PCBs are available in all electronic devices. Electronics keep impacting our daily lives. From cars to refrigerators, and cell phones, PCBs are available in these devices. Even high-performance machines used in industries feature PCB. PCBA is the finished board after all components have been installed on the bare PCB board.
When ordering for PCBAs, it is important you request for a quote. PCBA quotes are crucial in PCBA manufacturing since they provide an estimate of the time and cost required to transform a design into a PCBA. A PCB manufacturer requires accurate information about the PCB board.
What are PCBA Quotes?
PCBA Quotes are documents that provide a general estimate of the time and cost of transforming a design into a printed circuit board assembly. Quotes are not only requested for PCB design or manufacturing, they are also requested for PCB assembly. If all basic information for production are provided, a manufacturer can make a PCBA quote quickly.
It is crucial you provide accurate production information to your EMS as this helps to minimize the quotation lead-time. It may be time-consuming to get all necessary information about your PCB. However, your PCB quote will be as accurate as the information you provide.
A PCB quote doesn’t just provide information about the cost needed to fabricate a board, but also provides information about the capabilities and time required to complete a circuit board fabrication.
Documents Needed for PCBA Quotes
You will need four basic documents to create a PCBA quote. These documents are crucial as they contain information needed to make a PCBA quote.
Assembly Print
This is the blueprint of the manufacturer. The assembly print reveals where parts should be. Also, it provides information about packaging or special marking for the circuit board. This document should have information about the assembly part number and revision. The Assembly print is usually available in a PDF document.
Approved vendor list
This list offers information about the manufacturer’s part number related to your reference or IPN. You can have various approved manufacturers for every IPN.
Bare board print
Bare board print is also known as a fabrication drawing. The bare board print features documents needed for your PCB fabrication. Also, this document should include information like board thickness, number of holes, outer dimensions, material, and more. It could also include solder mask color, finish, and number of layers needed. The bare board print is usually available in a PDF.
Bill of Materials
This document plays a crucial role when creating a BOM. The BOM should include information about internal part number, quantity per, part number, and a reference designator for every line item. Most times, the bill of materials (BoM) feature the approved vendor list (AVL). A comprehensive BoM will include revision and fab part number. This document is usually available in Excel format.
Frequently Missed Data when Requesting for a Quote
Sometimes, designers miss out vital information when requesting a PCB quote. It is important to provide vital information accurately. This information is crucial for estimating the time and calculating the total cost for fabricating a PCB board. Below are some data that are frequently missed when requesting for a PCBA quote.
The surface finish on the board is a vital information needed in a PCBA quote. There are a wide range of surface finish options. Failure to specify the exact surface finish type needed for a PCB project will affect the efficiency of the board. PCB designers often miss this important information when requesting for a quote.
Impedance details
Controlled impedance requirements of a PCB determine the choice of different parameters. Failure to provide this information will delay the quote.
Cut-out
A cut-out is any hole on the board not caused by mechanical drilling. PCBA quotes should include information about the positions and dimensions of the cut-out. However, PCB designers often omit this information in their PCB quotes.
Solder mask details
Providing details about solder mask doesn’t just include clicking “Yes” for solder mask. There are crucial details you need to share with your contract manufacturer. Details like solder mask type, solder mask finish, solder mask sides, and solder mask color should be provided.
The silkscreen is another vital information usually overlooked. You need to provide information as regards the side to apply the silkscreen and the color needed.
How to Improve the Accuracy of PCBA Quotes
When creating PCBA quotes, the accuracy of the information provided in these quotes is crucial. One important thing you need to put in mind is how you communicate your information. The accuracy of your PCB quote will make the manufacturing process very easy. When you fill information for online quotes, there is a reason the information is being asked. If you don’t provide accurate details, you may end up with a PCB that doesn’t meet your requirements.
Some manufacturers may provide a quote based on their own interpretation of your inaccurate information. Also, these manufacturers may create their quote based on least expensive materials. For instance, they may quote tin-lead for surface finish option.
It is very easy to provide your manufacturer with accurate information so that your quotes can be accurate. Therefore, your manufacturer will need to have some important documents like fabrication drawing, Gerber files, and BoM to gain a clear picture of what you need. Your contract manufacturer will contact your designer if any vital information is not available in your quote.
The Gerber file is ideal for PCB data for easy and quick communication as regards PCB fabrication. Your BoM should be in an Excel file as this enables your manufacturer work with your data easily. Important information your BoM should include are reference designator, component description, reference designator, quantity per board, and manufacturer part number.
Conclusion
The accuracy of the information in your PCB quote will determines the accuracy of your quote. Every day, PCB fabricators receive requests for quotes. Quotes are not only requested for PCB design or manufacturing, they are also requested for PCB assembly. If all basic information for production are provided, a manufacturer can make a PCBA quote quickly.
