吃瓜tv / PCB ASSEMBLY
PCB Assembly Services
SMT, through-hole and mixed assembly鈥攆rom prototype to repeat production.
Bring your board files and BOM to 吃瓜tv for PCB fabrication, component sourcing, assembly and the inspection or testing your product requires. Choose full turnkey, partial turnkey or customer-supplied materials, with a clear scope before the build.
For a useful quotation: BOM + board files + quantity. Add placement data, drawings and test requirements when available.
SMT, through-hole and mixed builds. Choose turnkey, partial-turnkey or consigned supply. Compare service scope 路 Check assembly capabilities 路 Prepare your quote files
Estimate Your PCB Assembly Cost
Choose assembly, inspection, coating and potting requirements in one estimate and RFQ tool. The optional BOM check runs locally in your browser.
Loading the interactive tool. You can request an exact quote directly with your BOM and board files.
Choose the assembly service for your project
PCB assembly (PCBA) fits and solders electronic components onto a bare printed circuit board. This service page helps you select a build scope; the illustrated process guide explains each manufacturing stage.
| Your priority | Service path | Define with the enquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype PCB assembly | Engineering samples and design iteration | Board revision, sample quantity, bring-up checks and any first-article hold. |
| Turnkey PCB assembly | Fabrication, component procurement and assembly | Approved part numbers, supply ownership and substitution policy. |
| Quick-turn PCB assembly | A deadline-driven build | Required arrival date, complete-kit date, file readiness and test preparation. |
| Low-volume PCB assembly | Pilot lots and recurring small batches | Quantity per release, revision baseline and repeat-test requirements. |
| Box build and system integration | PCBA plus enclosure, cables or mechanical assembly | Mechanical drawings, wiring, hardware, firmware and system test scope. |
Choose who supplies the materials
Your build can be prototype, turnkey and deadline-driven at the same time. Select the build task above, then agree material ownership below.
| Supply model | Your input | Scope to agree |
|---|---|---|
| Full turnkey | Fabrication data, approved BOM, placement data and build requirements | PCB supply, component procurement, assembly and the agreed test plan. |
| Partial turnkey | The BOM with customer-supplied lines identified | Who buys each item, how consigned parts arrive and how shortages are resolved. |
| Consigned assembly | Customer-supplied boards and components, plus controlled assembly files | Material counts, packaging, attrition allowance and incoming inspection. |
Need bare boards only? Review bare-board manufacturing requirements. For recurring OEM programs, coordinate revisions and supply responsibilities through contract manufacturing.
A quote starts with a consistent file set
| File or requirement | What to include |
|---|---|
| PCB fabrication data | Gerber and drill files; board dimensions, stackup and finish requirements. |
| BOM | Manufacturer, manufacturer part number, reference designators, quantity per board, DNP status and approved alternatives. |
| Placement and assembly files | X/Y coordinates, rotation, board side, units, origin and assembly drawings. |
| Build quantities and timing | Prototype quantity, production quantities, requested delivery date and any staged deliveries. |
| Test and final handling | Firmware, test procedure, fixture needs, coating, labelling and packaging requirements. |
Use one revision identifier across the package. If a requirement is undecided, flag it clearly rather than allowing two files to contradict each other.
Follow the assembly BOM preparation guide when exporting procurement data. For a repeat order, use engineering change control to keep firmware, BOM and fabrication revisions aligned.
Match the assembly method to the board
| Assembly requirement | Review before release | Where to go deeper |
|---|---|---|
| Single / double-sided SMT | Component orientations, panel support, thermal exposure and side sequence. | Single- vs double-sided assembly |
| BGA, QFN and hidden joints | Package land pattern, paste design, moisture handling and inspection coverage. | BGA assembly and inspection |
| Through-hole and mixed technology | Lead / hole compatibility, access, thermal constraints and soldering route. | Through-hole assembly process |
| Flex / rigid-flex assemblies | Stiffeners, fixtures, component clearances and handling. | Flex PCB assembly review |
| Programming and functional tests | Released firmware, interface, fixture, test limits and required records. | Functional testing requirements |
Send the actual design for numerical limits and a production review. The assembly capability page supports this discussion; the final acceptance scope belongs in the order.
PCB assembly project examples
Explore examples from the 吃瓜tv project galleries. The notes highlight what to prepare for a similar build; open the related service page for more photographs and project requirements.
Prototype build: define interfaces and bring-up checks.
View related projects and requirements
Turnkey build: agree each material owner and approved BOM.
View related projects and requirements
Small batch: agree the release quantity and repeat-test baseline.
View related projects and requirementsAgree how your assembly will be inspected and released
| Method | What it helps evaluate | Define with your project |
|---|---|---|
| AOI / visual inspection | Visible placement and soldering features | Inspection stage, accessible joints and acceptance criteria. |
| X-ray inspection | Hidden solder connections, including BGA joints | Packages to inspect, sampling or full inspection, and interpretation criteria. |
| Electrical / functional testing | Circuit behaviour under specified conditions | Fixture, test points, power sequence, limits and pass/fail records. |
| Programming and verification | The intended firmware on the intended hardware | Controlled binary, programming interface and version checks. |
Specify the acceptance class and applicable revision in your RFQ. address assembly acceptability and soldered-assembly requirements respectively. Agree the applicable criteria and inspection plan for your order.
Inspection and functional testing answer different questions. Agree the combination for your product before the build; a visual inspection alone does not demonstrate functional performance.
Compare PCB and assembly test methods, then define the fixture and acceptance limits for functional testing. Agree the PCBA traceability records required for each production lot.
Before supplier approval, request the evidence your project requires: applicable certificate scope, approved material exceptions, first-article records and the agreed test-report format. Review quality assurance documentation and assembly equipment. Identify the records you need with your enquiry so their scope and availability can be confirmed.
Add inspection coverage, programming, fixtures and acceptance limits to the process requirements in your RFQ brief. Your selections stay in the same tool.
Separate the assembly price from the delivery scope
For a populated board, compare what arrives and what evidence accompanies it. 鈥淎ssembly included鈥� does not answer who supplies the bare boards, which BOM lines are purchased, whether programming is included or how the product is accepted. Use explicit line items to prevent a low assembly-only figure being compared with a complete turnkey quotation.
Example: a mixed-supply pilot build
ILLUSTRATIVE TEMPLATE 鈥� not a customer record, quotation or factory capability statement.
| Work package | Customer input | Line item or decision to request |
|---|---|---|
| Boards and materials | Released fabrication data; BOM lines marked customer-supplied or supplier-sourced. | Bare-board supply, component quantities and approved substitution responsibility. |
| Assembly setup | Placement file, assembly drawing and DNP list at the same revision. | Stencil/setup charges, assembly operations and any fixture requirement. |
| Programming | Binary identifier, programming interface and verification method. | Whether programming, serialization or provisioning is included; who supplies secure data. |
| Inspection and test | Critical joints, test access and required function checks. | Inspection methods, unit or sample coverage, fixture work and records included. |
| Release and shipment | Marking, packaging, destination and requested arrival date. | Release quantity, open deviations, delivery basis and excluded work. |
If a customer-supplied part arrives late, record the resulting kit date separately from assembly time. If the test fixture is not ready, an assembled board can still be awaiting functional acceptance. Neither condition should disappear inside a single unexplained 鈥渓ead time鈥� number.
Keep the reply with the BOM and assembly revision. Ask for a revised scope when a component, firmware image or inspection requirement changes; do not assume the first quotation covers a different configuration. The existing Contact form accepts the enquiry鈥攁ttach your brief and files yourself.
Comparing offers? Use the PCBA quote scope worksheet to align components, setup and testing before comparing batch totals.
From released files to a repeatable build
01 / Review the build package
Keep the Gerber data, BOM, placement file and assembly drawing on the same revision. Identify do-not-populate parts, polarity, special handling and mechanical constraints before purchasing or setup.
02 / Resolve materials and setup
Agree approved manufacturer part numbers and substitutions. Confirm the stencil, panel handling, component orientation and any customer-supplied items before the build starts.
03 / Assemble and inspect
Define the SMT, through-hole and manual assembly steps around the actual board. Put inspection points where they can detect printing, placement and solder-joint issues.
04 / Verify and release
Match programming and test results to the agreed acceptance criteria. Record any open issues before moving from a prototype build to repeat production.
Use a written BOM alternative approval process before buying substitute components. Review the assembly lead-time dependencies against PCB readiness and material availability.
Explore the 10-step process with equipment photos and interactive routes.
Inside the assembly workflow
Selected original 吃瓜tv photographs: printing, placement, hidden-joint inspection and functional testing. The project-specific route and inspection coverage are confirmed with your order.
Review the equipment page 路 Understand how the stages connect
A BOM change must reach purchasing, placement and inspection
Illustrative release example: a BOM revision changes one component while the placement file still contains the original reference and orientation. The part may be purchasable, but the package, pin-one convention and inspection setup still need to match the released assembly.
| Handoff | Resolve before building | Customer-visible outcome to agree |
|---|---|---|
| BOM to sourcing | Manufacturer part number, approved alternatives and supply owner | Approved component list and exceptions |
| Sourcing to placement | Footprint, package, orientation and placement revision | One consistent assembly file set |
| Placement to inspection | Critical joints, hidden connections and acceptance scope | Agreed inspection coverage |
| Inspection to shipment | Programming, functional test, marking and packaging scope | Agreed release documents and delivered configuration |
This is a workflow example, not a completed customer case. Choose component ownership through turnkey assembly and verify the proposed inspection scope under assembly capabilities.
PCB assembly questions before requesting a quote
What is included in PCB assembly?
The agreed scope can include board supply, component sourcing, SMT or through-hole assembly, inspection, programming and testing. Fixtures, protective processes and enclosure integration need explicit requirements and quotation coverage.
Can you quote before every file is final?
Send the available files and identify preliminary information. A planning quote can state assumptions, but purchasing and production need an approved release package.
What are the minimum quantity and delivery time?
These depend on the design, material availability and selected processes. Send the quantity and required arrival date for review; project photographs and example calculator values are not universal order terms.
Can I supply some of the components?
Yes鈥攄efine a partial-turnkey or consigned scope. Mark ownership by BOM line and agree quantities, packaging and handling before shipment.
What determines the assembly lead time?
PCB readiness, component availability, file completeness, setup, assembly and testing all affect the schedule. Supply your required date with the RFQ so the actual critical path can be reviewed.
Can a component be substituted?
Treat an alternative as an engineering change. Confirm its electrical, mechanical and lifecycle suitability and approve it before use; a matching package alone is insufficient.
How should I prepare for repeat production?
Freeze the released revision, resolve prototype findings and agree the inspection and test records required for subsequent builds.
Search 120 PCB assembly answers for files, sourcing, samples, packaging and repeat orders.
Send your PCB assembly project for review
Include the board revision, BOM, quantity, required date and supply responsibilities. Add the placement file, assembly drawing and test requirements where available. If a decision is unresolved, describe it; you do not have to complete a calculator before asking.
Already have a fabrication brief, BOM review or test checklist? Include it with the design files to explain your requirements.