By adding PCB manufacturing and assembly to its established mechanical manufacturing capabilities, RapidDirect is expanding its support for hardware development from prototype to production
SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RapidDirect, a leading global provider of custom on-demand digital manufacturing, today announced the official launch of its new Printed Circuit Board (PCB) division. This strategic expansion empowers full-stack electromechanical development, accelerating product iteration cycles and enabling engineering and procurement teams to launch market-ready hardware faster and with fewer design conflicts.
How Separated Manufacturing Delays Hardware Development
Most hardware projects face delays due to separated manufacturing work. Engineers usually source mechanical housings and PCB electronics from different suppliers. This split process causes inconsistent design checks, mismatched parts and costly last-minute changes.
This common issue exists in traditional OEM and ODM models. OEM only builds parts based on finished customer designs, with no design support. ODM provides ready-made factory designs with little room for custom development. Neither model supports simultaneous electronic and mechanical updates, which often leads to the common issue where PCBs cannot fit device enclosures.
Modern hardware developers no longer need separate part production. They need unified design checks, synchronized manufacturing feedback and smooth iteration to avoid cross-supplier errors.
Unified PCB & Mechanical Manufacturing Workflow
RapidDirect now combines all core manufacturing services in one workflow, including PCB production, PCBA assembly, CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal and 3D printing. This unified system breaks electronic and mechanical processing barriers, enabling parallel design reviews, unified production checks and early fit testing.
Beyond standard manufacturing, RapidDirect offers professional ADM and JDM services for higher customization needs. Unlike passive OEM and ODM production, ADM optimizes your finished designs for better assembly and production. JDM supports full-cycle joint development, helping you refine product solutions, fix design flaws and finish mass-production-ready validation from the early stage.
For example, when developing wearable devices like neck massagers, our teams design and test plastic enclosures and internal PCBA boards at the same time. All ports, buttons and assembly structures are verified early, avoiding late-stage mismatches and cutting rework costs.
Expanding RapidDirect’s End-to-End Hardware Manufacturing Capabilities
“RapidDirect is moving beyond the role of a traditional parts supplier to become a true digital manufacturing partner,” said Leon Huang, CEO of RapidDirect. “Our goal is to make increasingly complex hardware programs easier to execute as mechanical and electronic requirements become more closely connected.”
Core Integrated Electromechanical Advantages
- Full Electromechanical Process Coverage
We combine full mechanical and electronic manufacturing capabilities, supporting seamless hardware development from prototyping to mass production. - Unified BOM & AI DFM Synchronization
Unified BOM management and AI-powered DFM reviews synchronize mechanical and electronic design checks, spotting fit and manufacturing risks early. - Synchronized Cross-process Quality Validation
Unified quality and assembly standards apply to all components. Continuous cross-process verification ensures perfect electromechanical compatibility and stable product quality.
Strategic Benefits
- Reduced Coordination Complexity:
Fewer supplier handoffs simplify communication across enclosure, PCB, and assembly requirements. - Centralized Project Coordination:
Gives engineering and procurement teams a single point of contact for requirements, quality, and delivery. - Earlier Fit Validation:
Enclosure and PCBA checks can take place before later production commitments, giving teams more room to resolve interface changes while they are still easier to address.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What specific PCB services does RapidDirect now offer?
A: The new PCB division offers full-spectrum capabilities including rapid PCB prototyping, rigid/flexible circuit manufacturing, high-precision PCBA assembly and system-level electromechanical fit testing, fully matching mechanical customization services.
Q: At what stage can RapidDirect support PCB-integrated hardware projects?
A: It supports two core cooperation modes: ADM design optimization for finished customer drawings and JDM full-lifecycle co-development from product definition. It intervenes in early design review to unify electromechanical standards and avoid subsequent structural conflicts.
Q: How does RapidDirect manage quality across PCB and mechanical components?
A: RapidDirect applies quality control across both electronic and mechanical production. PCB and PCBA inspection can include AOI, X-ray testing, burn-in testing, and functional verification, while mechanical components undergo dimensional and specification checks, helping ensure component quality and assembly compatibility.
About RapidDirect
RapidDirect is a China leader in custom on-demand manufacturing, combining high-quality production capabilities with an intelligent, AI-driven digital supply chain. Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, RapidDirect has manufactured millions of parts across the aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer electronics industries. With expanded capabilities across mechanical and electronic manufacturing, RapidDirect helps engineering and procurement teams streamline product development and hardware sourcing.
For more information, visit www.rapiddirect.com.
Media Contact
Sam
Head of Marketing & Strategy
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/876a7a79-1ddb-47fa-8042-51ee532cddb1
