PCB Prototypes
Fast, Reliable PCB Prototyping Service
ABL Circuits designs, manufactures, and tests PCB prototypes under one roof at our Baldock, Hertfordshire facility. Prototyping your board first catches design flaws early and avoids a costly re-run once you're at full volume. Because every stage happens on-site, turnaround can be fast when it needs to be, with prototypes possible in as little as 8 hours and full production runs in as little as 5 days.
One Team, Start to Finish
Because prototyping, manufacturing, and assembly all happen at the same Baldock site, there's no handover between a design house and a separate factory.
What Happens After Your Prototype
If changes are needed once you've reviewed your prototype, they can be discussed and revised quickly. Because design, manufacturing, and assembly are all handled in-house, revisions don't mean starting again with a new supplier or going back to the end of someone else's queue.
From Prototype to Full Production
Every prototype we produce can be scaled into full production without changing supplier. Because the same team and the same facility handle both stages, there's no loss of quality and no delay moving from a validated prototype to a production run.
On a recent job for an antenna manufacturer building a miniature oscillator board for AM radio exam training, our engineers took the client's schematic and layout, compressed it into a 30mm by 30mm board, and delivered it, fully manufactured, assembled, and tested, in under one week. Keeping everything in-house is what makes that kind of pace possible when a job calls for it. - Will Leverett
Why Choose ABL Circuits for PCB Prototyping
- Every prototype can move straight into full production, because design, manufacturing, assembly, and testing are all handled in-house
- Decades of expertise, with over 40 years in PCB manufacturing
- Expert team skilled in design, assembly, reverse engineering, and blank board manufacturing
- Confidential services available under NDA if required
- Fast turnaround when you need it, with prototypes possible in as little as 8 hours and full runs in as little as 5 days
Key Differences Between SMT and THT Assembly
PCB assembly uses two main techniques:
Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
SMT components are soldered directly onto the board’s surface, offering:
1
Often using Pick and Place machines.
2
Ideal for compact, high-density designs.
3
Connections may be weaker under stress.
Through-Hole Technology (THT)
THT involves inserting component leads through drilled holes for a stronger connection:
1
Ideal for high-vibration or high-power applications.
2
Additional drilling and soldering steps required.
3
Due to lead-based design and extra material.
Related Case Studies
What are the benefits of rapid prototyping?
Can prototypes be scaled into full production with ABL Circuits?
How do you make sure prototypes are accurate and reliable?
What happens if I need changes after the prototype stage?
Do you keep everything in-house, or is any stage outsourced?
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See how ABL Circuits can help you today:
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ABL Circuits have offered a state of the art PCB Manufacturing Service for over 40 years.
ABL Circuits Ltd Icknield Way,
Baldock Hertfordshire, SG7 5BB
United Kingdom
