCBs for these projects don't magically appear. There is an entire PCB development process that occurs before you can even start manufacturing the final product, and there could be lots of lag time in between.

What Is A Box Build In Electronics Manufacturing?

Not all electronics projects are created equal. Neither should the assembly. Luckily, you have options. A box build is a fairly recent development in electronics manufacturing. For complete systems integration, a box build may be the right option for your next project.

An Electronic Prototype Will Optimize Your Design

Prototyping is an important stage of product development. This useable representation of your design allows you to understand your product. The working model allows you to test various design features, verify design functionality and identify issues as early as possible within the development stage. Prototyping is often well worth the time, effort, and investment. If done well, the prototyping process will allow the design to be completely optimized before full production occurs. This will not only save you time and money, but guarantee you will deliver a dynamite product.

7 Ways To Reduce Your Labor Costs During PCBA Manufacturing

Labor cost can add up to the biggest part of your PCBA manufacturing budget. So how do you cut costs without sacrificing the quality of your project? It is actually easier than it seems. It all starts with finding the right electronic contract manufacturer to partner with in order to create your printed circuit boards on a budget.

Why Outsource Your PCB Prototype Assembly

As electronics evolve and technology becomes more complicated, companies no longer have the facilities or capabilities to assemble PCBs. This is especially true when it comes to prototyping. Turning to an electronic manufacturer to help with the prototyping process just makes sense. Electronic assembly manufacturers are experts in their field. There are a number of advantages to outsourcing your prototype to an electronic manufacturer.

Tricks and Treats in Electronic Assembly Contracts

Whether it’s your first time contracting with an electronic contract manufacturer or your hundredth, there are things you want to land in your contract and things you want to avoid. By watching for a few key tells, you can be the kid with all the king-sized candy bars and none of the tricks after trick-or-treating.