White Paper

How to Evaluate PCB Automation Partners Without Getting Burned

The PCB automation market has exploded with vendors promising transformative results—but most evaluation frameworks haven't kept pace. This playbook examines the critical differentiators between automation approaches, from scalability architectures to iteration methodologies. Through structured benchmarking criteria and side-by-side comparisons, readers gain a clear framework for assessing which solutions deliver genuine operational value versus those offering incremental improvements. Published by Quilter, this guide distills lessons from hundreds of R&D team evaluations into actionable selection criteria.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the five non-negotiable capabilities that separate true automation from assisted design tools
  • Learn how to benchmark iteration speed, scalability limits, and integration complexity across competing platforms
  • Discover which evaluation metrics predict long-term ROI versus those that only demonstrate short-term gains
  • Identify red flags in vendor claims and the specific proof points that validate autonomous workflow capabilities
  • See how leading R&D teams structure pilot programs to validate automation partners before full commitment

How to Evaluate PCB Automation Partners Without Getting Burned