8 Aspects On How To Estimate PCB Assembly Cost

When you are new in the PCB industry, you may find quite confusing how to estimate PCB assembly costs. PCB manufacturers consider several aspects when pricing their products. 

But why is it so crucial to have a precise estimate of what a PCB assembly might cost you? First of all, knowing the total expenses involved in the PCB assembly can help you with your PCB project’s budgeting process. Secondly, once you know how much you’re likely to spend on constructing a single printed circuit board, you can always look for ways to minimize costs. Most importantly, the total cost of the PCB assembly helps you determine the price of your final product.

In this friendly guide, we give you eight ingenious ways to estimate SMT). This will make it easy for a pick and place machine to easily pick and place the components on the PCB (PCB assembly costs. Keep reading to learn more.

Send The File To A Reputable PCB Maker

One of the best ways to estimate PCB assembly’s cost is to contact a PCB maker with enough experience in the industry and request a circuit board assembly quote.  Make sure that the manufacturer has ample resources and uses the latest technology in SMT). This will make it easy for a pick and place machine to easily pick and place the components on the PCB (PCB assembly.

To generate an accurate SMT). This will make it easy for a pick and place machine to easily pick and place the components on the PCB (PCB assembly quote, the manufacturer will usually ask you to provide details regarding:

1. The number of boards

2. The bill of materials (BOM)

3. Gerber files in RS-274X

4. Assembly files

5. Centroid data

6. Any unique specifications

Most manufacturers will ask you to send the BOM in Microsoft Excel format. Be sure to include all the required columns. Some of the details in the columns include the designator, manufacturer’s name and part number, description of the part, quantity of parts, package information, etc. If there are parts that you want to be excluded from the assembly or purchase process, highlight them in the BOM.   

Use a PCBA Cost Calculator

Using a PCB Rapid Prototyping. 3D PCB Printing not only makes the PCB but it also does the Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA calculator is perhaps the simplest way to estimate PCB assembly costs. Over the years, an increasing number of PCB part manufacturers have been looking for ways to make the lives of their clients more comfortable. One way is to provide an online calculator on its website to calculate how much to charge for PCB assembly. Once you identify a manufacturer you’d like to work with, don’t hesitate to use their calculator to estimate how much you’ll need to pay for the SMT). This will make it easy for a pick and place machine to easily pick and place the components on the PCB (PCB assembly.

The best PCB Rapid Prototyping. 3D PCB Printing not only makes the PCB but it also does the Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA assembly calculators are easy to use and provide you with an instant quote. All you calculator then gives you an estimate of the amount you’ll need to pay.

PCB Assembly Cost–Determine the Order Quantity

One of the first basic rules of economics is that order volume significantly affects a commodity’s price. In general, a higher-order amount decreases the price of a product.

This rule applies to printed circuit board assembly as well. For instance, placing an order for ten units of a basic 50mm by 50mm 2 layers will cost you $30.25 at a rate of $3.025 per unit. If you change the order to 30 units at the cost of $1.005 per unit, you’ll pay $30.15. That saves you a considerable amount of money in production. It’s the perfect option for companies looking for low-cost SMT). This will make it easy for a pick and place machine to easily pick and place the components on the PCB (PCB assembly.  

If your company wants to get the price of PCBA, you can tell our company WELLPCB the quantity you need, and we will contact you immediately and tell you everything you want to know. 

PCB Assembly Cost–Consider Whether Your Board Is Single-Sided Or Double-Sided

The number of panels on a PCB assembly has a significant impact on the assembly’s overall cost. Generally, the cost of a PCB increases whenever there’s an additional layer count. In other words, every time you add a layer onto the circuit board, you amplify the cost of the PCB.

Some manufacturers charge approximately $16 for a double-sided 50 by 50 mm PCB.  In need to know about ordering custom PCB Circuit boards online. FOR the PCB board you need, you can contact us at WellPCB, the cost of a single-sided circuit board is generally reduced, which can save you some costs.

The Type of Raw Materials Affects PCB Assembly Cost

In making PCBs, manufacturers use several materials that have impressive corrosion, wear, and tear-resistant properties. The vast majority of PCB manufacturers use FR-4 for PCB assembly. While FR-4 is perfect for most applications, other materials are also tolerant to different temperatures. These materials grade within FR-4. One such element is FR4-TG150, which costs about 5% more than FR-4.  FR4-TG175, on the other hand, will usually cause a 10% increase in the overall PCB assembly cost.

PCB Assembly Cost–Think of the Surface Finish

Often, the nature of the PCB application is aggressive. For that reason, circuit boards need to have corrosion-resistant surface finishes for protection. PCB manufacturers use highly specialized surface coating, painting, and finishing to make the PCB assembly more durable.

 Some PCB manufacturers even use gold and silver finishes upon request. Such finishes achieve the highest protection levels, which is especially beneficial if the PCB will use in demanding industrial applications. Ultimately, the kind of surface finish you choose affects the overall cost of the PCB assembly.

PCB Assembly Cost–Get Reviews Via Electronic Websites

Over the years, the internet has been a trusted source of essential information for people looking to buy products. At the moment, there are thousands of product review sites dedicated to providing clients with all the information they need about products, including the prices.

Search for top professional electronic websites and compare what different manufacturers are charging for PCB assembly. You could also post your PCB ideas on these websites and get suggestions and ideas. Use the information you get to estimate how much you’ll spend on PCB assembly.

There’s a downside to posting your ideas online, though. The chances of leaking your PCB design ideas are very high.

PCB Assembly Cost– Consider Inspection Charges

The final stage of the PCB assembly involves a series of rigorous checks to ensure that they meet the highest quality standards. These checks include:

1. Electrical testing

2. Ionic testing

3. Impedance testing

Inspection charges can increase the total cost of the project by about 10% to 15%.  Some manufacturers aiming at cheap PCB assembly may wonder why they need to spend on PCB inspection and tests. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the mission of affordable PCB assembly should always be to reduce costs without reducing the final product quality. A thorough inspection is essential in ensuring that the final PCB assembly is top quality by bringing to the light any defects or mistakes before PCBs hit the market.

Generally, inspection methods include:

1. Visual inspection

2. Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)

2. Automated X-ray inspection (AXI)

Note: How To Reduce Cost Of PCB Assembly

When you’re in the market for an electronic gadget, you always go for the most affordable and functional quality devices. It’s the same thing you need to do while considering a PCB assembly. Keep in mind that the decisions you make will influence the overall PCB assembly cost. 

Some of the smartest ways to keep PCB assembly costs low include: 

1. Using fewer PCB components

2. Reducing circuit board complexity

3. Ordering large batches

4. Making use of a simple design

5. Going for the most affordable service

Summary

Engineers use different criteria to estimate PCB assembly cost. That’s because the price is a huge factor when it comes to manufacturing electronic devices. The good news is that it’s possible to approximate how much a PCB assembly project will cost so you can plan for it effectively. All you need is to keenly consider several essential factors affecting the cost of PCB assembly.  

The ability to cut costs during your PCB assembly cost can enhance the profitability of your organization. An ingenious way to keep costs low is by working with the right PCB manufacturer.

At WellPCB, we go above and beyond to ensure that our clients get the highest quality products at the most affordable rates. We manufacture and deliver PCBs directly from our factory, eliminating intermediaries who might increase costs and lead time. Our prototype fabrication services are also cheaper than other PCB manufacturers out there. Whether your order is small or big, you can always count on us for the best deals.