PCBWay Q&A-003 | Common Questions for PCBA ...

PCB Assembly is one of the main services on PCBWay. Compared with PCB production, PCB assembly process has higher technical requirements and involves more complicated steps. For each step, you might have some questions or something unclear. Today our senior service representative - Angell will be our instructor and explainer to guide us knowing better about PCBWay assembly service.

Goto Hayawin to know more.

 Q1&#;How can we place a PCB assembly order at PCBWay? Is it the same with the PCB order process?

Angell&#;At PCBWay, we&#;ve been trying to make everything easier for our clients and minimize their operations, so placing an PCBA order can be very simple and quite similar with the PCB order process - Fill out the basic information, upload the required files, and get the final price to proceed.

Let's check out the assembly quote page, and I'd like to introduce more details to you.

As we can see from the assembly quote page, we have 3 options of component supply: Turnkey, which means PCBWay supplys all the parts; Kitted or consigned, means customers can send their components directly to us; and the last option - Combo, customers provide some parts and we supply the rest. So you can not only provide components by yourself, some or all of them, but also ask us to help source and purchase the parts.

Next, there are some options for us to choose the board type, single piece or panel; and assembly side, your boards need to be assembled for only one side or both sides.

Next thing you need to do is to fill out the related information of your order, like quantity, the number of Unique Parts, SMT pads, through holes, etc. to get the estimated quotation.

Q2:When our clients want PCBWay to supply the parts, can they specify the component supplier ?

Angell: Yes, you can remark the supplier name or add the links of the parts in the BOM if you want to specify any supplier.

Q3:In what case should our clients choose panel or single piece? Is there any big difference ?

Angell: If PCB quantity is more than 20pcs, and single pcb size is less than 50*50mm, then we suggest you panalize the PCBs to facilitate assembly; Max panel size should be less than 460*320mm;

Q4:What&#;s the minimum quantity of an assembly order ? Can I fill out just 1 piece ?

Angell: Yes, we can do even 1 piece for you, as long as you'd like to pay the set-up fee to program all the machines, and you also have to buy a few extra components, because there will be some components wasted as we're peeling the tape or loading the feeder.

Q5: What's the meaning of Unique Parts ? Is it a must to fill out ?

Angell:It means the number of components types on each board (listed in the BOM). Simply speaking, if one BOM has 15 kinds of parts NO. , then the number of unique parts is 15 too. There may be several designators of same part NO. on one board. It still can be considered as one number of unique parts. Anyway, if you are still not clear about it,you can just leave it blank, since the final price depends on your bom file and we'll check it carefully. You can remark any requirements on the &#;detailed information of assembly&#; if you need.After you fill out all the information on the instant quote page, then you will get an estimated price of your order. Then it's time to swipe over to upload all the required files .online.

Q6:What files are needed for a PCBA order ?

Angell: Normally, you need to provide Gerbers file, Parts List (BOM) and Pick&place/Centroid file for a PCBA order.Our engineers will check the files and give you the final accurate quotation in a timely manner. Then you'll get the access to making payment to start the fabrication after the files are passed the audit.

Q7:For the BOM file, what information are required in it ?

Angell: Well, normally, the following content has to be included, like :*MFG Part Number&#;*Designator&#;*Quantity and *Footprint.It's surely better that you can provide more information, like:Description: to add components part number, specification, tolerance, etc.Soldering type: to clarify components are &#;SMD&#; or &#;THT&#;.

You can also add your Instructions / Notes: For example, components soldering notes, components polarity or orientation, components soldering temperature, components firmware loading, components testing instruction, components soldering or not soldering(DNP,DNS), customer-supply components or not, etc.

Q8:Do we have a BOM template file so that our clients can more easily build their own BOM file?

Angell: That&#;s a good questions, once you create a PCB Assembly order and the page skip to the backstage to let you upload your files, you can download the BOM template file. And one thing I have to mention is that we do not accept BOM files in pdf cause it could cause difficulties for our staff to purchase components.

Q9:After BOM is uploaded, how long will it take for us to provide the quotation ?

Angell: Normally, you will receive quotation within 1 business day. However, if there are really a lot of different types of components, it may take longer but not later than next day.

Q10: Some clients want to get quotation for different quantities, how should they do ?

Angell: If you want to get quotation for different quantities, just leave message in the message field to tell us the quantities when you submit order. Your Service Representative will contact you on quotation by . It's not necessary to submit multiple orders with different quantities again and again.

Q11:Sometimes the client may update their Gerber or BOM files after they place an order, so what should they do if they want to change something for their Gerber or BOM files ?

Angell: If you have any update with the Gerber or BOM file, just send the latest file to your Service Representative. If there are just a few slight changes, you can just tell your Service Rep the the changes directly, and don&#;t need to create another new order online.

Q12:Are all the boards assembled by SMT machine?

Angell: Not really. For prototypes or assembly with just few components totally, we usually solder the THT components manually; for small batch production (50pcs to 200pcs) or mass production, we have to assemble the boards by machine. If you have any special request on this, you can also make the note about it when you submit the SMT order.

Q13: Should I submit a stencil order for SMT assembled boards made by PCBWay?

Angell: There is no need to submit a stencil order because we will make stencil accordingly by default.

Q14: Angell, based on your years of work experience, do you have anything else to elaborate on SMT orders?

Angell: If there is a component that closes to the PCB edges with less than 3mm spacing, please add the edge rails more than 3mm. For the single PCB, if total soldering points are more than 200 or PCB size is more than 150*150mm, it&#;s Ok to make the assembly on the single PCBs directly.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Assembly Smt.

In addition, please add fiducially marks on the panel and single PCB, so it'll be easy to fix the accuracy by our SMT machine.

Last but not least, we&#;re currently having the promotion of free worldwide shipping for assembly orders. So just don&#;t miss it!

If you have any questions about your orders, just leave a comment below or send a message to .

Project Planning&#;Simon

Key Takeaways

• Asking a PCB manufacturer key questions about practices, processes, and certification ensures the quality of PCBs during fabrication and assembly.

• Design and engineering teams should have adequate time to prepare questions for PCB manufacturers. 

• The broad range of capabilities seen with PCB manufacturers requires in-depth questions about quality, processes, and compliance with international standards.

As a parent, you quickly become used to an ongoing stream of questions from your child. On an almost daily basis, parents handle the most important questions of a lifetime. &#;Why? Where did I come from? How did I get here?&#; rank high on my personal list of favorites.

In the business of designing and producing printed circuit boards (PCBs), the ability to ask the right questions can provide value and save money. Within the right environment, asking questions leads to a healthy exchange of ideas and perspectives. Those exchanges foster learning and innovation. The ability to ask questions may also prevent leaders and teams from making decisions that lead to unacceptable risk. In this article, we discuss the critical questions to ask a PCB Manufacturer to establish confidence that you will be getting an excellent product.

The Best Questions to Ask a PCB Manufacturer

Asking the right questions of a PCB manufacturer has roots in best practices and reflects both knowledge and credibility. The right questions allow design and engineering teams to move past surface issues such as availability and discounted costs. When asked the right questions, PCB manufacturers recognize that a team has credibility, knowledge, and insight.

General Business Practice Questions Can Be Revealing

Although asking a PCB manufacturer how many years they have been in business may seem simplistic, the response to that question sets the table for other questions about the type of boards they have produced and whether the products and services match the expectations of your team. For example, if a PCB manufacturer has fifteen years of experience producing rigid boards and has not produced another type of board, the manufacturer&#;despite 15 years of experience&#;probably cannot meet your expectations for producing rigid-flex boards, since they don&#;t have that experience.

Other questions to ask a PCB manufacturer include:

1. How many employees do you have? 

PCB manufacturers that have the appropriate staffing levels have a better ability to sustain best practices when faced with producing larger orders.

2. What kind of education and training do your employees have?

PCB manufacturers should have the engineering expertise needed for reviewing quick prototype requests and for making recommendations to design teams. Questions of this type often disclose the ability&#;or lack of ability&#;of a PCB manufacturer to communicate effectively and to collaborate across different organizational levels.

3. What is your company&#;s manufacturing philosophy?

PCB manufacturers that place efficiency as a high priority concentrate on delivering products quickly at lower costs. In contrast, PCB manufacturers that value effectiveness begin with a stakeholder analysis and continue by factoring stakeholder requirements into their decisions. 

Answers to the above questions can help your team formulate a budget while also showing if time-to-market predictions include stage-by-stage quality control.

Take Time to Ask PCB Manufacturers About Processes

Much of the difference between efficiency and effectiveness involves process control. The processes defined by a PCB manufacturer must align with the decisions that your team makes about the board layout, shape, type, materials, and components, and all of this impacts the sub-processes that make up each stage of the larger manufacturing process. 

In addition, those processes must match the design specifications for precision and accuracy. Along with other processes, a manufacturer must have the ability to create correct positive and negative images, maintain the alignment of layers within multilayer boards, etch inner and outer layers, drill precise vias and mounting holes, and apply the optimal finishes.

Your team&#;s decisions about components might also impact PCB assembly stages. For example, a decision to use surface mount technology components requires the correct type of pick-and-place equipment. Any use of through-hole components also requires the appropriate wave soldering equipment. Some applications&#;such as aerospace or medical applications&#;may require a PCB manufacturer to have specific board cleaning procedures.

Solid processes should produce a balance between delivering products ahead-of-or-on schedule and ensuring that the quality of the product satisfies or surpasses stakeholder requirements. Any discussion about efficiency and effectiveness should focus on the ability of the manufacturer&#;s processes to meet schedules and demonstrate quality control. Questions should touch on the following:

• The technologies that a PCB manufacturer uses 

• Their ability to review board and product designs 

• The level of error-detection used from the start of manufacturing to the end of manufacturing 

Ask About Certifications and Compliance with International Standards

Most PCB manufacturers post certification information that demonstrates their commitment to and compliance with international standards. When interviewing manufacturers, ask about their compliance with the International Standards Organization ISO: quality management standard. ISO certification shows that the manufacturer can meet or exceed the needs of its customers through a quality management system that includes company leadership, planning activities, operations, support, and performance management.

Look into a Manufacturer&#;s Compliance with Environmental Standards

Environmental sustainability has become a top priority for the electronics industry. Reputable PCB manufacturers enforce Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) standards throughout the manufacturing process. RoHS regulations restrict the use of Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls, and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers during fabrication. PCB manufacturers must have the ability to provide surface finishes that meet the RoHS requirements. When asking about RoHS compliance, also request information about the manufacturer&#;s ability to treat wastewater produced during PCB fabrication processes.

UL Listings and First Article Inspections

Another key certification for PCB manufacturers involves UL listings. Compliance with the UL listing service shows that manufacturers rigorously test products to protect against flammability and delamination risks. Questions about the capability of a manufacturer to test boards should cover the in-house procedures, the type of in-house equipment, and maintenance procedures.

Key parts of testing procedures include First Article Inspection (FAI) or the testing of the first one or two completed boards to ensure the correct use of materials, the appropriate quantity of materials, the correct application of component mounting, stenciling, and soldering technologies, and an inspection of printing, placement, and soldering. Additional manual inspections, automated optical inspections, and automated X-ray inspections allow manufacturers to check component polarity and locate scratches, open conditions, shorted conditions, incorrect components, missing components, insufficient solder, or excessive solder.

Make Sure the Manufacturer Complies with ISO

Compliance with the ISO standard assures design teams that a manufacturer has the capability to trace any problems encountered with a board to a root cause. The ability to trace&#;or traceability&#;shows that a manufacturer can successfully check production processes, supply chain issues, or maintenance problems. Questions about traceability can cover processes such as the assignment of lot codes for materials arriving from the supply chain, the type of equipment used to perform chemical solution checks, and the assignment of lot and date codes to completed PCBs.

PCB manufacturers should also demonstrate compliance with IPC standards. Those standards cover all classes and types of boards and establish performance and quality levels. The IPC standards also describe quality expectations for the supply chain and the capability of manufacturers to source and trace critical components.

Ask Questions About Post-Fabrication Procedures

Problems with PCB production can occur between fabrication and assembly. Because an important part of quality involves the storage of PCBs after fabrication, IPC has issued the IPC standard to cover handling for boards. Your design team should ask if the PCB manufacturer uses climate-controlled storage and about the temperatures and humidities observed in the storage facilities. Along with requesting information about the storage facilities, your team should also ask if the manufacturer stores PCBs in a heat-sealed, vacuum-packed moisture barrier bag. Improperly stored PCBs can delaminate after reflow, crack, tarnish, and develop bad solder joints.

Now that you know which questions to ask a PCB manufacturer, check out our  PCB Design and Analysis Software page for more cutting edge PCB design advice. Our Allegro PCB Editor can help you bring your next great design to life.

The company is the world’s best Automatic Labeling System supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.