Small Batch PCBA Assembler? 5 Deadly Red Flags & Your Engineer-Validated Supplier Checklist
You’ve poured months into your hardware design. Your Kickstarter hits 50K. Then—silence. Your small batch PCBA assembler misses deadlines, charges 50K. Then—silence. Your small batch PCBA assembler misses deadlines, charges 8K in “unexpected engineering fees,” and delivers boards with cold solder joints. I’ve been there: as a PCB engineer who’s managed 200+ small-batch projects (and learned hard lessons), I’ve seen startups lose six figures to avoidable supplier pitfalls. If you’re vetting a small batch PCBA assembler for prototypes, medical devices, or IoT hardware— stop scrolling . This isn’t theory. We break down exactly why failures happen, how to verify capabilities with engineering rigor, and give you a printable checklist backed by IPC standards. Why This Small Batch PCBA Assembler Guide Saves Projects (Backed by Data) Based on IPC-A-610 Class 2 failure analysis, SMT Magazine supply chain reports (2023), and 15 years of field experience: ✅ 5...