PW Circuits Ltd https://pwcircuits.co.uk/ UK PCB Manufacture, Assembly & Design Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:05:17 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://pwcircuits.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-cropped-pwcfavicon-1-1-32x32.png PW Circuits Ltd https://pwcircuits.co.uk/ 32 32 Benefits of working with a UK manufacturer https://pwcircuits.co.uk/working-with-a-uk-manufacturer/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:55:42 +0000 https://pwcircuits.co.uk/?p=7577 The benefits of working with a UK manufacturer Ever considered the benefits of working with a UK manufacturer, especially in light of the upcoming Chinese New Year ? This often causes delays with overseas suppliers. There are certainly a lot of advantages to working with local manufacturers, particularly when it comes to time zone, language, […]

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Benefits of working with a UK manufacture - AI generated union flag PCB

The benefits of working with a UK manufacturer

Ever considered the benefits of working with a UK manufacturer, especially in light of the upcoming Chinese New Year ? This often causes delays with overseas suppliers. There are certainly a lot of advantages to working with local manufacturers, particularly when it comes to time zone, language, and communication.

Let me break down a few key points:

1. No Time Zone Difference

When working with a UK manufacturer, you’re operating in the same time zone, which means quicker responses, smoother communication, and faster problem-solving. There’s no need to wait for the next day to get feedback or make adjustments, unlike when dealing with suppliers overseas who may have a significant time gap.

2. Language and Communication

Working with a UK manufacturer removes the potential for language barriers, ensuring that both parties fully understand the specifications, terms, and expectations. Clear communication is crucial for avoiding mistakes and ensuring quality control, which can sometimes be an issue with international suppliers.

3. Lead Time and Delivery

Local manufacturers often offer faster lead times because they’re geographically closer, reducing the wait for delivery. This can be especially important if you’re trying to meet a specific deadline or deal with the delays that come with overseas holidays like Chinese New Year.

4. Supporting Local Businesses

By choosing a UK manufacturer, you support local businesses and the economy. This can also create a more sustainable supply chain, as you’ll be reducing the carbon footprint that comes with long-distance shipping.

5. Flexibility and Customization

Local manufacturers may be more flexible when it comes to small batches or custom orders. They might be more willing to accommodate last-minute changes, compared to large overseas manufacturers who may have strict minimum order quantities or long lead times.

6. Avoiding Chinese New Year Delays

Chinese New Year (which falls in late January / early February) can cause significant delays in production and shipping from China. This time of year often sees factories shutting down for weeks, and many companies experience backlogs. Choosing a UK manufacturer means you’re not impacted by these seasonal disruptions.

Why Not Try It?

If the advantages align with your business needs, working with a UK manufacturer could be a great choice. Of course, there are also considerations such as cost, availability of raw materials, and whether the UK manufacturer can meet the production scale you need. But if time, quality, and communication are top priorities, it may well be worth giving it a try!

Contact us today about your requirements and start the manufacturing process before your design is finished! You can also checkout our YouTube channel for more hints and tips.

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]]> Shortening PCB Lead Times https://pwcircuits.co.uk/shortening-pcb-lead-times/ Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:35:56 +0000 https://pwcircuits.co.uk/?p=7499 Shortening PCB Lead Times: A Proactive Approach In today’s fast-paced electronics industry, time-to-market is critical. One significant factor impacting product launch timelines is PCB lead times. While manufacturers continually strive to optimize production processes, there are strategic steps that engineers and designers can take to accelerate this process. Why Early Manufacturer Consultation is Key One […]

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Shortening PCB Lead Times

Shortening PCB Lead Times: A Proactive Approach

In today’s fast-paced electronics industry, time-to-market is critical. One significant factor impacting product launch timelines is PCB lead times. While manufacturers continually strive to optimize production processes, there are strategic steps that engineers and designers can take to accelerate this process.

Why Early Manufacturer Consultation is Key

One often overlooked strategy is early consultation with your UK PCB manufacturer. By discussing your project’s timeline and specific material requirements before finalizing the design, you can proactively address potential lead time challenges. Sometimes the lead time for a substrate will be longer than then manufacturing process; we’ve had lead times of 8 weeks or more for certain materials.

The Power of Proactive Ordering

  • Substrate Pre-Ordering: Consider placing an order just for the substrate material well in advance of the PCB order. This can significantly reduce overall lead time, as the critical substrate is already in stock when it’s time for manufacture.
  • Exploring Alternative Substrates: If lead times for your preferred substrate are excessive, consult with your manufacturer about alternative options. They may suggest materials with similar properties but shorter lead times.
  • Leveraging Supplier Stock: Inquire with your manufacturer about the availability of specific materials from their suppliers. If a particular material is readily available, it could expedite the production process.

By implementing these proactive strategies, you can significantly reduce PCB lead times and bring your products to market faster. Remember, early communication with your manufacturer is key to optimizing your supply chain and accelerating your time-to-market.

Contact us today about your requirements and start the manufacturing process before your design is finished! You can also checkout our YouTube channel for more hints and tips.

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]]> Protecting Your Intellectual Property in PCB Manufacturing https://pwcircuits.co.uk/protecting-your-intellectual-property-in-onshore-pcb-manufacturing/ Fri, 02 Aug 2024 09:40:42 +0000 http://1136221983.test.prositehosting.co.uk/?p=6586 The Importance of protecting your intellectual property in PCB Manufacturing. In today’s fast-paced, innovation-driven market, protecting Intellectual Property (IP) is paramount. For companies involved in the manufacture of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), this is especially critical. A PCB often represents the heart of a product, embodying years of research, development, and design. Outsourcing PCB manufacturing […]

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The Importance of protecting your intellectual property in PCB Manufacturing.

In today’s fast-paced, innovation-driven market, protecting Intellectual Property (IP) is paramount. For companies involved in the manufacture of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), this is especially critical. A PCB often represents the heart of a product, embodying years of research, development, and design.

Outsourcing PCB manufacturing to overseas locations has long been the norm due to cost advantages. However, this practice carries significant IP risks. Data breaches, reverse engineering, and unauthorized copying are common threats. Onshore PCB manufacturing offers a compelling alternative, providing greater control and security over your IP

AI generated padlock and key made from green printed circuit boards

Security Measures in Onshore PCB Manufacturing 👮‍♂️

Building Trust and Collaboration ❣

When choosing an onshore PCB manufacturer, it’s essential to prioritize a company that implements robust security measures. Here are some key indicators of a secure manufacturing environment:

  • Physical Security: State-of-the-art facilities with restricted access, CCTV surveillance, and employee background checks.
  • Cybersecurity: Advanced firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular software updates to protect sensitive data.
  • Intellectual Property Agreements: Strong legal contracts outlining IP ownership, confidentiality, and non-disclosure.
  • Reverse Engineering Prevention: Measures to prevent unauthorized copying of PCBs, such as secure storage and controlled access to design files.
  • Supply Chain Security: Vetting of suppliers and partners to ensure they also adhere to strict IP protection standards.

Beyond security measures, a strong partnership between the PCB manufacturer and the client is crucial. Open communication, transparency, and mutual trust are essential for fostering a successful collaboration.

By choosing an onshore PCB manufacturer with a proven track record in IP protection, companies can significantly reduce the risk of intellectual property theft. This allows businesses to focus on innovation and growth, knowing their competitive edge is safeguarded.

Contact us to secure your manufactured PCBs

Other PCB news blogs you might be interested in...

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]]> UK PCB manufacture is great, but don’t just take our word for it! https://pwcircuits.co.uk/uk-pcb-manufacture-is-great-but-dont-just-take-our-word-for-it-16/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:43:23 +0000 http://1136221983.test.prositehosting.co.uk/2024/04/02/uk-pcb-manufacture-is-great-but-dont-just-take-our-word-for-it-16/ We think UK PCB manufacture is great, but don’t just take our word for it! I asked Google Gemini why I should buy UK manufactured PCBs…. it was a great answer! I mean, I already know why you should, but it’s always good to get a second opinion! To be fair, my first question to Bard was […]

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We think UK PCB manufacture is great, but don't just take our word for it!

I asked Google Gemini why I should buy UK manufactured PCBs…. it was a great answer! I mean, I already know why you should, but it’s always good to get a second opinion!

To be fair, my first question to Bard was “To be?” but he didn’t reply with “or not to be? That is the question!”, so it’s still work in progress I guess.

Some say this is a marketing revolution, and others say it will just turn it into a lazy skill, but however you might view this next generation of AI we don’t make any shortcuts when it comes to making your Printed Circuit Boards. If we do, then the quality we are so proud of, starts to fail and we will start to lose the repeat customers we have (some of them have been with us for over 40 years now).

So why don’t you find out why our customers keep coming back and contact us today with your PCB and PCBA enquiries. You can also fill in our online quote or search for an alternative substrate with our material search tool.

UK PCB manufacture, alive and kicking!

P.S. I did ask Gemini for this list of hashtags too (not sure if they really work for a blog on out website, but I’ll leave them here anyway)

#UKPCB #BritishPCB #MadeinUK #UKManufacturing #PCBManufacturing #ElectronicsManufacturing #PCBDesign #PCBAssembly #PCBPrototyping #PCBTesting #PCBQuality #PCBReliability #PCBFlexibility #PCBSupport

Other PCB news blogs you might be interested in...

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]]> PCB board edge arcs & copper video https://pwcircuits.co.uk/pcb-board-edge-arcs-copper-video-16/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:43:05 +0000 http://1136221983.test.prositehosting.co.uk/2024/04/02/pcb-board-edge-arcs-copper-video-16/ n this brief video we talk about the arc created during manufacture on any internal corner or cut out. We also talk about having copper up to the PCB edge.

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PCB board edge arcs & copper to edge design

In this brief video we talk about the PCB board edge arcs & copper to edge issues. When routing a board out any internal corner or cut out with have an arc. Most of the time this arc won’t matter, so when does it? If you are fitting a component in the cut out will there be enough space? If the PCB is being fitted into an enclosure, are you sure it will fit? This video explains about the arcs left in corners and how to plan for them.

We also talk about having copper up to the PCB board edge. Does the pattern match the board edge after a rout? Can you have copper right up to the edge? What is a standard minimum gap between an edge and a copper feature?

All these questions, and a few more, are answered in the video. Even if you don’t think it applies to you now, you might just pick up a little knowledge that will pay dividends in the future.

Click here to view the PCB board edge arcs & copper YouTube video. It would be really great if you could also like the video and subscribe to our channel whilst you are there!

Don’t forget you can view all our videos here too, direct on our site. There are plenty of other PCB design videos to help you. Our favourite one details how to produce a PCB legend that won’t cause you problems during assembly.

Other PCB news blogs you might be interested in...

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]]> Why Polyimide is a Suitable Substrate to Use in PCB Manufacture. https://pwcircuits.co.uk/why-polyimide-is-a-suitable-substrate-to-use-in-pcb-manufacture-16/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:42:53 +0000 http://1136221983.test.prositehosting.co.uk/2024/04/02/why-polyimide-is-a-suitable-substrate-to-use-in-pcb-manufacture-16/ Why Polyimide is a Suitable Substrate to Use in PCB Manufacture. Polyimide is a high-performance plastic material that is well-suited for use as a substrate in PCB manufacture. It offers a number of advantages over other materials, including: Excellent thermal stability: Polyimide can withstand a wide range of temperatures, from -269°C to 400°C, making it […]

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Why Polyimide is a Suitable Substrate to Use in PCB Manufacture.

Polyimide is a high-performance plastic material that is well-suited for use as a substrate in PCB manufacture. It offers a number of advantages over other materials, including:
  • Excellent thermal stability: Polyimide can withstand a wide range of temperatures, from -269°C to 400°C, making it ideal for use in high-temperature applications.
  • Chemical resistance: Polyimide is highly resistant to chemicals and solvents, making it a good choice for use in harsh environments.
  • Flexibility: Polyimide is a flexible material that can be bent and flexed without damage. This makes it ideal for use in flexible and flexi-rigid PCBs.
Polyimide is used in a wide range of PCB applications, including:
  • Aerospace and defence: Polyimide PCBs are used in a variety of aerospace and defence applications, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles.
  • Automotive: Polyimide PCBs are used in a variety of automotive applications, such as engine control units, anti-lock braking systems, and airbags.
  • Medical devices: Polyimide PCBs are used in a variety of medical devices, such as pacemakers, defibrillators, and MRI machines.
  • Telecommunications: Polyimide PCBs are used in a variety of telecommunications equipment, such as base stations, routers, and switches.
If you are looking for a high-performance PCB substrate that can withstand extreme conditions, polyimide is an excellent choice. More information about Polyimide material, including technical data sheets, can be found on our Polyimide Substrates page. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel too, where we talk all things PCB.

Other PCB news blogs you might be interested in...

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]]> Time to reduce CO2? https://pwcircuits.co.uk/time-to-reduce-co2-13/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:39:49 +0000 http://1136221983.test.prositehosting.co.uk/2024/04/02/time-to-reduce-co2-13/ With cop26 in the headlines, we need to consider reducing CO2 and the wider picture we all play in the environment by buying onshore PCB's

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Onshore PCB's, with COP26 in full flow is it time to think about your company carbon footprint more seriously?

The impact on the environment is now clear for all. The planet is getting warmer! So lets talk about onshore PCB’s.

The warming of the Earth happens because the atmosphere traps heat radiating from the world and stops it escaping into space. Certain gases in the atmosphere, called greenhouse gases, block the heat from escaping. One of the biggest problems is carbon dioxide (CO2).

How can you start to reduce CO2 emissions then? I’m sure we are already implementing new strategies and investing in greener technology, but what about offshore imports your bringing into the country?

The amount of CO2 (in grams) emitted per metric ton of freight and per km of transportation.

Globalization makes it easy to send goods around the world. However, the choice of the means of transportation does severely influence the amount of CO2 emitted for the transportation of goods.

Source: Time for Change

From the table above Air Cargo is by far the biggest contributor, but you need those parts urgently, right? Even with Sea freight, the distance they travel is usually over 7500km (I’ll let you do the maths) plus the train / lorry distance’s either end. But that’s not a true picture of CO2 emissions as you should really take into account how the electricity was produced, what happens to the water and any chemicals once the factory has finished with them, plus any recycling arrangements etc…

The best way to reduce all the above CO2 emissions is to not generate them in the first place. If you are able to source your requirements onshore then why not? It might cost you a few more pounds on your balance sheet, but we all know that stopping global warming is going to cost, so push up prices anyway. This way you can promote your company as greener than your rivals and perhaps win more custom, offsetting those price increases?

Contact us today so we can quote for your onshore PCB’s.

Did you know?

The world is now about 1.2C warmer than it was in the 19th Century – and the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen by 50%

Isn't it about time you started to look for local sources of onshore PCB's?​

Other PCB news blogs you might be interested in...

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]]> Designing a PCB Legend https://pwcircuits.co.uk/designing-a-pcb-legend-15/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:39:38 +0000 http://1136221983.test.prositehosting.co.uk/2024/04/02/designing-a-pcb-legend-15/ Informative video guide on how to create the best Printed Circuit Board (PCB) legend for you and your manufacturer.

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PCB legend creation guide video

CAD image showing a top layer PCB legend and copper design

A PCB legend is the text or graphics printed on a circuit board to provide information. It typically includes component labels, orientation indicators, reference designators, and other details. The legend is crucial for correct assembly, troubleshooting, and identifying components. It’s printed on top of the solder mask and should be clear, concise, and easy to read for efficient production and repair.

In the YouTube video below we explain best practices when create a PCB legend for your Printed Circuit Board.

With tips on how to place your legend around surface mount pads, text orientation and even the minimum size you should be outputting at. You can be sure that you’ll prevent future errors and help yourself and your PCB manufacturer. Preventing delays and keep your costs down can only be a good thing.

All our videos can be watched on our YouTube channel (don’t forget to Like and Subscribe please. Share the video with anyone else you feel will benefit from it too). You can also view all our videos on our videos website page .

As always, we’d love for you leave comments or get in contact with us. If you have any questions about creating a PCB legend or anything else then ask.  Let us know if you have PCB manufacturer video you’d like to see, and we can see what we can do.

Other PCB news blogs you might be interested in...

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]]> Do you believe in History? https://pwcircuits.co.uk/do-you-believe-in-history-8/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 09:44:33 +0000 http://1136221983.test.prositehosting.co.uk/2024/04/02/do-you-believe-in-history-8/ Does the existence of a company history make your decision to buy from them easier? Perhaps it should and this article might change your mind?

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PCB manufacturer history. Do you believe in history?

two images showing an ariel view of the factory, The top one shows it from the 1960's with the railway line running behind the factory. The bottom photo shows the facotry now with addtional units moving onto the now tore up railway enbankment.

When you’re looking to purchase from a company what’s your most important requirement? Price (most likely)? Quality? Reliability? Knowledge?  How about the PCB manufacturer history? If you’re buying from an established source that means you should have the quality, reliability & knowledge already covered, and if they’ve been running for a long time then they must have their pricing well structured too!?

We may have been around the block a few times but to me, I have always found that with loads of experience you can’t go wrong. Standing the test of time over these many years show that we are here to stay, dinosaurs we may be but we are definitely not going extinct!

With this modern automated technology now used for making PCB’s I still remember the old process of making a conventional PCB . . . . for the tracking it was a liquid resist that was dipped and dried, your film went on and then you needed UV to expose it, even the sunlight did it! Then out came the bucket of ferric chloride and let’s not mention the roller tinner that could spray you with molton tin! Drilling holes, well you needed a deep throat drill for that one…

This is really showing our age, anyone else out there remembers the good old days?

The photo shows our UK manufacturing factory back in 1958. We didn’t move in until the mid 1980’s (but we’d been making pcbs in South Wigston since 1969), so it was still occupied by Premier Drums back then. The train line, sidings and the large chimney have long gone but our experience, knowledge and skills have all grown.

So next time your sourcing a PCB, ask yourself, what really is the most important factor?

Other PCB news blogs you might be interested in...

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]]> Is this website too complicated? https://pwcircuits.co.uk/is-this-website-too-complicated-2/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 09:42:18 +0000 http://1136221983.test.prositehosting.co.uk/2024/04/02/is-this-website-too-complicated-2/ Ramblings on making our website faster and the minefield of GDPR. Who knew a website about your UK manufactured PCB's could be so complicated?!

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Making our PCB website uncomplicated​

Once upon a time the website was a mysterious beast. To create one meant learning HTML code, programming with text only before viewing what had been created. You then had to fix all the issue’s. Just like any programming language I guess. Hopefully in making our PCB website uncomplicated you’ll reap the benefits!

I entered the world of website creation as I enjoyed all things PC and it was just natural progression I guess. Luckily I started with Dreamweaver so could skip the HTML (and you can argue that without that knowledge I was bound to struggle) and create a few website’s for friends and family.

Now my boss got wind of this and I was “volunteered” to update the company site. This is going back 11 years now (I know this because of the “Wayback Machine” website that stores snap shots, it’s worth a look). My boss wanted a spinning globe to add a bit of movement to our site. That’s pretty much as complicated as it got. OK, so we had to add some SEO bits, but that was just adding lots of words to the meta tags in the header of the pages. Yes, your right once again, it could have been far more complicated than that but I didn’t know any better back then.

Since then I’ve transformed the website twice more, the latest re-incarnation being launched a few weeks ago using WordPress, instructional videos on YouTube, and attending a few lectures about website marketing. But things have got a lot more complicated since my early days.

How have we improved our UK PCB website?

I must admit that with WordPress, all the mobile compatibility issues Google Search Console was screaming at me have now disappeared. I’ve managed to get all the redirections from the old webpages pointing to the equivalent new pages to keep the existing search engine links happy. I’ve got Call to Actions on my site (one asking you to sign up to our mail shot list. I have a Cookie warning popping up and GDPR tick boxes for the dynamic online form / online chat. I’ve utilized the blog section as Google likes new content. Our contact page has got lovely photo’s of some of the staff so you can connect with us.  We have plans to keep content fresh by creating help video’s staring yours truly.

So, as you can imagine, I was pretty smug with myself. For a guy that knows enough but is nowhere near an expert in the field of web sites. I thought I’d done a half decent job (so far). That was until my teenage son points out that my website only scores a 3 (out of 100) on Google’s PageSpeed Insights. What??!! Google measures my site speed and can rank it on that too?!! I had to have a lie down!

So no matter what TV adverts tell you, building a non complicated website is impossible and is it now too complicated? Hopefully in making our PCB website uncomplicated you’ll reap the benefits!

(I’ve got the speed rating up to 46 now, depending on when you refresh the score page, and I’m watching more YouTube video’s on “Eliminating render-blocking resources” (I’m sure it’s the video running on the home page, but I really like that feature!). One thing is for sure, we’ve got a contact us page.

Other PCB news blogs you might be interested in...

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