- Sourcing Alternative Components: Find and source alternative components with close specifications. Use components from more than one manufacturer to ensure the part's sourcing.
- Design for Supply: Consider the use of components that are in stock and have short manufacturing times, while at the same time, use other components from different manufacturers.
- Strategic Stocking: Buy key PCB components ahead of schedule and negotiate with the suppliers for buffer stock in order to avoid the risks in future.
- Long-Term Supplier Relationships: Make suppliers enduring partners so that their knowledge of component availability becomes in reinforced access and availability of components.
- Design Modularity: Use modular design with PCBs in a way that the failure of one module will not stop production. Use different module designs where the particular design is scarce.
- Flexible Footprints: Design PCBs in such a way that they can take in components from other manufacturers thus improving adaptability in case of supply alteration.
- BOM Life Cycle Issues: Limit the number of unique PCB components by using the same components in different designs. This will also help improve purchasing power and decrease shortage incidences.
- Technological Irrespective Developments: Ensure system designs allow for flexibility to upgrade the system through changes in firmware, software, or hardware components.
- Regularly Review BOM: Periodically check on BOMs supply alerts, end-of-life notices, and lead-time extensions to stay proactive.
The Impact of Global Supply Chains on PCB Component Availability and How to deal with it
PCB manufacturing relies heavily on the effectiveness of global supply chains, which provide essential parts such as semiconductors, capacitors, resistors, and connectors. Procurement challenges along these chains can incapacitate PCB assembly operations, causing delays, increased expenses, or even halting production altogether.
In recent times, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it has been clear that these supply chains are sensitive in nature and have resulted in an acute PCB component sourcing crisis.
Global Chip Shortage
The global shortage of chips has mainly been triggered by the surge in the consumption of semiconductors in sectors such as 5G, IoT, and electric vehicles against the backdrop of chip supply chain interruptions. The factors causing this issue include the rise in consumer electronics consumption and the complexities in automotive chip sourcing.
This, however, has had a negative effect on PCB production because crucial parts such as FPGAs, CPUs, and MCUs have become more difficult to find. Now, engineers have to factor in component sourcing during the design, scope for substitution, and look forward to a longer lead period. This leads to a change in the whole PCB development process, which results in time wastage, high costs, and a reduction in the design options available.
Strategies to Address PCB Component Shortages
Consider these measures as appropriate for overcoming the effects of PCB component shortages:
Conclusion
In Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing, utilization of some methodologies such as alternative components, modular design, and flexible footprints can ease the constraint in production activities as a result of supply limitation. Moreover, manufacturers can reduce the threat of component shortages by building partnerships with suppliers, making investments in predictive tools, and timely optimization of the BOMs. This approach would allow the production of bare boards and assembled PCBs without unnecessary lock-out periods, thus ensuring the supply of essential PCB components for various uses.
With more than 35 years of expertise, PCB Power USA is taking advantage of its global supply chain capabilities to offer agile and dependable PCB manufacturing services. They ensure available components and technical assistance in support of the electronics innovators regardless of the market trends. To have trustable PCBs and get unmatchable services, PCB Power USA is the ultimate option.
