How do you take the leap?
From concept to robust series production, without headaches or unnecessary costs.
Automate
Choose advanced SMT lines with inline AOI inspection; this almost automatically cuts error rates and boosts output.
Integrate
Combine design for manufacturing with inventory management in a single platform to avoid unexpected stoppages.
Innovate
Adopt alternative interconnection techniques such as press-fit or selective soldering, especially for thermally sensitive applications.
Optimise
Proactively carry out DfX reviews and lifecycle analyses so End-of-Life components don’t catch you off guard later on.
A travel log of sorts..
A travel log of sorts.
Why electronics manufacturing remains fascinating
Electronics manufacturing uniquely blends creativity and precision; place one tiny component incorrectly and an entire batch may be scrapped. Yet those who streamline the process achieve lead times that leave competitors jealous.
What you need to watch
From component shortages to ever-stricter certifications, the playing field changes monthly. We notice that companies investing early in supply-chain partnerships experience significantly less downtime.
What this delivers in practice
Faster time-to-market, lower scrap rates and—equally important—happy customers who return.
Unplanned downtime drops by up to 30 %
RMA percentages fall below 1 %
New product introductions happen in weeks instead of months
Step by step, without a rigid roadmap..
Step 1: Define your vision.
The first step may sound soft, yet without a crystal-clear goal—think volumes, markets, certifications—every subsequent decision floats. Take an afternoon, bring stakeholders together and write the criteria literally on the whiteboard.
Step 2: Run a DfX workshop.
Immediately after that vision session, run the drawings through a DfM and DfT matrix. In practice we often see that simply repositioning a connector saves 20 % assembly time.
Step 3: Anchor the supply chain.
Make agreements with at least two component distributors and contractually fix EOL alerts. This alone covers roughly 80 % of supply security.
Step 4: Build a pilot batch.
Don’t skip this, no matter how much pressure there is. Use the pilot to fine-tune AOI parameters, validate stencil designs and calibrate functional tests. In fact, a solid pilot prevents future swap-outs.
Step 5: Scale up & automate.
Once the pilot runs flawlessly, move towards full-rate production. Deploy automated reel tracking so you have component-level traceability—audits always come when you least expect them.
Step 6: Continuous improvement.
Monitor scrap, first-pass yield and OEE weekly. Build small Kaizen improvements into the rhythm, otherwise performance quietly slips away again.
Ready to get started together?
You now know what goes into electronics manufacturing, yet every project raises new questions. Let’s spar informally about your next PCB, cable harness or complete system—a short conversation could reveal the missing link.
A critical look at cost control.
Why the lowest unit price is not always the cheapest
It sounds attractive: have it made somewhere in Asia for a fraction of the price. Yet shipping lead times, import duties and miscommunications often hit harder than expected.
When a PCB needs multiple re-spins due to interpretation errors, you lose not only money but also momentum. What’s often forgotten is the hidden impact on cash flow; stock in transit counts too.
Local versus offshore assembly
Local production gives direct access to operators and engineers, whereas offshore forces you into extensive documentation. We find teams with local partners iterate faster and ultimately spend less.
Practical tips for fault-free assembly.
Small tweaks, big impact
Oversized solder pads can cause tombstoning, while trimming a few micrometres solves the issue. Use a paste-mask reduction of 15 % for 0402 components; such detail saves rework.
Opt for inline AOI with 3D measurement; 2D sees presence but misses height variations. Also, place fiducial marks outside critical RF traces, otherwise they affect impedance.
Fine-tuning temperature profiles
Adjust the pre-heat zone based on board mass, because a thick four-layer FR4 otherwise drags the peak down and leaves you with cold joints.
A look ahead to sustainable manufacturing.
Less waste, more circularity
Young engineers ask themselves, "Can’t it be greener?" Yes—selective soldering avoids flux residue and uses less tin. Plus, closed-loop nitrogen recycling pays for itself within two years.
The good news: more and more EMS partners offer component obsolescence tracking combined with refurb modules. This keeps a product supportable for longer without new PCB runs.
From linear to circular
Using disassembly-friendly press-fit connections allows valuable ICs to be reused easily. In practice that yields up to a 40 % reduction in e-waste—not bad at all.
"A deal is a deal"
Yield.inc is a new asset manager in the Netherlands that focuses on excellent customer experience, sustainability and technology. When faced with the question of whether to develop our platform in-house or with a partner, we got in touch with Spartner. We are still 100% behind the choice for Spartner because we own the source code and with Spartner, a deal really is a deal, whether it concerns the delivery date or the agreed budget!
Hans Lugtenberg Partner at Yield Inc.
"A professional software partner since 2010"
Spartner is involved and contributes in our search for innovations and always delivers top-notch work. After the first Huurda.nl version got out-dated, we collaboratively launched a completely new version in 2020.
Custom-built search engine for rental propertiesNorbert Wegter Owner of 123wonen and Expat Homes Holland
"Pragmatic and flexible collaboration"
Spartner has created a customized portal for us for the accountability of large-scale collaborative projects. This enables us and our partners to execute and account for their plans in a shared environment that is secure, transparent, and manageable. The pragmatic and flexible collaboration with Spartner has ensured that we have quickly achieved a functional and user-friendly environment.
Jurjen Terpstra Managing Partner at Wecreate Consulting
"AI and machine learning as legal tools"
In 2020, we transferred the development of Lynn to Spartner. As a result of their fast development process, the Lynn platform achieves an increasingly central role in the legal world.
Lynn, the smart AI legal robotMarco Caspers Software Development Manager at Lynn Legal
"As a business you must dare to move forward"
Innovation and change are not always welcomed with equal enthusiasm by our employees, man is a creature of habit but as a company you have to dare to move forward and the need for a contemporary drawing program for the realization of various constructions with our Masterbloc bricks was high. For us but also for Spartner, this challenge was a bit of pioneering and together we had to overcome some hurdles to arrive at a beautiful and efficient business tool. A development and learning process for both parties, in which the feedback of questions and desired adjustments by our employees to Spartner was always in good consultation and we could count on quick feedback and targeted solutions. We continue to exchange experiences with Spartner and look back and forward to a successful collaboration.
Powerful 3D construction drawing softwareBjorn Gubbels Owner of Masterbloc
"Spartner extends our capabilities and development capacity"
With weekly calls, using our Azure DevOps sprint system, Spartner actively works together with our innovation, communication and software development departments.
Multi-website CMS with Statamic 3Marco Leenders Head of Automation
"Flexible collaboration with yearly updates"
The projectteam of the city of Groningen is very enthusiastic about the "Roomfinder" platform.
Real estate management software for student roomsGemeente Groningen Projectteam
"Have been using Laravel Excel for years"
We requested custom help to a performance challenge we had in our implementation of Laravel Excel. I was amazed how quickly these Laravel artisans achieved significant performance gains, which saved us a lot of development time.
Open source package for LaravelJosh Mountain Co-Founder at IncentivePilot.com
"Higher occupancy rate thanks to our user-friendly platform"
Throughout the great years that we cooperate with Spartner (previously Maatwebsite, Ed.), our software has been developed continuously. Students and landlords actively work with features like allocation, payments, chat, contract generation and more.
Custom built ERP for all student residencesMaurice Evers Head of Student Housing Department
"Innovating in the digital identification network of The Netherlands and Europe"
The pro-active approach of Spartner was crucial in understanding the complexity of the eHerkenning network.
Development of eHerkenning connection and servicesMaarten Bremer CTO / Founder Ensured
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"Innovation in legal technology"
As jurists with knowledge of IT, we highly value quality; within code, but also in process. The high work-level and trustworthiness of Spartner gives us the capacity to continuously create innovative features.
Legal tech platformNiels Winters Managing Director JuriBlox
How fast can I move from prototype to series production? 🙂
Lead time strongly depends on design complexity and component availability; on average we see companies with a tight DfX process running series within 6-8 weeks.
Is SMT always better than THT? 🤔
Not necessarily. SMT is more compact and quicker, but THT provides mechanical strength for heavy connectors or high-temperature applications. A hybrid approach often wins.
How do I handle component shortages?
Work with multiple distributors, enable EOL alerts and plan alternative components in the design. It can be frustrating when a critical IC suddenly isn’t available, but this keeps you flexible.
Which certifications are truly necessary?
For general electronics, ISO 9001 is usually sufficient; in medical or automotive markets you’ll need ISO 13485 or IATF 16949 respectively.
What does an AOI system actually cost? đź’¸
Prices range from €30 k to €150 k depending on 3D capabilities. You quickly earn it back through lower rework costs.
Can I combine sustainability with low costs?
Yes—think energy-efficient ovens and closed-loop nitrogen. An upfront investment but lower operating costs in the long run.
How important will traceability be in 2025?
Extremely important. Customers and regulators alike expect component-level tracking. It also facilitates root-cause analyses when something goes wrong.
What if my design isn’t production-ready yet?
Schedule a design review with an EMS partner; small layout tweaks prevent major production errors.
Is it worthwhile to produce in-house? đźŹ
Only when your volumes are large, know-how is available and you’re prepared to keep investing in machinery. Otherwise you’re better off with a specialised partner.
What role does software play in electronics manufacturing?
ERP and MES systems connect purchasing, production and quality data. Without that link you lose oversight, especially with multi-site production.
