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How to find Online PCB Design

Introduction to PCB Design

Printed circuit board (PCB) design is an essential step in creating electronic devices. A PCB provides the physical foundation on which components like integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors, and other parts are mounted. The PCB design process involves creating schematics, layouts, and final fabrication files used to manufacture the boards.

With the growth of the electronics industry, PCB design has become an intricate process requiring specialized skills and software tools. Companies need access to high-quality PCB design services to prototype and manufacture their products. This guide will explore methods of finding and evaluating online PCB design services.

Benefits of Online PCB Design Services

Utilizing an online PCB design service provides several advantages over maintaining in-house design capabilities:

Cost Savings

Online services allow you to avoid costs associated with purchasing PCB design software licenses, advanced computer workstations, and hiring specialized engineers. These expenses can run from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Online services offer on-demand access, only paying for resources used per design.

Specialized Expertise

Experienced PCB designers spend years honing their skills in school and on-the-job. Online services maintain teams of experts from a variety of disciplines – schematic capture, layout, signal and power integrity, DFx, etc. They stay current on the latest standards, design tools, and manufacturing capabilities.

Advanced Technologies

Access to advanced design, analysis, verification, and manufacturing preparation technologies can be limited for companies without significant investment budgets. Online services utilize cutting-edge solutions and can transfer expertise to your projects.

Rapid Turnaround

Online services maintain large pools of engineering talent allowing parallel execution across multiple projects. They provide very rapid design turnaround, especially important during iterative prototyping phases.

Design Reuse

Developing reusable design building blocks (memory interfaces, high-speed serial links, power systems, etc.) is challenging. Online services amass vast repositories of reusable modules developed across thousands of projects. This design reuse accelerates development.

Capabilities to Look for in a Provider

The capabilities required from your PCB design services partner depends on your organization’s specific needs. Below are common capability sets that should be evaluated:

Core Design Skills

• Schematic capture – Abilities in defining circuit connectivity, hierarchy, documentation
• PCB layout – Routing complex designs meeting timing, signal integrity, manufacturing needs
• Library creation – For new components not in standard libraries
• 3D modeling – For board/component fit verification, marketing materials
• Signal integrity – High-speed routing, simulation, and analysis skills
• Power integrity – Power distribution design, analysis, and verification
• DFx – Design for manufacturing, test, environment, etc. considerations

Analysis and Verification

• Simulation – Analog, digital, mixed-signal simulation capabilities
• Signal integrity – Interconnect analysis, modeling, and compliance testing
• Timing analysis – Static timing analysis, timing closure on high-speed links
• Model validation – Ensure models match silicon pre-fabrication
• Testability analysis – Assess manufacturing test coverage

Manufacturing Support

• Fabrication – Generate Gerber, drill, assembly, and other manufacturing files
• Supply chain – Procure components, manage contractors (assembly, test)
• Quality – Apply testing, inspection, and quality assurance best practices
• Qualification – Validate designs across operating conditions

Advanced and Emerging Solutions

• EDA software – Utilize industry leading electrical design automation tools
• Scripting – Automate repetitive tasks reducing turnaround times
• DFM analysis – Assess manufacturing readiness earlier in the flow
• SI/PI signoff – Prevent silicon respins due to signal/power integrity
• Firmware development – Assist with low level firmware beyond PCB hardware

Communication and Collaboration

• Data protection – Apply system and process safeguards for design data
• IP protection – Ensure adherence to NDA terms and conditions
• Collaboration – Effectively communicate with multi-discipline teams
• Reporting – Regular status reports and design reviews

Where to Find Reputable PCB Design Services

There are a variety of methods available for locating reliable PCB design service partners:

Design Services Marketplaces

• Upwork – Extensive freelancer marketplace including PCB designers
• Guru – Service marketplace with some EDA tool experts listed
• Fiverr – Freelancer community popular for creative services

Electronics Community Forums

• EEVblog – Active forum with electronics industry sub-forum
• EDA Board – Specialized forum focused on EDA software tools

Regional Guides

• ThomasNet – Directory organized by region and industry sectors
• MFG.com – US manufacturing directory with certified suppliers

Industry Events

• DesignCon – High-speed design conference with exhibitors
• AltiumLive – Altium centered event with service partners
• CES – Consumer technology event with electronics ecosystem

Referrals

• Customers – Ask product companies for provider referrals
• Investors – Venture firms connected to array of service firms
• Academic affiliations – Research connections to industry providers

Web Search

• Search engines – Scour listings for highly reviewed providers
• Targeted city searches – Lookup firms in specific geo-areas of interest

Source	Pros	Cons
Marketplaces	Broad reach, reviews	Individual skills vary
Forums/Community	Targeted visibility, peer input	Reliability varies
Regional guides	Qualified local options	Coverage can vary
Events	In-person access, new options	Limited schedules
Referrals	Credibility transfer	Possible bias
Web search	Broad, easily targeted	Quantity over quality

Assessing Potential Providers

Once a list of potential PCB design service providers has been created, a due diligence process should be conducted before selecting a firm. Key aspects to evaluate per company include:

Design Expertise and Experience

• Years in business and employee tenure
• Design skills across needed competencies
• Domain experience in market vertical(s)
• Past client referrals and demonstrated work products

Company Stability and Processes

• Financial stability and viability
• Data protection systems and quality processes
• Information security controls and compliance
• Business continuity planning and global delivery presence

Tools and Technology Capabilities

• EDA software tools employed
• Analysis, verification, DFM, and related solutions access
• Design reuse systems and process automation

Communication Approach

• Collaboration methods, tools, and availability
• Project management style and practices
• Reporting standards and design review process

Pricing and Engagement Models

• Hourly consulting services
• Fixed fee per project
• Monthly engineering staff augmentation
• IP licensing or revenue sharing

Negotiating Design Consulting Agreements

Upon selecting a PCB design partner, a services agreement needs to be negotiated covering critical legal, security, quality, and communication matters. Below are key aspects to address:

Scope of Work

• Detailed description of deliverables, schedule, payment terms
• Establishment of prioritized primary and secondary goals
• Definition of design parameters, inputs required, and documentation to be provided

Quality Protocols

• Documentation standards for schematics, layouts, analyses, etc.
• Design review stages, audit rights, and approval gates
• Qualification criteria for deliverables to be met prior to signoff

Security

• Definition of confidential information and assignment of ownership
• Requirements for data handling, storage, retention, and destruction
• Allowed access methods and transfer means

Communication

• Frequency of status reports and update meetings
• Tools and systems permitted for information sharing
• Contacts list and escalation path within each organization

Pricing

• Breakdown of hourly, milestone, contingency payments
• Out of pocket expense handling
• Change request and rework payment terms

Managing the Partnership Lifecycle

Successfully partnering with an online PCB design services firm requires active management during all project stages:

Set the Foundation

• Share detailed product requirements documentation
• Align on end goals, terminology, processes early

Maintain Dialogue

• Hold regular status calls and design reviews
• Address questions quickly and visit when possible

Provide Open Feedback

• Share frequent constructive feedback
• Clarify preferences to maximize satisfaction

Request Iterative Deliverables

• Review interim designs vs waiting for final
• Provide comments focused on priorities first

Prepare Next Steps

• Communicate follow-on needs beyond current scope
• Request summary report to aid future work

Conclusion

This guide reviewed modern benefits, selection methodology, partnership best practices, and other considerations when identifying and working with online PCB design services. Carefully applying selection criteria matched to internal requirements reduces program risks. Following partnership management fundamentals enables capturing full value from the relationship. With increasing electronics hardware complexity, leveraging qualified online design experts allows focusing internal efforts on developing differentiated products and applications – not commodity design services readily available in the marketplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions around utilizing online PCB design services:

How are costs estimated for designs?

Reputable firms will often provide free initial consultations and quoting services. They assess detailed requirements, risks, unknowns to generate project estimates – often with capped not-to-exceeds. Request fixed pricing whenever feasible.

Can design quality match large internal teams?

Yes, through expertise consolidation top providers can match/exceed large team quality in specific areas. Evaluate individual engineers’ skills vs general firm abilities. Also confirm they follow stringent quality processes.

What communication modes should be expected?

A range – email, phone, web meetings, specialized collaboration platforms. Assess each provider’s communication breadth, flexibility, availability, and tools compatibility.

How can IP be safeguarded when source files are shared?

Require NDAs explicitly calling out IP ownership, confidentiality period, liability caps, employees covered and information handling standards. Also request providers’ data security details to validate controls.

Is it typical to negotiate custom contract terms?

Yes, established providers expect negotiation especially around liability, IP, communication protocols and will often accommodate reasonable asks that don’t conflict with standard business practices. Maintain dialog to align expectations.