PCB Services
PCB Prototype Manufacturer
Fast-turn prototypes in 3-7 days with production-grade quality.
PCB prototyping is the bridge between design and validation — the first physical boards that confirm whether the circuit works as simulated, the mechanical fit matches the enclosure design, and the manufacturing construction is feasible at production scale. Getting prototypes fast and right is critical because every day waiting for boards is a day the product schedule slips. AstroPCB delivers prototype PCBs in 3-7 business days with the same manufacturing process and quality standards used for production boards.
Why prototype quality matters
A prototype built with different materials, looser tolerances or simplified construction than the production board does not actually validate the design. If the prototype uses standard FR-4 but production will use Megtron 6 for signal integrity, the prototype cannot verify channel performance. If the prototype uses larger drill sizes than production, it cannot verify routing density and via reliability. AstroPCB builds prototypes with production materials, production tolerances and production processes so the prototype results predict production behavior.
Prototype capabilities
Layer count from 1 to 40+ layers. All standard and specialty materials (FR-4, Rogers, PTFE, Megtron, polyimide, ceramic, metal core). HDI with microvias and sequential lamination. Rigid-flex construction. Controlled impedance with TDR verification. Heavy copper up to 10 oz. All surface finishes. Every construction type available for production is available for prototypes — there is no separate “prototype line” with limited capabilities.
Turnaround times
Standard prototype turnaround is 5-7 business days for conventional multilayer boards (up to 8 layers on standard FR-4). Expedited service delivers in 3-5 business days with priority scheduling. Complex constructions (HDI, rigid-flex, specialty materials) require additional time depending on the specific construction — the engineering team confirms the achievable schedule during quotation. Rush prototypes for time-critical projects are accommodated when production scheduling permits.
DFM review included
Every prototype order includes a DFM review before fabrication begins. The engineering team examines the design for manufacturability issues and communicates findings before committing the design to production. This review catches problems that would otherwise appear as fabrication defects or yield losses — saving the time and cost of a second prototype spin. For designs in early development, submit the design for DFM review before finalizing the layout to get manufacturing feedback while changes are still easy.
From prototype to production
When the prototype is validated, transitioning to production is seamless — the same factory, same process and same engineering team that built the prototype scales up for production quantities. There is no re-qualification, no new vendor setup and no risk that the production boards will differ from the validated prototype. Panelization is optimized for production quantities to reduce per-board cost, but the individual board construction is identical.
Request a prototype quote
Upload your Gerber files, drill data and fabrication specification. Indicate the quantity, target delivery date and any special requirements. The engineering team will DFM-review the design and return a quotation within one business day.