adminPCB Printed Circuit Board Assembly
Whether you’re building a smart home, space satellite, or an electronic device that makes it possible to communicate with loved ones across the globe, there is one fundamental ingredient that holds everything together—a printed circuit board. Using PCB printed circuit boards for your projects saves you time, money, and labor. But how do these boards get made, and what factors impact the assembly price? In this article, we’ll explore a variety of strategies that can reduce your pcb printed circuit board assembly costs.
Bulk orders for PCB assemblies allow manufacturers to achieve economies of scale by purchasing components in larger quantities at lower unit prices. In addition, bulk orders increase overall productivity and allow manufacturers to streamline operations. These cost savings can be passed on to your customers.
The complexity of your PCB’s design is another significant factor in assembly cost. Complex designs require more components, which in turn increases the assembly cost. Additionally, more components require larger PCBs to accommodate them, which also drives up costs. Moreover, more complex PCBs can require advanced drilling processes to ensure accurate and high-quality results, which further increases assembly costs.
How PCB Printed Circuit Board Assembly Services Reduce Costs
The number of drill holes on the PCB is another major factor in assembly cost. Smaller drill holes require more precise equipment and longer processing times, increasing the assembly cost. Moreover, more holes lead to greater material loss, which further escalates costs. Incorporate DFM principles in your design, such as reducing the number of layers, choosing standard component packages, and using standard footprints to simplify automation procedures.
Always choose RoHS-compliant components, as non-RoHS parts require a hybrid assembly that significantly increases the assembly cost. Similarly, avoid choosing components with non-standard package sizes or shapes. Make sure to specify these requirements in the BOM (bill of materials) so that a PCB manufacturer can quote you accurately.
Creating a detailed BOM is critical to efficient PCB assembly and reduced costs. Incorrect BOMs can result in production delays and inaccurate quotes. Moreover, BOMs that are not complete can lead to errors during the fabrication process and even cause the rejection of your board by the assembler. To avoid these mistakes, consult a skilled PCB designer to prepare the BOM.
Whether your product requires through-hole or surface-mount technology is another factor that impacts the assembly cost. Through-hole technology requires human or semi-automated handling, which is more costly than SMT. Additionally, the use of complex components such as ball grid arrays can further increase assembly costs.
As a general rule, SMT is more cost-efficient than through-hole technology. However, your product’s design may require other technologies for specific functions. In such cases, it is crucial to communicate your needs clearly with the assembler to minimize assembly cost. Choosing a PCB manufacturer with expertise in the technology you need can help you keep costs low without sacrificing quality. Rigiflex Technology, for example, offers a comprehensive range of expert manufacturing and assembly services in the USA.
