PCB Assembly
Printed Circuit Board Assembly in the UK and Ireland
Do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have.
• 01384 891991
• enquiries@firstchoiceassembly.co.uk
Reliable PCB Assembly Services –
Fast, Accurate, and Built to Last
Looking for a trusted PCB assembly partner? At First Choice Assembly, we specialise in high-quality printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) for businesses across the UK and Europe. Whether you need rapid prototyping, small batch runs, or full-scale production, our team delivers precision, consistency, and reliability every time.
✔️ Surface Mount (SMT), Through Hole (THT) & Mixed Technology
✔️ Prototype & Fast-Turnaround PCB Assembly
✔️ Trusted UK Supplier Across Automotive, Aerospace, Medical, Telecoms & More
✔️ IPC-Standard Quality with Rigorous Testing
From sourcing components to full design & assembly support, we provide a complete PCB assembly service tailored to your project
What is Printed Circuit Board Assembly?
Printed circuit board assembly, often abbreviated to PCB assembly or PCBA, is the process of mounting and soldering electronic components onto a bare circuit board to create a functional device. Unlike PCB fabrication, which refers to the production of the physical board itself, PCB assembly involves attaching resistors, capacitors, integrated circuits and connectors etc to form an assembled circuit board. This stage transforms a printed board into an operational unit that can be used in everything from consumer electronics to aerospace control systems.
At its core, circuit board assembly requires precision, consistency and adherence to industry standards. Whether through hole PCB assembly or surface mount technology (SMT), the aim is always the same: a high quality PCB assembly that meets exacting requirements for performance and reliability
PCB Assembly vs PCB Manufacturing
It is common for the terms PCB assembly and PCB manufacturing to be used interchangeably, but they describe different parts of the process. PCB manufacturing, or PCB fabrication, refers to the creation of the bare printed board using substrates, copper layers and vias. PCB assembly, on the other hand, begins once the board is fabricated. It covers the assembly of printed circuit boards, including soldering, component placement and inspection.
A reliable pcb assembly house will often work closely with a pcb fabrication partner to provide a complete pcb design and assembly service. This integrated approach reduces lead times, simplifies supply chains and ensures better quality control.
The PCB Assembly Process and Equipment
The assembly of printed circuit boards involves several stages. Components are placed onto the pcb board assembly using automated pick and place machines, then soldered by reflow ovens or wave soldering systems. For smd board assembly, reflow soldering ensures secure, high quality joints. Through hole assembly often uses selective soldering or wave soldering depending on the component type.
Our pcb soldering service is supported by state of the art inspection and testing systems, ensuring that every assembled circuit board meets rigorous standards.
If you have any questions about our PCB Assembly services?
Get in touch with our team and we can answer them. 01384 891 991
We can supply you with a detailed quote for your printed circuit board assembly project.
Our facilities are equipped to handle both small and large production runs. We provide:
Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
SMT board assembly allows high speed placement of miniature components directly onto the surface of the pcb assembly board. Automated circuit board assembly machinery ensures accuracy, consistency and efficient throughput.
Prototype and Fast Turnaround
For clients needing rapid development, we provide fast turn circuit board assembly and pcb fast turnaround services. This enables testing of new designs before committing to full production.
Our PCB Assembly Capabilities
Through Hole Assembly
Through hole PCB assembly remains essential for components that require mechanical strength or operate in high stress environments. Our team has extensive expertise in both automated and manual through hole assembly.
Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
Quality is at the core of our PCB assembly services. Each PCB undergoes rigorous Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) to check:
- Component placement accuracy
- Solder joint integrity
- Alignment and polarity
- Defects or missing components
Mixed Technology Assembly
Many applications demand a combination of SMT and THT pcb assembly. We offer flexible pcb assembly solutions that combine both processes, ensuring every assembled printed circuit board performs exactly as intended.
Specialist Services
We also supply bga pcb assembly, fine pitch pcb assembly, led light circuit board assembly and custom circuit board assembly for highly specialised applications.
Industries we serve
First Choice Assembly supplies assembled printed circuit boards to a wide range of industries. Our industrial PCB assembly supports sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defence, telecommunications, lighting, consumer electronics and medical technology. We also offer specialist services including LED PCB assembly for lighting applications and control board assembly for industrial machinery.
Our industrial PCB assembly supports sectors such as:
Automotive
Telecommunications
Lighting & Emergency Lighting
Consumer electronics
Medical technology.
IOT (Internet of Things)
EV (Electric Vehicle Technology)
Fire and Security
Each industry brings unique challenges, whether it is the demand for aerospace PCB assembly that must meet stringent safety regulations, or medical PCB assembly where precision and reliability are critical. Our experience across diverse fields enables us to act as a dependable pcb assembly supplier for organisations with complex needs
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Automotive Electronics
Engine control units (ECUs), battery management systems, infotainment solutions.
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Medical Devices
High-precision PCBs for diagnostic and monitoring systems.
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Consumer Electronics
Wearable tech, smart home devices, and IoT solutions.
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Industrial Automation
Robotics, control systems, and sensor technology.
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Aerospace & Defence
Reliable PCBs for mission-critical applications.
Benefits of Choosing First Choice Assembly for your PCBs
- High-Speed, Automated PCB Assembly: Advanced equipment for fast and precise component placement.
- Customisable Solutions: We tailor PCB assembly to meet specific project requirements.
- Quality Assurance: 100% inspection with AOI and functional testing.
- Scalable Production: From low-volume prototypes to high-volume manufacturing.
- Cost-Effective Services: Optimised supply chain to reduce costs without compromising quality.
- UK and Ireland: All our assembly takes place in the UK and Ireland for quick turnover.
Testing Methods for Printed Circuit Board Assemblies
Testing is essential to verify that each pcb circuit board assembly performs correctly. We offer:
- In-Circuit Testing (ICT), which checks individual components and connections on the board.
- Functional Testing, where the assembled PCB is tested under real operating conditions to confirm its performance.
By combining different methods, we ensure every pc board assembly is delivered free from defects.
Components: Supplied or Sourced?
A common question is whether customers must supply components for assembly PCB projects. At First Choice Assembly, we can work either way. Clients may supply components if preferred, or we can manage procurement through trusted suppliers. This flexibility simplifies the pcb production and assembly process for many businesses.
PCB Design and Assembly Services
We provide not only pcb assembly service but also pcb design & assembly support. This enables customers to bring new concepts to life, with our engineers ensuring the design is optimised for manufacturability and cost-effectiveness. Having a partner that can handle both pcb fab and assembly shortens lead times and reduces the risk of design-related issues.
Why Choose First Choice Assembly for Printed Circuit Board Assembly?
Choosing the right partner for printed circuit assembly is crucial. We combine technical expertise, advanced equipment and strict quality control to deliver high quality PCB assembly for industries where reliability cannot be compromised.
Our experience spans industrial control PCB assembly, medical PCB assembly and flexible PCB assembly. With an emphasis on consistency, accuracy and service, we are one of the best PCB assembly companies in the UK for clients who require assembled printed circuit boards that meet demanding standards.
We are more than just a PCB assembly factory, we are a trusted partner who understands the importance of precision, compliance and communication. Whether you require a prototype, a low volume run or full scale production, First Choice Assembly provides a PCB assembly service that delivers on time and to specification.
From Concept to Completion
At First Choice Assembly, we support your project every step of the way. Our skilled team collaborates with you to transform initial ideas into detailed designs, ensuring each PCB meets precise specifications. We handle material sourcing, prototyping, and full-scale assembly in-house, guaranteeing quality and efficiency at every stage.
With rigorous testing and lifetime assurance on all products, we deliver reliable solutions that meet industry standards and bring your vision to life.
Enquire now about PCBs
Full Turnkey Solutions
First Choice Assembly offers complete end-to-end PCB solutions, handling everything from design and sourcing to assembly, ensuring a seamless, efficient process for clients.
Ensuring Quality in PCB Assembly
Quality is fundamental in the pcb assembly industry. At First Choice Assembly we work to IPC standards for pcb assembly, which define best practices for soldering, cleanliness, component placement and acceptance criteria. This ensures our clients receive only high quality pcb fabrication and assembly.
We apply process controls at every stage, from incoming material checks to final functional testing. Our BSI ISO9001:2015 quality management system provides complete traceability, giving clients confidence in both the product and the process.
Check our Certificates
Functional Testing & Quality Assurance
We conduct functional testing to ensure that PCBs perform correctly under real-world conditions. Our quality management system, certified to ISO 9001:2015, guarantees consistent high-quality production.
Our Commitment:
ISO 9001:2015 Certified: We adhere to the highest quality standards.
Lifetime Warranty: We stand by our products with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects.
Flexible Partnership: Whether you need a one-off prototype or full-scale production, we support your needs.
Bespoke Design In-House
First Choice Assembly’s expert team provides custom PCB designs tailored to unique project specifications, bringing flexibility and precision to every build.
Lifetime Assurance
Our commitment to value is backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Underscoring our commitment to quality and providing long-term reliability for all manufactured products.
Helping our partners to produce cost effective quality products.
Experience, reliability and quality.
At First Choice Assembly we specialise in the manufacture and assembly of printed circuit boards for a wide range of applications. We manufacture surface mounted printed circuit boards, conventional or hybrid PCBs, all made to our partners specification.
Here at First Choice Assembly we have 30 years experience of PCB assembly and manufacturing and within this time we have dealt with and supplied printed circuit boards to a large number of industry sectors
