Our process
From your idea
to delivered boards
A 6-step process designed so that you always know exactly where you stand — from the first conversation to the delivery of your boards.
A partner, not a supplier
At Codium, the design office and production are under one roof. The engineer who designs your board is the same one who oversees its manufacture. That changes everything: fewer back-and-forths, fewer errors, fewer lost days.
The 6 steps
Getting in touch
It all starts with a direct first conversation with the team — no form, no salesperson. We talk about your project, your technical constraints, your volumes and your lead times. Exchanges are smooth and quick: you have a technical contact from the outset, able to assess feasibility and scope the project with you.
- Your idea or functional need
- Your constraints (size, power consumption, budget)
- Estimated annual volume
- Assesses technical feasibility
- Identifies potential risks
- Defines the project scope
Costing & quotation
We analyse your project in detail: if you already have files (Gerber, BOM, schematic), we review them. Otherwise, we start from scratch. You receive a complete technical quotation — components, design office hours, production — with a clear provisional schedule.
- Existing files, if available
- Specification (even a partial one)
- Quotation approval and order
- Full technical analysis
- Sourcing of critical components
- Prepares the quotation and schedule
Design & prototyping
Our design office handles the complete design: electronic schematic, PCB layout, firmware development and, where needed, mechanical design. If your project requires it, this phase also includes integrating the board into its final enclosure, as well as packaging and marking. Once the design has been validated internally, we build a prototype on our production line. The prototype is tested electrically and functionally before being sent to you.
- Interim approvals (if needed)
- Feedback on key milestones
- Access to your test environment
- Schematic + PCB layout
- Firmware development
- Prototype manufacture and testing
Customer validation
You receive the prototype and test it in your own operating environment. This is the critical step: it is where we make sure the product meets your real need exactly. Your feedback is incorporated, and we iterate until we get the go-ahead to launch manufacturing.
- Tests in your real environment
- Precise feedback on points to correct
- Final approval (manufacturing go-ahead)
- Incorporates your feedback and corrections
- Carries out the necessary iterations
- Finalises the manufacturing file
Series production
Once we have received the go-ahead to launch manufacturing, our production line takes over. Automated SMT assembly, wave soldering or selective soldering, automated optical inspection (AOI), in-circuit testing (ICT) and final inspection. Every board is traced down to the component. You receive a production report at the end of the batch.
- The go-ahead to launch manufacturing
- Quantity confirmation
- Delivery address and instructions
- SMT assembly + soldering
- AOI, ICT and functional tests
- Component-by-component traceability
Delivery & follow-up
Boards are shipped from Langres with a tracking number. You receive a complete production report: quantities produced, test results, components used. Our team remains available for post-delivery questions and works with you to plan the next series.
- Receipt and inspection of the boards
- Field feedback
- Planning of the next series
- Secure shipping with tracking
- Complete production report
- Follow-up and post-delivery availability
Lead times at a glance
These lead times are indicative ranges. A simple project can go faster; a complex one (multilayer, RF, CE certification) takes longer. We set a precise schedule at the quotation stage.
For a precise analysis of your project → see the Lead times & capacity page
You don't need to be
an electronics expert
Many of our customers come with an idea and a functional need, and that is enough. Here is what each party contributes on a typical project.
- Your idea or functional need
- Constraints: size, temperature, battery life, budget
- Estimated volume (pre-series / series)
- Your existing files, if you have any
- Approvals at key project milestones
- Your availability for technical discussions
- Schematic and PCB layout
- Component selection and sourcing
- Embedded firmware development
- Manufacturing on our in-house production line
- Electrical, AOI, ICT and functional tests
- CE / RED file if required
What you can expect
Frequently asked questions
The questions our customers ask most often before getting started.
Do I have to supply the manufacturing files?
No, it is not mandatory. Codium can take care of everything from A to Z: you bring your functional need, we design the board.
If you already have files (Gerber, BOM, KiCad or Altium schematic), we can start from your existing base. This is often faster and cheaper.
Is there a minimum order volume?
There is no imposed minimum volume and no ceiling. Our line is calibrated to be competitive on projects of 1,000 to 5,000 boards per year per project — the core SME/mid-cap target. We also produce prototypes (a few dozen boards) and series well beyond 10,000 boards/year.
For unusual projects (very small or very large volumes), contact us directly: we assess each case individually.
What happens if the prototype doesn't work?
A prototype that needs corrections is perfectly normal — that is precisely what a prototype is for. We iterate until it is fully validated.
Minor corrections (component values, firmware) are included in our process. For major design changes, an additional quotation is submitted to you before any action is taken.
Do you offer CE certification?
Yes. Codium supports you with CE marking, in particular the RED directive (radio equipment) and the EMC directive. We carry out pre-compliance tests in-house and prepare the complete technical file.
Final tests in an accredited laboratory are carried out with a trusted partner. We support you throughout the process.
How is progress tracked during production?
You receive a progress update at each important milestone: launch, mid-production, end of testing. If you have a question or something unexpected comes up, your contact reaches out to you directly.
At the end of production, you receive a complete report: quantities produced, test results, components used and batch numbers.
Can I order without going through the design office stage?
Yes. If you have a complete, validated manufacturing file (Gerber, BOM, assembly instructions, test procedures), Codium can handle production only.
We first review your file to confirm that it is complete and consistent with our equipment.
Ready to start your project?
A 30-minute conversation is enough to assess feasibility and give you a first estimate. Free, no commitment.