Henway Technologies helps teams go from idea → production-ready PCB with an end-to-end, engineer-led process: discovery, free feasibility, schematic & layout, DFM/DFT, prototyping & validation, and a clean handoff to repeatable manufacturing (5–5,000 units).
1) Initial Discovery & Requirements Review (Start with a Call)
Start with a conversation. You don’t need to assemble files before contacting us. We hop on a quick phone call to understand what you do (and don’t) have, then we guide you on what’s needed for a quote and development plan. After that call, we connect you directly with an engineer to scope timeline, SOW, and budget. (Discovery is included in our quoting flow.)
If you do have files later, we accept your SOW, delivery schedule, block diagrams, and any work you’ve started and need help finishing, and we’ll normalize mixed file sets into a single source of truth document called a project requirements document PRD.
What we clarify in discovery: function, environment, power, size, performance targets, compliance risks, test goals, and schedule/volume expectations (e.g., pilot vs. production).
2) Free Feasibility & Design Assessment
You get a free feasibility assessment (typically ~2 hours) to map risks and produce a lightweight roadmap: likely design path, early issue flags, and suggested validation plan. It’s a quick path to “what will it take” before committing to a project.
3) Schematic Capture & Circuit Design
Our engineers convert your functional concept into well-structured schematics using your preferred toolchain (Altium, KiCad, Eagle) and best practices to support manufacturability, reliability, and long-term support. Deliverables include native engineering files, BOM, firmware, and instructions for compiling and setting up your device. All files belong to you. We don’t keep any of your IP.
4) PCB Layout & Routing (In-House)
We translate schematics into a production-friendly layout with the right layer count, trace widths/clearances, placement, and keep-outs, optimizing for signal integrity, EMI, thermal, and assembly efficiency (panelization, fiducials, rails).
5) Design for Manufacturability (DFM) & Design for Test (DFT)
Built in for production-bound programs. We review sourcing risk (BOM alternates, lifecycle), assembly access (minimizing hand ops), tolerances, labeling/serialization, and test coverage. Early DFM/DFT reduces cost, increases yield, and shortens the path to scale. Advanced production requirements are available upon request.
6) Prototype Build & Validation
We produce small runs for bring-up and validation (standard 2–3 weeks, with ~1-week expedites often possible). We include AOI by default, and we subsidize quick programming/functional checks (often ~1–2 minutes per unit at no charge in low volume). Need deeper coverage? We’ll design the test, create custom firmware to exercise subsystems, and build fixtures when appropriate (typical NRE starting at ≈ $4k+).
Prototype packages include: test instructions, a validation checklist, and version-controlled hardware/firmware so changes are traceable from day one.
7) Final Adjustments & Production Prep
Based on prototype results, we capture edits and lock down:
- BOM, fab/assembly drawings, panel notes
- Programming files, test procedures, and pass/fail criteria
- Revision control across hardware and firmware
This creates a repeatable baseline for manufacturing and future ECOs.
8) Ready for Manufacturing (5–5,000 Units)
With documentation locked, we move into small-batch or higher-volume production. We support SMT/THT, BGA/uBGA, fine-pitch down to 01005, selective soldering, conformal coating, programming, functional test, and light box builds—onshore with ISO-aligned quality, IPC-A-610 workmanship, AOI standard, and CoC/traceability included.
Typical small/growth runs ship in 2–3 weeks; larger releases can be scheduled and partial-shipped to hit pilot or install dates.
Our Full In-House Scope (Concept → Scale)
- Project planning & SOW, schematic, BOM, PCB layout, firmware, PCBA prototyping, PCBA production, and light box assembly (5–5,000 units).
- Testing: AOI standard; subsidized programming/functional checks; custom fixtures available.
- Data formats: Gerbers, ODB++, IPC-2581, Altium/KiCad/Eagle
- Quality: IPC-A-610 workmanship, ISO-aligned processes; ESD packaging, CoC, lot labels/serialization.
Typical Path & Timeline
A common journey (complexity-dependent):
- PRD (what we’re making and how we’ll make it)
- Hardware development (schematic → layout)
- Prototype build (PCB Assembly)
- Block testing / validation (bring-up & validation)
- MVP firmware → application firmware
- Finalize manufacturing files & test
- Production (5–5,000)
Many projects reach first prototypes in under 4 months, then go production-ready after 1–2 spins. Actual timelines depend on complexity, compliance needs, and component risk. For manufacturing, 2–3 weeks is our standard small-run lead time with expedites often possible.
FAQs (Concept → Manufacturable PCB)
Q: What should I send if I only have an idea? A: Just call us first. We’ll ask the right questions and follow up with any requested artifacts (sketches, photos, block diagrams, constraints).
Q: Do you handle schematic and layout in-house? A: Yes—plus firmware, test development, prototyping, and production (5–5,000 units).
Q: Do you work with existing/unfinished engineering files? A: Yes – We can take you from any starting point to any finishing point.
Q: How many prototype iterations are typical? A: Often 1–2 spins before locking production, depending on complexity and regulatory requirements.
Q: What’s the average timeline to a ready-to-manufacture board? A: Project-dependent. Many teams reach first prototypes in under 4 months, then finalize after 1–2 revisions; manufacturing lead time for small/growth runs is 2–3 weeks (expedites often possible).