Quantum Opus is a Michigan-based manufacturer of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), supporting cutting-edge quantum research. As a high-tech startup, their pace demands fast, high-quality prototyping and dependable PCB assembly.
Before working with MacroFab, Quantum Opus relied on a long-standing supplier until quality issues and missed deadlines started to risk their product reliability. Defects buried inside PCBs couldn’t be fixed post-production, and promised lead times often extended by weeks, stalling critical workstreams.
“We had boards delayed for several months. That’s too long in our world.” — Lily Forsythe, Engineer at Quantum Opus
The team also found other vendors' quoting and ordering processes clunky and inconsistent, draining valuable engineering time.
After evaluating multiple alternatives, MacroFab stood out for three key reasons:
Trusted Build Quality: No more buried defects or compromised yield.
Workflow Simplicity: Their all-in-one digital platform, Fab IQ, streamlined quoting, layer verification, and BOM integration.
Rapid Transition: Quantum Opus shifted vendors seamlessly, with minimal ramp-up required.
MacroFab’s AI-driven platform allowed Lily to upload a single ODB++ file, automatically extracting BOM and pick-and-place data which eliminated a tedious step she previously spent hours on, while real-time visualizations of every PCB layer ensured precision before production.
“I stopped making component placement files entirely for MacroFab. They already have everything they need. And it's never been wrong.”
In addition, MacroFab’s customer service made an impression, not just in responsiveness but in technical fluency.
“It’s easy to get help without a phone call. And when you do, they immediately know who can fix your issue.”
When asked to describe MacroFab in just three words, Lily’s answer reflected the experience Quantum Opus has had across every production run with MacroFab.
With MacroFab’s transparent pricing curves, on-demand quoting, and reorder-friendly platform, Quantum Opus has begun shifting from reactive sourcing to proactive production planning. The ability to visualize pricing trends based on quantity and lead time has empowered their team to make smarter trade-offs enabling them to balance speed, cost, and component availability with greater confidence.
Additionally, by centralizing their design files and order history in a single digital workspace, Quantum Opus is laying the groundwork for scalable, team-wide hardware operations. Engineers and operations staff alike can now access builds, review visual board data, and place reorders without needing to start from scratch or rely on tribal knowledge.
Advice from Quantum Opus
For teams juggling scientific precision, short lead time requirements, and small-batch agility, MacroFab’s digital manufacturing platform delivers a rare trifecta: reliability, usability, and visibility.
MacroFab doesn’t just simplify PCB assembly—it empowers teams to move faster with fewer risks.
Whether you're validating a prototype or scaling a production run, MacroFab gives engineering teams back their most valuable resource: time.