For Contract Electronics Manufacturers (CEMs), the stakes have never been higher. You are balancing high-mix production schedules, stringent OEM specifications, and the constant pressure to reduce cycle times—all while maintaining zero-defect quality. In this environment, selecting a conformal coating is not simply a purchasing decision; it is a strategic engineering choice that impacts your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and long-term reliability.

The printed circuit board industry is rapidly evolving. Components are getting smaller, densities are increasing, and operating environments are becoming harsher. Consequently, the "one-size-fits-all" approach to coating is obsolete. To succeed, manufacturers must look beyond the price per liter and evaluate the technical depth, process compatibility, and on-site support of their supplier.

In electronics manufacturing, conformal coating protects printed circuit boards (PCBs) from moisture, dust, corrosive gases, and condensation. Yet while the benefits are well understood, the hidden costs tied to masking and rework can significantly erode a manufacturer’s bottom line.

Masking connectors, sockets, and keep-out zones is time-consuming, and reworking boards with coating defects consumes material, labor, and production capacity. For many assemblers, masking and rework represent the single largest share of conformal coating process cost. The good news: with better coating material selection and application process optimization, these costs can be dramatically reduced—without sacrificing protection or reliability.

→ Estimate process savings with the Conformal Coating Calculator