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PCB Assembler Recommendations Northern NY State

R

Robert Adsett

I'm looking to see if anyone has any recommendations for a PCB
assembler/Contract manufacturer in Northern NY State.

Small quantities (10's rather than 1000's)
Mixed SMT and through hole.
Preferably turnkey

Robert
 
E

Ecnerwal

Robert Adsett said:
I'm looking to see if anyone has any recommendations for a PCB
assembler/Contract manufacturer in Northern NY State.

If you have any flexibility, I'm about 5 minutes east from New York
state, at the lower part of "Northern" as might be defined by engineers
looking at maps, as opposed to "City" people who define Northern rather
differently.
Small quantities (10's rather than 1000's)
Mixed SMT and through hole.

If you want parts (you supply) put on boards (you supply), I've done a
bit of that in the size range you're discussing, with SMT and thru-hole.
If you want a board house, I don't do that, and given that I do this
stuff on a side basis to keep my hand in (so I'm fine doing 10's) rather
than as my primary employment probably means I would not suggest myself
if you need much more extensive services, at least at this point in time.
Preferably turnkey

By which you mean what, in this context? If you want assembled and
stuffed boards, you're not describing a completed system, which is the
usual use of that term - turn the key, no assembly required. If you want
them installed in complete boxes, say so, it's quite possible, if you
pay the labor.

But that's quite different from other possible meanings you could have,
such as "netlist in, assembled product out", or "Gerbers in, assembled
product out".
 
R

Robert Adsett

EMS Rochester

Thanks Martin, Do you have more complete contact information? A search
on EMS Rochester gets me Emergency Medical Services.

Robert
 
R

Robert Adsett

If you have any flexibility, I'm about 5 minutes east from New York
state, at the lower part of "Northern" as might be defined by engineers
looking at maps, as opposed to "City" people who define Northern rather
differently.

I'm peering across the international border so maps are where I start :)
If you want parts (you supply) put on boards (you supply), I've done a
bit of that in the size range you're discussing, with SMT and thru-hole.
If you want a board house, I don't do that, and given that I do this
stuff on a side basis to keep my hand in (so I'm fine doing 10's) rather
than as my primary employment probably means I would not suggest myself
if you need much more extensive services, at least at this point in time.


By which you mean what, in this context? If you want assembled and
stuffed boards, you're not describing a completed system, which is the
usual use of that term - turn the key, no assembly required. If you want
them installed in complete boxes, say so, it's quite possible, if you
pay the labor.

Assembled boards. With or without the case I'm not sure at the moment.
The case portion of the assembly isn't particularly critical. The
assembly (with case) is only part of a larger assembly. The client
probably won't want to deal with ordering and stocking of the electronic
components.
But that's quite different from other possible meanings you could have,
such as "netlist in, assembled product out", or "Gerbers in, assembled
product out".

Turnkey to me has always meant I send a PO, and I get a finished product
to my specifications. Whether it's a stuffed PCB or a stuffed PCB in a
case is just a different spec. Your experience is obviously different.

The 10's will be on a continuing basis, probably monthly to begin with
but hopefully increasing in frequency.

Thanks

Robert
 
R

rickman

I'm peering across the international border so maps are where I start :)






Assembled boards. With or without the case I'm not sure at the moment.
The case portion of the assembly isn't particularly critical. The
assembly (with case) is only part of a larger assembly. The client
probably won't want to deal with ordering and stocking of the electronic
components.


Turnkey to me has always meant I send a PO, and I get a finished product
to my specifications. Whether it's a stuffed PCB or a stuffed PCB in a
case is just a different spec. Your experience is obviously different.

The 10's will be on a continuing basis, probably monthly to begin with
but hopefully increasing in frequency.

Thanks

Robert

Sometimes it can be funny watching people talking past each other.
Both of you understand that the term "turn-key" can mean something
different to each other, but neither of you have clearly described
specifically what you mean by it.

"Where I come from", turn-key board assembly means that the assembly
house does the procurement of the parts to stuff on the board as well
as the assembly. I don't think this necessarily includes procurement
of the PCB since that is a very different technical task and unless it
is adequately specified (where "adequately" is an arbitrarily defined
term) should involve the design engineer.

So if you want "turn-key", I suggest that you not say things like, "I
send a PO, and I get a finished product to my specifications.", but
rather outline exactly what tasks you want the assembler to take on.

I learned this about construction some time ago. I needed a new door
installed at my house. I asked for a new door and frame and it was
installed without painting. To me, painting should have been
included... who wants an unpainted front door? But to the contractor,
painting is a separate item and should have been specified.

So list all of the things that you want the assembly house to do...
buy parts, buy boards, assembly, inspection, test, burn-in, stocking,
drop shipping...
 
R

Robert Adsett

Sometimes it can be funny watching people talking past each other.
Both of you understand that the term "turn-key" can mean something
different to each other, but neither of you have clearly described
specifically what you mean by it.

"Where I come from", turn-key board assembly means that the assembly
house does the procurement of the parts to stuff on the board as well
as the assembly. I don't think this necessarily includes procurement
of the PCB since that is a very different technical task and unless it
is adequately specified (where "adequately" is an arbitrarily defined
term) should involve the design engineer.

Your definition follows the useage I've normally seen. I'd include the
PCB in that definition as most houses I've dealt with have ther own
preferred supplier. I just need to give them the appropriate
manufacturing files. But if necessary iit's easy enough to pass along a
PCB supplier contact info and a part number they can use to order a
board from them from information I've alreasy given the PCN
manufacturer.
So if you want "turn-key", I suggest that you not say things like, "I
send a PO, and I get a finished product to my specifications.", but
rather outline exactly what tasks you want the assembler to take on.

Oh when it gets to the actual selection I'll talk to the assembler and
see exactly what they need. I'm expecting I'll have to supply part
specs for the components and manufacturing drawing where needed. I
would hope they would suggest alternatives if they have a part they use
in quantity that may be a suitable replacement for a part I've already
specified, but not all are willing to participate that much.
I learned this about construction some time ago. I needed a new door
installed at my house. I asked for a new door and frame and it was
installed without painting. To me, painting should have been
included... who wants an unpainted front door? But to the contractor,
painting is a separate item and should have been specified.

So list all of the things that you want the assembly house to do...
buy parts, buy boards, assembly, inspection, test, burn-in, stocking,
drop shipping...

Mea culpa, I have been a bit sloppy about exactly what I want but all
I'm looking for at this point are assembly houses in the area that
others have found to be quality producers. More along the lines of
searching for a reputable contractor than providing a detailed spec to
the contractor. I figure the latter will come when I have a few good
candidates.

Robert
 
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