Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about BSU's PCB assembly, quality and testing, component sourcing, engineering support, pricing, and compliance. Don't see your question? Contact our team.

Company Positioning & Capabilities

BSU specializes in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, supporting both prototype and production builds, along with cable and wire harness assemblies and box builds. The company focuses on delivering reliable, high-quality assemblies across a range of industries.

We build for aerospace, space and defense; autonomous vehicles and transportation; underwater vessels; robotics; semiconductor equipment; and industrial and energy systems. We also build electronics for medical devices on request. The team is experienced in handling varying levels of complexity and regulatory requirements.

Yes, on request. We build medical device PCB assemblies, cables and box builds to IPC standards under our ISO 9001 quality system. BSU is not ISO 13485 certified, so if your program requires it, tell us early and we’ll talk through what we can support.

BSU is based in Austin, Texas, and supports customers nationwide and internationally.

BSU emphasizes quality, responsiveness, and close customer collaboration. The company focuses on reliable builds, transparent communication, and tailored solutions based on customer requirements.

We operate as both — offering support from prototyping through full production, plus supply chain sourcing and coordination.

PCB Assembly & Manufacturing

BSU provides surface mount (SMT), through-hole, and mixed-technology PCB assembly services, supporting a wide range of product designs and complexities.

Yes. BSU supports both low-volume prototyping and scalable production runs, so customers can move from development to full production with the same partner.

BSU supports a wide range of PCB sizes and complexities, including standard rigid boards, multi-layer boards, densely populated assemblies, Flex, and Rigid-Flex. At the component level, we routinely handle BGAs, micro-BGAs, 0201 and 01005 passives, and a wide variety of press-fit components.

Quotes take 3–5 business days. Typical delivery is 2–6 weeks, Rev A/B turns take days when parts are available, and partial and rush options are available. Lead times vary with complexity and material availability.

BSU builds to IPC-A-610 for acceptability of electronic assemblies, along with J-STD-001 for soldering workmanship.

BSU works with RoHS and leaded solder, in both clean and no-clean processes, as well as high-temp and low-temp alloys. Additional customer-specified materials are supported with engineering-led profiling.

Quality, Testing & Reliability

BSU is ISO 9001 certified, ITAR registered with the U.S. Department of State (DDTC), and working toward CMMC Level 2, targeted Q1 2027. Boards are built to IPC-A-610 and IPC J-STD-001, and cables to IPC/WHMA-A-620, with Class 3 builds available.

Not yet. BSU operates an ISO 9001 certified quality system, builds to IPC Class 3 for mission-critical programs, and is ITAR registered, with ITAR work overseen by our lead compliance engineer. Many new-space, drone and defense-tech teams qualify us on that basis plus a first article build. If your program flows down AS9100 as a hard requirement, tell us early and we'll walk you through how we meet the underlying controls.

Yes. BSU has held BSI ISO 9001:2015 certification since July 2020 (certificate FM 719411), covering the manufacturing of electronic assemblies for commercial and vertical markets. BSU passed its recertification audit in April 2026 with no major nonconformities; the certificate was issued on July 9, 2026 and is valid to July 8, 2029.

Every order goes through six controlled steps, each with defined checks and records: order review, procure and receive, build, in-process inspection, final inspection, and audit and ship. Station work instructions, signed travelers, calibrated tools and a logged ESD and climate program apply across every step. See our Quality & Compliance page for detail.

Yes. BSU has held IPC-A-610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 certifications since 2024, with an in-house Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) and Certified IPC Specialists (CIS) for each, plus IPC-7711/7721 rework certification.

BSU utilizes Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), Solder Paste Inspection (SPI), X-ray inspection, and flying probe testing to verify assembly quality and detect defects.

Yes, functional testing and custom test solutions can be supported based on customer requirements and product specifications.

Every nonconformance and customer return gets a written corrective and preventive action (CAPA) report, with containment within 24 hours and root cause within 5 days. Open actions are tracked to closure and reviewed at our quarterly management review.

BSU has kept lot and serial traceability for orders, components and assemblies in its E2 ERP system since 2018. Job folder packets carry the current drawing and BOM, and records are held against the serialized unit, not just the shop order.

Supply Chain & Component Sourcing

Both. BSU supports full turnkey sourcing as well as customer-supplied (consigned) components, depending on project needs.

BSU works with established suppliers and monitors availability to mitigate shortages, using alternative sourcing strategies when necessary.

Yes. BSU sources components through reputable, established distributors and follows standard practices to ensure authenticity and quality.

Yes — the majority of BSU's work is turnkey, covering procurement, assembly, and delivery, backed by a dedicated sourcing team with reach across the USA, Mexico, and Asia.

BSU works with established and trusted electronic component distributors to ensure reliable sourcing and quality.

Yes. Many of our customers have US-only or no-China sourcing requirements. Our team are experienced in managing these requests.

Engineering Support

Yes, engineering support is available to assist with design considerations, process optimization, and production readiness.

Yes. Please request this during the build phase, and BSU would be more than happy to review your design from a manufacturability standpoint.

Pricing, Lead Times & Engagement

Pricing depends on factors such as board complexity, component count, order volume, and sourcing requirements. Quotes are provided based on project specifics.

Typical delivery is 2–6 weeks, driven by assembly complexity and component procurement timelines. Partial and rush options are available.

There is no minimum order quantity. BSU builds single prototypes, NPI lots and production runs.

Risk, Compliance & Trust

Customer information and intellectual property are protected through strict confidentiality, controlled access, non-disclosure agreements, and secure internal processes. We partner with Compass MSP, a team of cybersecurity experts who help us maintain a monitored, hardened IT security posture. BSU is working toward CMMC Level 2, targeted Q1 2027. Together, these measures keep your designs, files, and technical data secure throughout every engagement.

Yes — references and examples of past work are available upon request, subject to customer confidentiality agreements.

BSU is working with an external IT provider to achieve CMMC Level 2 certification. The projected completion date is Q1 2027.

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