Factors That Affect PCB Assembly Cost

If you’re in the market for PCB assembly services, there are some factors that affect the price. These include custom specifications, the number of layers and lead time, as well as the quality of labor. Understanding these factors will help you negotiate with a PCBA assembly service. If you’re looking to reduce the overall cost of PCB assembly, keep these tips in mind.

Number of layers

A number of factors affect PCB assembly cost, including the number of layers. Having more layers increases the number of production steps required and the raw material required. Higher layer counts will also result in higher costs because the lamination process becomes more complex. For example, a four-layer PCB will cost more than one with two panels.

When selecting the number of layers, it is important to understand the purpose of the board before deciding on the number. The number of layers will also be determined by the type of machines used and the complexity of the electronic circuit. Typically, high-tech applications require many layers.

Lead time

Lead time is one of the most important factors to consider when comparing PCB assembly costs. It will determine how long the production process takes and how much the PCB assembly will cost. As lead time can vary widely between companies, it’s important to find a supplier that can meet your needs in a timely manner.

Lead time is broken down into three different categories: customer lead time, manufacturing lead time, and shipping lead time. For example, if you order a specific material, you may need to wait several weeks for the material to be delivered. Similarly, if you order a raw material from a supplier, the lead time will be longer than if you order it from a different source. In order to reduce lead time, you should make sure that your supplier maintains inventory and can quickly ship the material to you if necessary.

Quality of labor

While PCB assembly costs may seem low, they can go up significantly when assembly is done in a foreign country. For example, a PCB assembled in South Asia costs several times as much as one in North America or Western Europe. Moreover, the cost of PCB assembly in an overseas location increases because of handling, shipping and communication delays. So, even though cheap PCB assembly costs are attractive, it’s important to think about the quality of the labor and packaging you’ll be receiving.

PCB assembly costs can also be affected by the quantity. Larger quantities will incur lower PCB assembly costs because of economies of scale. High-quality PCB assembly services will usually charge more than those that offer small orders. But if your PCB assembly needs are limited to low-volume production, you can choose a cheaper country to manufacture your PCB.

The complexity of board design

The complexity of a board’s design has a large impact on PCB assembly cost. The more complex a board design is, the more time and effort it takes to manufacture. For instance, adding a BGA to a PCB design means a whole new set of inspections and additional assembly steps. Additionally, a PCB manufacturer’s costs are influenced by the standards it must comply with. For example, a contract manufacturer needs to invest in the necessary certifications to make IPC class III PCBs for the aerospace industry.

PCB assembly costs are impacted by factors related to the complexity of the board design, the type of product being produced, and the method of assembly. Regardless of these factors, there are several steps that can be taken to minimize PCB assembly costs. First, the design process is key. Inconsistencies in the manufacturing process, board size, and component size all affect the cost of PCB assembly.