As is well known, PCB is the core component of all electronic devices, and PCB sampling is a key link in the product development process. PCB prototyping refers to the trial production of completed circuit boards through small batch production to verify their functionality, performance, and process feasibility. Unlike mass production, the focus of sampling is on testing whether the design meets expected requirements, rather than cost control or mass production efficiency.
1、 Production purpose and stage
PCB sampling: mainly used in the product design stage to test and verify the correctness and functionality of circuit design. It usually occurs before mass production and is used for prototyping or small-scale testing.
PCB batch production: It is the production process carried out after product design is finalized and tested in the market to meet large-scale market demand.
2、 Production scale and quantity
PCB sampling: Usually the order area is small, generally not exceeding 5 square meters. The production quantity is usually small, perhaps only a few to a few dozen units.
PCB batch: The order area is relatively large, usually over 50 square meters. The production quantity may involve thousands of units.
3、 Production efficiency and cost control
PCB prototyping: More emphasis is placed on quick response and flexibility to adapt to rapid iterations and modifications in design. The unit cost is relatively high and the price is relatively expensive because the fixed costs in the production process (such as setup fees, engineering costs, etc.) need to be allocated to fewer products.
PCB Batch: More emphasis is placed on production efficiency, cost control, and quality assurance. The unit cost is lower and the price is more competitive because fixed costs can be allocated to more products, and variable costs can be reduced through automation and optimization of production processes.
4、 Quality Control and Testing
PCB sampling: Strict quality control and testing may not be carried out as the main purpose is to validate the design rather than produce the final product. Quality control may rely more on design validation and testing rather than quality assurance in the production process.
PCB Batch: Strict quality control processes are required, including raw material inspection, online testing, final inspection, etc., to ensure product consistency and reliability. Any quality issues in mass production can lead to large-scale recalls or rework, therefore the requirements for quality control are very high.
5、 Production process and degree of automation
PCB sampling: More flexible production processes may be used to adapt to rapid changes and modifications in design. It may rely more on manual operations and small-scale automation.
PCB Batch: Adopting highly automated and standardized production processes to improve production efficiency and reduce costs. Accurate production planning and strict production process control are required to ensure smooth production.
The difference in process between PCB sampling and mass production mainly lies in the purpose, production scale, production efficiency, quality control, production process, and other aspects. The PCB sampling stage focuses more on flexibility and rapid verification, while PCB mass production emphasizes process stability, consistency, and cost control.
