Turnkey refers to the concept that one has to simply turn a key to accomplish a task. In electronics manufacturing turnkey refers to the process where a company outsources its entire manufacturing process to a contract manufacturer. The most famous example is Foxconn which is the contract manufacturer for the Apple iPhone. EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services) companies specialize in manufacturing electronic products end-to-end. The company that requires an electronic product manufactured provides the design and documents to the EMS company. The EMS will execute the turnkey PCB Assembly process and deliver the end product to the client company who can then sell it to their customers.
EMS companies take on all the heavy lifting of finding the suppliers, procuring the components, manufacturing the product, testing and packaging. This allows the client to focus on the design, marketing and sales of the product and avoid the complex and costly process of in-house manufacturing.
Key functions that make up turnkey manufacturing
Procurement
Electronic products involve a lot of components including PCB’s, Integrated Circuits, Capacitors, Transistors and numerous others. The EMS takes care of procuring these for the specific design of a client. They take care of getting the best pricing, quality and delivery terms from the suppliers. This is one part of the turnkey PCB Assembly that requires relationships with component suppliers. At Podrain Electronics we have relationships with major suppliers.
PCB Assembly
Surface mount assembly is the most popular electronic manufacturing process due to its low cost and efficiency. The process involves placing the components onto a printed circuit board (PCB). This method is highly efficient as it is automated which results in reduced costs and increased quality.
Through hole assembly is a technology where components are inserted into pre-drilled holes and then soldered onto the board. This is a more expensive process but useful for products that require high reliability and the need to withstand environmental stress.
PCB Testing and Quality Control
EMS companies ensure the quality of the product by using a technique called Automated Optical Inspection (AOI). These require specialized X-ray inspection machines which can look for specific defects like missing components, incorrect polarity and others.
Visual inspection is another technique used to ensure quality. This requires technical knowledge and care to ensure irregularities are found and fixed quickly.
In circuit testing (ICT) is another process that tests to ensure the components and connections on a PCB work properly and according to its intended function. This reduces product recalls due to defective products.
Testing. is a key element of the turnkey PCB Assembly process. Podrain Electronics takes pride in this so clients can rely on us for quality.
Packaging and Shipping
The finished products are then packaged and shipped to the clients preferred location.
Shipping can involve container shipping, couriers or air freight.
After sales service and support
The EMS company documents the whole manufacturing process from end to end. This helps in future troubleshooting. It also helps in adjusting to changes in product design.
Prototyping
Most electronic product companies need prototype manufacturing services. For them turnkey manufacturing is the best option. Since they require only a few boards manufactured (10-100 for example) having a trusted turnkey PCB Assembly partner is a must. This is applicable to both small and large companies. At Podrain one of our specialities is prototype manufacturing. Read more about prototype manufacturing here.
Advantages of Turnkey Assembly
In summary EMS’s take a lot of work out of the client’s hands. This allows clients to reduce costs and save time by not having to invest in capital expenditures and labor. Instead they can focus on other business activities. EMS companies have expertise in PCB assembly that clients can rely on. Companies need a reliable EMS partner who can provide the expertise, quality and timely delivery of products. At Podrain Electronics we pride ourselves on being a trusted partner to our clients as their success is our success. Contact us to learn more. Email [email protected] or Contact Us.
