FAQ
PCB Manufacturing FAQs:
2.Which type of PCB boards do you manufacture?
We specialize in a wide range of PCB segments such as single-sided PCBs, double-sided PCBs, multilayer PCBs, Rigid PCBs, Flexible PCBs and Rigid-flex PCBs.
4.Do you have minimum order quantity (MOQ) for PCB production?
Yes, PCB production MOQ is 5pcs.
5.Do you provide Free PCB Samples?
yes, we provide Free PCB samples, and the qty is no more than 5pcs. But we need to charge the samples first, and return the PCB sample cost in your mass production if your sample order value not more than mass production value’s 1%.
6.Are all of your PCBs RoHS compliant?
Yes, we don’t provide leaded PCBs for environmental protection and corporate social responsibility. All of our materials, chemicals and processes are RoHS compliant. For HASL surface finish, we only provide lead-free HASL.
7.What are your capacities of PCB fabrication?
We have capacities for manufacturing most of custom PCBs and we list our PCB manufacturing capacities for all kind PCBs we can fabricate on our website. If you don’t understand them, or if your PCB board requires special processing or you are not sure whether we have the capacities to fabricate, please contact us.
8.How can I get a quick quote?
We only provide quick quote through manual review, which can ensure the quote and lead time are accurate. The PCB quick quote can be sent in 12 hours. In the file reviewing stage, our engineer will do DFM Check, may feedback whether the PCB design is manufacturable, or whether our manufacturing capacities are able to manufacture this circuit board. But please send files with format we support, PCB spec and quantity together.
9.What preparations do you take before PCB production?
We only provide quick quote through manual review, which can ensure the quote and lead time are accurate. The PCB quick quote can be sent in 12 hours. In the file reviewinThe preparations includes (1) Issuing Engineering Questions if have, and solving them together with you. (2) making working Gerber of your design. (3) panelizing your design in a working set, and panelizing your working set into a big manufacturing panel with or without other design sets. (4) making manufacturing instruction (MI). (5) printing films of circuitry of each copper layer, solder mask of each layer, silkscreen of each layer, and other preparations. Of course, some of these preparations have time sequence, and others can be done in the same time. In a word, this is a time costly process.g stage, our engineer will do DFM Check, may feedback whether the PCB design is manufacturable, or whether our manufacturing capacities are able to manufacture this circuit board. But please send files with format we support, PCB spec and quantity together.
10.How to count the lead time of PCB fabrication?
PCB order no matter in normal turnaround or quick-turn, the lead time will be counted after all of the preparations of PCB fabrication done. For normal turnaround orders, count from the 2nd day as the first day. For quick-turn orders, count from the 9th hours as the first hour.
11.Why need panelize your PCB board?
Panelization is required when your PCB size is small, or your PCB in any shapes other than rectangle, your PCB board will be panelized in a manufacturing work set. You can pre-panelize your PCB board in your side, or ask us to panelize for you. If panel working gerber prepared well, we will send back to you for manufacturing approval. Besides, PCB panel will improve SMT efficiency compare to do SMT on each single individual board.
12.Why need to add break-away tabs?
If the clearance between the PCB board’s edge and copper features is less than 3.5mm (138mil), or your PCB boards need to be panelized for some reasons, Break-away tabs must be added at the two longer paralleled edges on your PCB design to ensure the PCBs can be doing SMT assembly.
PCB Assembly FAQs:
2. What is Centroid file (Pick and Place file)?
A: Centroid file is also called pick and place file. This data, including X, Y, rotation, side of board (to or bottom component side) and reference designator, can be read by the SMT or thru-hole assembly machines.
3. Do you provide prototype PCB assembly (low volume) with MOQ?
Yes, we provide prototype and low volume PCB assembly, but with MOQ 5pcs per PCBA project.
5.What’s the PCB assembly cost?
PCB assembly cost differs from PCB spec, parts type, total parts on a PCB and order quantity. Please send us your Gerber files and BOM, and after the reviewing of our engineer, the PCB assembly cost will be offered.
6.Are SMT lines RoHS complaint?
Yes, all of our SMT lines are RoHS compliant for environment protection and human health.
7.What are your capacities of PCB assembly?
We have capacities for assembling most of PCBAs, and we list our PCB assembly capacities on our website. If you don’t understand them, or if your PCB assembly requires special processing or you are not sure whether we have the capacities to assemble your PCB boards, please contact us.
8.What files do you need for PCB assembly quote, and how long can I get it?
Generally, it takes 1-2 business days for PCB assembly quote. Extra time may be required if quote for large quantity of mass production, or there are parts hard to find. We will send a PCB and Assembly Quotation to you as soon as possible when it is ready.
9.What preparations do you take before PCB assembly?
The preparations include as following, which are time costly and must be careful in each preparation for highest
quality PCB assembly manufacturing.
- Necessary files and DFM checking
- PCB manufacturing
- Parts Sourcing
- Stencil production
- MI
- Parts uploading to feeders and feeders to SMT machines
- machine set-up and adjustment
- tape assembly checking
- the 1st prototype checking. These preparations
11.Do you provide turnkey PCB assembly service?
Yes, we provide turnkey PCB assembly service, which include preparation of Printed Circuit Board, All Components Sourcing, Stencil, and Assembly.
12.Do you provide Partial Turnkey/Combo PCB Assembly Service?
Yes, we provide. Partial Turkey also called Combo. In this way, you can provide us the main components, and all the rest components will be provided by the PCB and assembly supplier. For example, you can provide us the programmed main chip.
If in demand, please be noted in your BOM which components are provided by you. Then our parts sourcing team will order components except for those provided by you. Work in this way, you only need to set single point of contact, that’s means you only need one supplier or vendor to get the quote and get everything done in the supplier’s house. If dealing with multiple suppliers, one small change will make a ripple effect of delays and problem happen to meet will hard to divide the responsibility of each supplier.
13.Do you accept Kitted/Consigned PCBA orders, and how do you want to receive the parts?
Yes, we accept. Kitted/Consigned means all parts will be provided by you, and the PCB assembly supplier provide PCB, stencil and assembly. Parts can be kitted and/or consigned to us under our Partial Turnkey PCB Assembly Service, but we have requirement on the parts like below:
- Parts Individually Packaged and Labeled are required with BOM Item Number and either Customer Part Number or Manufacturer Part Number.
- An Inventory List of Components in the kit, indicating Manufacturer Part Number and Quantity in the Kit, is required.
14.Why do you sometimes make SMT Assembly Fixture?
SMT Assembly Fixture may apply in the following cases:
- If the PCB has no break-away tabs and without them cannot be assembled.
- If the SMT components are too closed to any of the PCB edges.
- PCB assembly with press-fit connectors, which require press-fit fixture(s).
- Assembly with flexible PCBs and Rigid-flex PCBs
- Any other cases need to make assembly fixture
15.What if have problems with my loaded PCB assemblies?
If after receiving your loaded PCB assemblies you run into any kind of problems, contact us immediately. We will evaluate the issue and repair (rework) or remake as appropriate after determining the root cause of the problem.
17.What are your PCB Assembly quality standards?
PCB assembly according to IPC-A-610 Class II.
18.What if you receive incorrect consigned/kitted parts?
No matter who provide components, all components received will be got incoming materials inspection based on your BOM and packing list, the actual parts and the kitting labels may have. If some of the consigned/kitted parts are incorrect, we will inform you immediately. And you can ship the correct ones to us again. We will arrange PCB assembly when all parts arrival.
19.What is the NRE of IC programming, PCBA testing and PCBA programming?
NRE stands for Non-Recurring Expense. When need IC programming, PCBA testing and PCBA programming, we always need to make specific fixtures, if you paid once, we no longer charge again in your repeat orders or in repeat use of these fixtures.
20.Why the components sourcing form you are higher than those if procured by us?
Electronic components imported to China have to add 16% VAT and some of them should be charged with Tariff, which is different from HS code of each part.
21.What do you need for IC programming?
f you don’t want to do IC programming. We offer IC programming service at our state-of-the-art turkey PCB assembly facility. IC programming will be performed before the chips are mounted on the PCB. We support various package types, including DIP, SDIP, SOP, MSOP, QSOP, SSOP, TSOP, TSSOP, PLCC, QFP, QFN, MLP, MLF, BGA, CSP, SOT and DFN with assistance of our suppliers.
For programming, we need files in format Binary, Intel Hex, Motorola S-Records, Tektronix, Extended Tektronix and POF. We need documentation – Settings, Configurations and the Checksum. But if you have better programmer, just ship them to us if possible.
PCB Business FAQs:
3. Who will pay the VAT and Tariff?
The VAT and Tariff will be bore by you. VAT and tariff vary upon different countries of the destination. If products exporting to your, we can reduce and declare the invoice value as low as your requirement to save cost.
4. How long can you keep our fixture(s) and other objects owned by us for free?
Fixtures and other object including but limited to PCB E-test Fixture, Solder Paste Stencil, SMT Assembly Fixture (/ SMT support plate), IC programming fixture, PCBA testing fixture, PCBA testing fixture, PCB punching die (/mould) and parts remaining. We can keep them for free in suitable conditions for 1 year from the date of shipping. But please keep in mind that in such long stock, we cannot promise whether they are in good quality for your next repeat orders. If happens broken, we will have no responsibility on making a new one.
5.What express couriers are available?
We ship all PCBs and PCBAs by air with DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, EMS and Hongkong Post, and ship high volume PCBs by sea.
6.How long is the express transit time?
Generally, 3-7 business days. But some countries can be delivered in the 2nd day, and some countries will be longer. But average time is 4-5 working days.
