News
Releases
February 17, 2009
New Etching Capability Installed
Taking a large step closer to our goal of 3 mil line and space capability, a new state of the art chemical etching system has just come on line at Precision Circuits of San Diego.
The new Chemcut XLI547 30Ó Etch/Strip system is the heart of our improved etching capability. This replaces our older ASI system which has been retired.
This system provides precise chemical etching through advanced spray techniques and state of the art controls for pressure, temperature, conveyor speed, and chemical make-up. It allows consistent results down to below .003 inches line and space widths whether we run 2 panels or 1000 panels.
Each job can be fine tuned in an easy set-up procedure requiring nominal operator training and minimal operator interaction.
The Chemcut system also is designed for ultra thin flex circuits down to 2 mil cores. This feature allows us to process complex flex circuits without high yield loss.
We are up and running now and beginning the work of proving our process at the smaller geometries. Very soon we will be accepting jobs below 5 mil line and space.
Watch us grow and develop as your complete source for Design, Fabrication, and Assembly.
October 10, 2008
Second Fiscal Year Closes With Strong Growth
Precision Circuits of San Diego closed its second fiscal year with 35% year over year revenue growth and a doubling in revenue since the acquisition of the company from Kathrand Corporation.
This has been achieved in spite of a general market economy described as at best "slow" and at worst as "recessionary".
We committed at the onset to be narrow in our customer scope, but broad in searching out value we might add to the customers we engage with for design and manufacturing services. Our growth is a reflection of how effective we have been in our role to help customers get to market smoothly and profitably. It is our core philosophy.
Since we began the vision has crystallized into a bundled service of board layout, board fabrication, assembly, and test services. Customers find the combination, coupled with our technical understanding of their circuits and bills of materials, to be a large value add to their business. Very few companies in this arena offer technical expertise in all three areas and a willingness to service the small to medium scale projects.
We are grateful to this growing base of customers and pledge to continue the factory improvements and capability expansion so that we can always add value to our customers' business through our design and manufacturing support.
September 1, 2008
Factory Remodeling and Improvement. On the road to 3.5 mil geometry
This week we completed the scheduled factory floor remodeling designed to help us achieve the next step in our technology roadmap.
New environmental controls have been added to our imaging room ( the Yellow Room ) which better able us to control sensitive circuit imaging processes. Humidity and dust control were identified as critical targets for improvement in meeting the next mile stone of 3.5 mils line and space geometries. To achieve this the developing process was separated from the actual imaging process and isolated in its own space. The Yellow room was sealed and traffic in and out is now controlled. No dust or lint generating materials are allowed inside the yellow room.
The screening room received a similar remake. In this case we moved the scrubbing process, which immediately precedes application of solder mask into the screening room. This provides a cleaner atmosphere for the exposed copper and assures strong solder mask adhesion. Again, access was re-configured to minimize foot traffic and promote a clean environment.
Laminar sub-micron filters will be added shortly above all of the stations, circuit imaging, solder mask screening, solder mask imaging, and legend screening/imaging, to further filter out any small dust or fibers.
The target of 3.5 mils line and space goal is set for Q1 2009. These changes will take us the next step. Once we can measure the results from this activity we will develop the plan for further improvements.
June 15, 2007
Circuit Assembly Capability Enhanced
Precision Circuits embarked last quarter on expanding and enhancing our circuit card design and assembly capability.
We have experienced strong growth and see developing need as more customers recognize the benefits of a single source to provide a complete and tested assembly. The consolidation of layout, board fabrication, assembly, and test into one purchase order and one vendor relationship is a big cost ( and hassle) saver. In our specific case, the electronic component knowledge in residence is enormous and translates to smarter purchasing decisions, BOMs better understood, and lower costs to our customers.
Our expanded capability includes a new controlled materials and kitting area, greater materials purchasing talent, added soldering and component prep equipment. We also have expanded the assembly floor space by 75% to accommodate the volume of work in progress.
We select assembly technicians based on experience and skill in hand soldering components as small as 0402 and 100 pin flat packs with accuracy and speed. Each board receives 100% personal attention.
Our technology roadmap calls for a steady roll out of further capability as our market dictates and as we help our customers grow their entry products into higher volume production.
January 20, 2007
Capability Upgrade
The first major milestone in our technology roadmap was officially met this week.
We set out last June to bring our line and space geometry down from 8 mils line and space to 5 mils line and space.
With our latest yield results of 97% on a variety of test lots we officially changed the DRC ( Design Rule Check ) test to the smaller geometry and we are accepting orders requiring these more dense layouts.
The improvement was achieved through implementing a new quality control system which emphasizes individual station inspection and rigorous process controls on every critical piece of equipment. The new processes were coupled with adding skilled industry veterans to the production team who inspire nad train on the production floor.
June 15, 2006
Precision Circuits Purchased from Kathrand Corporation
Thomas B. Smiley of Carlsbad announced the acquisition
of Precision Circuits of San Diego from Kathrand Corporation.
The new company will operate under the Precision Circuits
of San Diego brand and is incorporated as First Circuit,
Inc.
The acquisition was partially funded through Discovery
Bank in San Marcos, a local community bank which was founded
in 2001 to assist local businesses.
Precision Circuits has served the area since 1985 and
recently added black box design, board layout, and component
assembly to round out the circuit board fabrication capability.
They will continue to serve the dynamic development community
here in the greater San Diego area.
Smiley stated "We are working diligently to make
this a very smooth transition for existing customers,
with no change in location, phone, email, or terms."
"We will however, look at all of our operating systems
and process capabilities, making improvements where necessary.
Our mission is to provide superior, competitive, end to
end support for quick turn prototype and early development
electronic project needs. To that end, additional equipment
is planned and several pieces are already on order. We
intend to be nothing less than the premier source for
San Diego County's development community and low volume
manufacturer."
All existing employees will be retained as well as one
of the former owners, Sam Richards. Sam will continue
in an engineering role supporting the expanding design
side of the business.
Precision Circuits web address is
www.precisionpcbs.com.
June 1, 2006
Ownership Change
Ownership changes can be smooth or they can be difficult.
We intend to make this seamless for everyone. Call me if
I am wrong.
This means no change in -
- Location or telephone or email or personnel.
- Production equipment or processes…except upgrades
as necessary.
- Invoice payment locations or terms…pay outstanding
bills as usual.
- Our identify or name.
Precision
Circuits of San Diego will continue to be our brand, but
now our legal entity changes to First Circuit, Inc.
What you can expect -
- Expect to hear from us conducting a brief satisfaction
and needs survey.
- Expect in areas where you tell us to improve, we will
do just that.
- Expect that we will bring a higher level of anticipatory
service to your company.
- Expect us to want to earn the right to become your prime
source for prototype through early stage production
PCBs and assemblies.
PC Board Design/Layout 
PC Board Fabrication 
PC Board Assembly
