Why are testing and R&D essential to combat printed circuit board manufacturing challenges? Speaking to EFY’s Nitisha Dubey, Vijai Karthick Selvam, Director of Teqtis, said everything on PCB prototyping and their expertise.
Q. Could you elaborate on Teqtis and its unique offerings?
A. I started Teqtis in October 2020 after leaving my previous job at a US-based company. Since its inception, our company has been operating independently. We specialise in electronics, such as printed circuit board (PCB) product development. We do everything from the initial concept to the final box build when a customer provides a concept or requirement. This includes hardware design, PCB layout, firmware development, and PCB prototyping (fabrication, assembly, component sourcing and testing). We also support PCB enclosures, ensuring a complete product cycle for our clients. However, our primary focus remains on R&D and prototyping. We partner with reliable third-party manufacturers for bulk production to meet the demands across various sectors like EV, automotive, agriculture, telecommunications, medical, and consumer electronics.
Q. How do you tailor EV product development to client specifications?
A. In product development, especially for sectors like EV, clients often require new onboard chargers or DC-to-DC converters tailored to their specific needs. For instance, if a client requests a DC-to-DC converter with a specification of 110 to 48 volts, we develop the product based on these requirements, conduct thorough testing, and provide the necessary enclosure.
Q. What steps do you take to confirm the feasibility and quality of your PCB projects?
A. First, we assess the project’s feasibility to determine if our team can complete it. If so, we provide a quotation. Once the order is endorsed, we prepare a project flow (scope of work) and get confirmation from the client. We then find major components for engineering validation. We conduct thorough testing and share a video demonstrating whether the customer’s requirements have been met.
Q. What are your delivery timelines for single-sided and double-sided PCBs?
A. When it comes to PCB fabrication, we offer deliveries with standard, fast and superfast speeds based on the type and quantity. For instance, single-sided PCBs are delivered in two to four business days, while double-sided PCBs take seven to ten working days. The delivery schedule depends on the project’s complexity for bulk orders, such as 500 or 1,000 units. Typically, for 500 double-sided PCBs, we require 15 to 18 working days. However, if there is an urgent need, we can expedite the process and deliver in as little as ten working days.
Q. How do you tailor your services to meet the varying needs of your clients?
A. We have partnered with 5 to 6 companies for PCB fabrication and have reached over 100 clients. Some clients contact us solely for PCB design, while others require only fabrication and assembly. We provide customised production support and R&D services to meet each of their unique needs.
Q. What are the key steps in your PCB design, testing, and validation process?
A. Before proceeding to the layout, we work on the proof of concept (POC). Once the concept is validated through breadboard testing, we move to the design stage, creating and testing each layer. The board bring-up test starts with the power section to ensure its functioning correctly, followed by testing the entire circuit. The next stage involves firmware-related testing and developing the final design. We perform engineering validation to confirm the PCB meets all requirements at each phase. Once satisfied, we provide the design to our clients for further testing in their end products. If any modifications are needed, we update the design accordingly. If no changes are required, we move to bulk production.
Q. How do you price your PCB services?
A. Sometimes, clients approach us solely for fabrication or production, while others seek development services. We obtain cost estimates based on circuit complexity, board shape and schedule.
Q. What are your sampling and bulk production processes for PCB orders?
A. For sampling, we typically produce 2 to 10 units with dimensions of 200 by 100. These samples are tested and delivered to the client. There are two options for bulk orders: we either conduct the testing in-house or handle the fabrication and deliver the units to the client for testing at their site. The order quantity can range from 100 to 500 units, depending on the client’s requirements. We support various quantities, sometimes as low as 50 units and up to 1000 to 2000 units. If a customer needs more than 1000 units, we can manage the increased demand accordingly.
Q. What are your plans and timeline for establishing your manufacturing facility?
A. We have discussed plans with investors to start our manufacturing facility, which is part of our long-term strategy. Establishing this facility in Chennai is possible, but it will take some time to finalise. We are also engaging with the Tamil Nadu government, having already approached them to discuss our ideas and explore potential support and collaboration.
Q. In your opinion, what is the most critical aspect of electronics design and manufacturing?
A. Testing is crucial because a product’s success hinges on it. Currently, there are challenges in the testing phase. When developing a circulator based on theoretical concepts, unexpected outcomes can occur during testing. For example, critical projects achieving only 60% to 70% of the desired results are common, necessitating the identification and rectification of issues to improve from 70% to 100%. In the first stage of testing, if achieving 100% success is not feasible, feedback is collected to understand the shortcomings. This feedback is then used in subsequent revisions. The next iteration incorporates these insights to achieve the desired 100% result. This is the standard procedure for testing.
Q. How do you identify and resolve underperforming sections in testing?
A. That is the main challenge. When the testing results are underperforming, achieving only 70% of the desired outcome, it poses a significant issue. The remaining 30% requires identifying which specific areas are not functioning properly. For example, there may be four or five actions in the market. It is necessary to determine which section is failing. To resolve the issue, a solid solution must be found. Only then can we achieve 100% success.
Q. How do you troubleshoot and resolve issues in specific circuit sections?
A. The goal is to meet our requirements by resolving the issue. If one board is not functioning, such as the buzzer not working, we analyse the circuit to determine why the buzzer is failing. We check for any improperly monitored components or disconnected relays at that location. We add test points in the circuit at each stage, dividing the circuit into 10 to 15 sections. If one stage, say section four, functions correctly but the next stage, section five, does not, identifying the issue within that specific section is focused upon. We then replace components or add alternatives as needed.
Q. Is this process carried out manually or with a machine?
A. It is done manually because we use tools like oscilloscopes, variac, microscope, multimeter, clamp meter, LCR meter, resistive load, DC digital load, and power supplies only to support modelling. At the same time, the actual testing is performed manually.
Q. Do you rely on automated ICT (in-circuit testing) for bulk production, or is manual testing sufficient for your needs?
A. It is available in the market, but we do not have it. It is primarily used for bulk production, where they use ICT testing for in-circuit testing in EMS units. After each board’s testing and integration, an automatic, fully automated machine ensures everything works fine. However, such automation is not necessary for sampling.
Q. How much time have you spent on R&D?
A. Sometimes, a big project takes two to three months, but it can range from three to six months for a single project. The duration of a venture depends on its complexity, with larger projects requiring more time. However, for less complex works, the timeline might be as short as one week to ten days.
Q. How do you manage focus across diverse domains?
A. We are not solely focused on electric vehicles. As a service-based company, our focus spans multiple domains. While we do significant work in the automotive and diesel sectors, especially since these areas are currently booming, we also take on projects in other fields, such as medical and mechanical, depending on the requirements.
Q. Where are your major vendors located?
A. In India, we have around 30 to 50 vendors, with major ones in Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Q. Are you currently seeking any new vendors or partners?
A. It depends on our existing vendors. If they can meet our inquiries, we work with them. We seek out new vendors only when we lack the necessary materials.
Q. How do you determine which vendor is the best fit for your company?
A. I first consider how quickly they respond to our queries. That is the initial factor, followed by comparing their pricing. For example, we compare prices from three to five different vendors. We do not just look at the list price; we also consider the vendor’s background, how long they have been in business, location, and response time. We check market reviews and feedback from similar companies, as they might suggest which vendors provide good support. We also conduct trial inquiries to evaluate their quality and timeliness. If a vendor meets our standards, we continue working with them. However, if we encounter issues, we switch to a different vendor.
Q. How do you evaluate vendor schedules and conditions before ordering?
A. When we receive inquiries, we evaluate whether the vendor’s estimated schedule and conditions align with our needs. If they do, we place the order. Currently, we are primarily handling testing in-house. Fabrication and assembly are managed internally, while testing is the only aspect we have not fully integrated yet.
Q. Since 2020, how has your strategy and your business evolved?
A. We started our company around the time of the second lockdown. In the first six months, we focused on building our foundation. By July of that year, we launched our first business product, initially catering exclusively to US-based clients. Over the past two years, we have shifted our focus to local domestic clients. This strategy has been fruitful, and there has been a significant increase in our targets, achieving a 30 to 50% growth compared to last year.
Q. Can you discuss your recent fiscal growth and future expectations?
A. Last year, we achieved a 50% rise, and this year, we are targeting the percentage to be 100. There has been a 20% to 30% growth compared to the first year, and this year, we aim for an additional 20% to 30% increase.
