How to find Online PCB Design?

Introduction

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) provide the foundation for electronics products by mechanically supporting and electrically connecting electronic components using conductive pathways or traces. PCB design involves schematic capture, layout, routing, and design verification to transform circuit requirements into a manufacturable board.

As PCBs have grown more complex, specialized PCB design software and engineering expertise is required to properly design boards. Companies without resources to design PCBs internally may want to utilize online design services. This article provides guidance on finding and selecting online PCB design providers.

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Benefits of Online PCB Design Services

Online PCB design services offer the following benefits compared to in-house design:

Cost Savings – Avoid costs of PCB design software licenses and in-house engineering staff.
Expertise – Access skilled designers with experience across various applications.
Speed – Scale faster than building an internal team.
Quality – Reputable providers follow quality processes and design reviews.
Convenience – Entire process handled remotely via web collaboration tools.

Where to Find Online PCB Design Providers

There are several options to find and research prospective PCB design service providers:

PCB Design Directories

IPC (www.ipc.org) – Directory of EMS, PCB fabrication, and design service providers.
Mentor Graphics (www.mentor.com/pcb-manufacturing-and-assembly) – Directory of Mentor fabrication and assembly partners.
EEWeb (www.eeweb.com/pcb-resources/pcb-design-fab-and-assembly-vendors) – Extensive directory of PCB design and manufacturing services companies.

Search Engines

Google – Search “PCB design services” or “PCB design company” plus your location.
Bing – Search Bing for “PCB design services” to find providers.
DuckDuckGo – Search DuckDuckGo using “electronics design services” keywords.

Forums and Communities

EEVblog – Post on the forum inquiring about PCB design service recommendations.
Reddit – Search r/PrintedCircuitBoard/ subreddit for past PCB service discussions.
Facebook Groups – Join and search relevant PCB or EE groups asking for service providers.

Industry Events

PCB West – Annual PCB industry conference in Silicon Valley area.
IPC APEX Expo – Large PCB manufacturing tradeshow with exhibitors.
Electronics Circuits Expo – UK event with many PCB services exhibiting.

Referrals

Customers and Partners – Ask for referrals to design services they have worked with.
Associates – Inquire with industry associations and acquaintances for recommendations.

Evaluating and Selecting a Provider

When comparing PCB design service providers, consider the following criteria:

Technical Expertise

Design skills relevant to the specific application.
Experience with similar project types as yours.
Proficiency in required analysis – signal integrity, thermal, etc.

Quality and Reviews

Design review process and quality assurance practices.
Qualifications of engineering and review team.

Tools and Technology

Proficiency with required design software tools.
Use of collaboration platforms and portals.

Communication Approach

Responsiveness to inquiries and during projects.
Flexibility to have calls and onsite reviews.

Security and IP Protection

Non-disclosure agreements and secure data transfer.
Process to protect sensitive customer intellectual property.

Cost Structure

Pricing model – hourly, project-based, etc.
Rate structure across engineer grade levels.
Discounts for prepaid blocks or long-term agreements.

Scalability

Ability to rapidly scale capacity up and down to meet changing needs.
Strength of extended bench of backup engineers.

Client References

Relevant client references and testimonials.
Samples of past client project deliverables.

By scoring providers against these criteria, you can objectively evaluate the offerings and select the best match.

Online PCB Design Process Stages

Working with an online PCB design partner generally involves the following typical stages:

Design Initiation

Discuss project background, requirements, and specifications.
Review milestones, deliverables, and project schedule.
Sign contracts and non-disclosure agreement.

Schematic Design

Create component library and schematic sheets.
Connect devices and nets, add properties and annotations.
Verify electrical correctness.
Generate schematic deliverables – prints, netlist, etc.

PCB Layout

Place components optimally on the board.
Route traces obeying design rules and constraints.
Define power and ground planes.
Optimize for manufacturability, thermal, EMI.

Analysis and Verification

Run design rule checks and other verification.
Perform signal and power integrity simulations.
Thermal modeling and analysis.

Prototyping

Arrange fabrication of prototype boards.
Conduct design validation and testing.
Implement improvements and modifications.

Documentation

Release complete fabrication and assembly package.
Provide full set of design data to customer.
Submit detailed project documentation.

Production Support

Support fabrication and assembly process as needed.
Assist with design revisions and future updates.

Following this phased engagement process ensures a smooth project execution.

Best Practices for Online PCB Projects

Below are some best practices to manage online PCB design engagements effectively:

Document requirements – Fully detail all design parameters, rules, specs, etc. in writing. Leave no assumptions.
Review milestones – Hold peer reviews at schematic, layout, and prototype stages. Be present remotely if needed.
Tools agreement – Align on specific toolset to be used if you have preferences.
Check expertise – Interview engineers to confirm capabilities in your design area.
Monitor progress – Use status reports and collaborative portals to track activity.
Allow redesign time – Plan a few weeks post-prototype for potential board re-spins.
IP protection – Require non-disclosure agreements with all designers.
Own design data – Ensure contract states you retain ownership of deliverables.
Open communication – Discuss issues promptly when they arise.

Pros and Cons of Online PCB Design Services

Potential Advantages

Cost savings compared to maintaining in-house team
Faster start up – avoid time to build team expertise
Access to diverse specialist skills as needed
Design expertise and best practices
Focus core competencies on other areas
Scales capacity flexibly; pay only for what is used
Supports multiple PCB tools and technologies

Potential Disadvantages

Less control over designers compared to in-house staff
More effort required for communications and reviews
Additional time for provider knowledge transfer
Risk of losing continuity for subsequent projects
Can be more costly long term once in-house team established
Difficulties protecting IP compared to internal team
Schedule dependencies on external party

Pricing Models for Online PCB Design

Providers may offer different pricing approaches:

Hourly Rates

Pay for actual engineering hours spent based on hourly rate.
Usually tiered rates for different engineer seniority levels.
Generally most flexible but overall cost unknown.

Fixed Bid Per Project

Pay an agreed fixed total price per project.
Requires detailed specifications to define project scope upfront.
More predictable costs but less flexibility.

Milestone Based

Pay fixed fee per project phase or milestone delivered.
Allows adjusting scope and stopping if milestones not met.

Monthly/Annual Contracts

Contract a fixed number of hours or projects per month/year.
Offers discounted rates in return for guaranteed volumes.
More predictable; incentivizes provider relationship.

Prepaid Blocks

Prepay for blocks of engineering hours at discounted rates.
Lock in lower costs and priority resourcing.
Useful for high activity periods or urgent needs.

Discuss preferred pricing models with prospective providers when negotiating contract terms.

Questions to Ask Potential Providers

Here are key questions to ask when evaluating online PCB design providers:

What specific experience do you have in designing boards for my application?
What design review process and quality checks do you perform?
Do you support the CAD tools we rely on internally?
How do you optimize designs for my target fabrication processes?
What web collaboration platforms do you use?
How can you facilitate occasional onsite design reviews?
How quickly can you scale up design capacity for fast prototypes?
How will my confidential design data and IP be secured?
What post-design support is included for production release?
Can you provide referrals from customers with projects similar to mine?

Warning Signs to Watch For

Here are potential red flags when evaluating online PCB design providers:

Very limited portfolio of relevant past project examples
Lack of technical specialists in your specific design domain
Minimal design review process and quality procedures
Unable to support your required CAD design tools
Vague pricing structure with many hidden fees
Unwilling to sign comprehensive non-disclosure agreement
Poor communication and unresponsive
Lack of web-based collaboration platform
Unable to provide referrals from past customers

Avoiding providers with these deficiencies can help identify capable and reliable PCB design partners.

Negotiating Optimal Pricing

Tips for negotiating fair and reasonable pricing with PCB design service providers:

Require detailed estimates – break down by engineering time per activity.
Ask for discounts on hourly rates for longer-term agreements.
Seek prepaid volume discounts in exchange for guaranteed minimums.
Negotiate lower rates for simplified or repetitive designs.
Adjust intellectual property rights depending on discounts desired.
Compare bids from multiple providers to benchmark pricing.
Clarify exactly what is included – revisions, analysis, documentation, etc.

Conclusion

By leveraging online PCB design services, product teams can accelerate development and focus internal efforts on core competencies. Finding an ideal partner requires thoroughly evaluating technical capabilities, communication practices, collaboration tools, and compatibility. Establishing clear requirements, milestones, pricing, and IP protections upfront enables building a successful engagement with the online provider. Managing the relationship in close ongoing collaboration with the external team leads to positive PCB design outcomes.

FAQs

What are the main benefits of online PCB design vs. in-house design?

The main benefits are reduced costs by avoiding dedicated engineering staff, accelerated time-to-market by leveraging experienced teams, and access to diverse specialized expertise on demand. It also adds capacity flexibility.

What qualifications should I verify before selecting a PCB design partner?

Look for expertise in your specific application area, proficiency in required analysis techniques, use of quality design reviews, experience with your preferred tools, and ability to protect sensitive intellectual property.

How can I effectively collaborate with an online design provider remotely?

Utilize web collaboration platforms for project management, request regular status calls, perform remote design reviews, visit onsite when needed, document requirements comprehensively, and assign internal coordinators.

What are the risks and downsides to watch out for with online PCB design?

Potential risks include weaker protection of sensitive IP compared to in-house team, less control over individual contributors, more effort for communications, and discontinuity between subsequent projects.

What questions should I ask prospects to evaluate capabilities?

Key questions focus on relevant expertise, design review processes, tool skills, communication modes, scalability, IP protection approach, manufacturing optimization, pricing models, and customer references.