How we as assemblers work together with developers: Bringing your product successfully into series production together!

You undertake the development – but we’re happy to be a constructive partner in all phases of the project

We love electronics. Solving problems, implementing layouts, optimising and marvelling at the end product is what drives us. These many small components and ramifications that work together in the end – that’s what fascinates us. You surely know the satisfying feeling when a capacitor is positioned differently – saving space once again. Art, creativity, craftsmanship – a dream. That’s why we are always pleased when we receive exciting developments as commissions or are allowed to participate in the development process ourselves. Are you yourself a developer in the field of electronics? Then we have information at a glance here and introduce ourselves as an EMS service provider that does more than just implement plans. Because as a developer, you are an important contact person for us.

What interests you in particular about our collaboration with developers?

With us you get contract manufacturing – and a service provider who supports and accompanies development

What does that mean? We have made the experience that developers, purchasers, managing directors and also EMS service providers each look differently at an assembly, a circuit board and the future product. It often goes like this:

  1. A product is developed at your company.
  2. Your purchasing department receives the plans for the assembly to be fitted.
  3. Purchasing forwards these plans and development data to us.
  4. Then we can just write a quote and get started when we have all the info – but sometimes we go back to the end of point 1 together with you. For example, when we notice direct optimisation potential.

“Even the best developer looks at a single PCB differently than we do at the mass production of assemblies. If we see opportunities for optimisation, then we look at the project together with the developer and find a solution.”

Kristin Teichmann
Head of Production Management

But we assemble over 1 million modules a year, both by THT assembly and SMT assembly. We carry out complete assemblies. In a nutshell: We have an eye for PCB assembly and subassemblies. Because we deal intensively with every new project. We know the developers at our customers do excellent work. But we have another look at cost efficiency and the subsequent product. We know where hurdles can arise in the production of a large series. And which assemblies work in theory but could cause problems in practice.

Long-term contact persons for short official channels

A familiar story? Project processes that are delayed on eternally long communication paths over seven corners? We don’t like that at all. That’s why we focus on long-term cooperation with our customers. And that is: We exchange ideas intensively with developers like you. This also means: You know what works. Our technician will also call you, the developer, directly to clarify a question. We sometimes find this more useful than discussing with the “official” contact person or writing an e-mail which is then forwarded (unless you explicitly want this and all the provisions of the ISO standards are not affected by this).

We want to create a great product together and bring it successfully into series production. We like to solve problems as uncomplicated as possible.

No matter what you need in the EMS sector, we have the right contacts. Contact our advisors here:

No matter what you need in the EMS sector, we have the right contacts. Contact our advisors here:

Call us at

+49 4487 9283 0

Contact now

We are happy to help you put together the right documentation for us, your production partner

We need certain data to work. We usually get them from the development department of our customers. Of course, there are also development departments that have not yet gained years of experience in working with PCB assemblers. For example, in start-ups or when companies enter new business fields. We feel privileged to assist these companies and departments. We’re happy to reflect on one or two of your plans again and work with you – to realise the best possible product. After all, what's the best price if the product doesn’t work as planned in the end?

All in all, we need documents in three stages:

  1. The PCB data, for example in Gerber or Eagle format: We need this so that we can tell our suppliers which PCB we need for your product.
  2. A parts list, also called a “BOM”: Bill of material. All components that are installed on the board are listed on it with the specific manufacturer’s designation and all technical data: Ohm, Watt etc.
  3. The arrangement of the components on the assembly, the so-called assembly plan. We need it for our pick-and-place machines in PCB assembly
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What information do we need for an assembly enquiry?

The more information we get from you at the start of the project, the better and more efficiently we can start. Items marked with an * are optional. You can find a practical checklist here.

  • Data of the printed circuit board, preferably in extended Gerber format (RS274-x)
  • Separate parts list in Excel format, designation of components, component references, manufacturer’s article number*, released alternative components*, available quote prices*
  • Assembly plan
  • Sample assembly*, gladly also with a photo
  • Request quantity, gladly 2-3 quantities, for example: 100 / 500 / 1,000 pieces
  • Planned delivery date
  • Call-off quantities, one-off or in a framework agreement, usually covering 12 months
Nahaufnahme der Seite einer bestückten Platine
Close-up of the side of a mounted circuit board

Stencil printer for mass, jet printer for prototypes and 0-series

We have a stencil printer in each of our three SMD production lines. With this process we solder a finished assembly design at very high speed. However, if we have a template made, it costs money. Then the board and the assembly should already be fully developed. With our jet printer, on the other hand, we can also test something without having to get a new stencil straight away.

In addition, the stencil always has only one thickness, unless we order a step stencil – if we need more solder paste on a board in places, we can first apply it with our stencil printer and then add an additional layer of solder paste with the jet printer.

We never change the developers’ data without being asked to do so!

Just to be clear: Of course, we never change the data you send us as a company or developer for an assembly. We always trust that we will assemble a board that works in the end. However, you can also approach us on your own initiative if you feel that you need a second opinion on an assembly.

“Our jet printer supports us in SMD assembly, producing the smallest quantities cost-efficiently – or soldering a prototype for you without major effort.”

Kristin Teichmann
Head of Production Management

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Passive components in the SMD range

For the trainees and career changers reading here: A passive component does not need an energy source to function. Examples of passive components are capacitors, resistors or diodes.

For the chip design, we have listed the typical enclosure dimensions here. The code according to the EIA standard refers to the inch size (EXAMPLE), the metric code (international “metric code”) to the size in mm (code “0402” then means 0.4 mm length and 0.2 mm width).

Code according to EIA standard Dimensions in inches Metric code according to IEC / EN standard Dimensions in mm
1005 0.016 × 0.0079 0402 0.4 × 0.2
0201 0.024 × 0.012 0603 0.6 × 0.3
0402 0.039 × 0.020 1005 1.0 × 0.5
0603 0.063 × 0.031 1608 1.6 × 0.8
       

Active components in the SMD range

Here, too, a brief definition for all those who are reading here from outside the field: Active components are components that rely on an external power source. The typical example: transistors, microcontrollers or microchips.

“Our experience is that a second opinion is often worthwhile for projects that have been in existence for a long time. For example, if the head developer is no longer with the company or you have taken over the project from another company.”

Kristin Teichmann
Head of Production Management

We produce the best possible product together with you.
And put it into series production. Curious?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered yet? We are happy to talk to you. Call us directly or contact us here, we will be happy to call you back.

How we realise your projects as an EMS partner

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“A+B Electronic is a reliable and trustworthy partner with whom we have had a very good business relationship for many years.”

Manfred Meereis, Plasmatreat GmbH