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What files do you need for a PCB assembly quotation?

For an initial PCB assembly quotation, provide the available board manufacturing data, bill of materials, placement data, requested quantity and scope of supply. Add an assembly drawing and the important process or test requirements. If something is unfinished, identify it clearly so the quotation can state assumptions rather than silently filling gaps.

For production, the package needs an approved revision, resolved contradictions and instructions for the operations actually ordered. A readable schematic can support engineering review, but it does not replace board fabrication data, a purchasing BOM or the assembly definition. A photograph alone cannot reliably specify all parts, orientations and connections.

A useful first message says whether you need bare boards plus assembly, assembly of supplied boards, component sourcing, programming, testing or a wider OEM program. PCB Assembly covers the board-level manufacturing route; contract manufacturing is the more relevant discussion when the requirement includes ongoing product-program responsibilities.

Build a file-readiness brief for your project

Select quotation or production preparation, then mark the status of each work package. The checklist records your declarations and flags open items. It does not inspect file contents or certify that a package is complete. Use 鈥淣ot applicable鈥� only with a reason that explains the agreed scope.

There is no required readiness score before you can contact an engineer. Download the current brief or open an email draft with the summary. The tool keeps entries in the current page session and does not upload files. The separate Contact form does not automatically receive the values entered here.

Match each file to a manufacturing task

Use the PCB file-format guide to choose and review export formats. Use the BOM preparation guide for the purchasing definition and the pick-and-place file guide for placement conventions. Their roles overlap at reference designators, but one file is not a substitute for the others.

For a double-sided assembly, label the side using the agreed convention and confirm how bottom-side rotation is represented. Avoid manually mirroring coordinates to make a screenshot look correct. The machine-programming review needs an unambiguous export definition and an assembly drawing for comparison.

Turnkey, consigned and mixed sourcing need different details

In a turnkey request, the BOM should identify the approved orderable components. Include manufacturer part numbers and any permitted alternatives with their approval conditions. A distributor stock code can be helpful, but it should not obscure the manufacturer identity, package, tolerance or temperature rating that determines the actual component.

For consigned parts, provide a packing list with quantities, reference designators, packaging form and any handling constraints. Agree how attrition, shortages, unused material and damaged packaging will be handled. The quantity of purchased parts may differ from the exact quantity fitted to shipped boards; obtain the applicable allowance instead of applying a universal percentage.

A mixed-sourcing build needs a clear supply owner per line. Record whether the customer or assembler supplies bare boards, each component group, stencils, fixtures and firmware. Otherwise two teams can purchase the same item while another is left unowned. Components with moisture sensitivity, special storage requirements or traceability needs should be identified early.

Flag lifecycle, stock or substitution questions as open purchasing decisions. An attractive substitute is not automatically approved because it fits the footprint. Electrical, thermal, firmware and certification implications may require design-owner review. A BOM change can also affect assembly, inspection and testing instructions.

Move from available files to an approved release

Begin with a manifest listing the product, revision, included filenames, preparation date and responsible contact. Keep a single authoritative release directory. Separately label obsolete drawings and reference-only material; do not leave multiple files called 鈥渇inal鈥� for the supplier to interpret.

During engineering review, resolve conflicting quantities, absent references, unknown polarity and board-versus-panel coordinates. The DFA page and BOM/placement consistency tool can help with selected consistency questions. A local consistency check still does not verify the physical correctness of footprints, actual part availability or the assembly program.

Before production, approve the scope and exceptions in a controlled record. If a drawing note conflicts with the BOM, identify which file changes and reissue the affected package. Sending a new attachment in an email without a revision summary can leave purchasing, programming and inspection working from different states.

After release, describe each engineering change: affected product revision, changed components or artwork, disposition of existing material and whether first-piece review or test updates are needed. Avoid replacing a file under the same name without telling the manufacturing team.

Add process, inspection and delivery requirements early

Specify the assembly acceptance basis with the relevant document edition, class and customer requirements. The IPC standards guide explains the distinction between soldering requirements and assembly acceptability. Do not treat the words 鈥淚PC compliant鈥� as a complete purchase specification.

Identify any coating, cleaning, selective soldering, press-fit or other special operations. State the areas to include or exclude and the intended verification method. Where panelization affects handling or separation, include the assembly panel drawing and requirements with the same release.

For a functional test, provide the operating conditions, inputs, expected outputs, tolerances and record format. A request to 鈥減ower up and check鈥� leaves the test coverage unclear. Discuss the PCBA functional test scope and the first-piece review before authorizing repeat assembly.

For delivery, agree packaging, labelling, unit identification, lot traceability and any retained sample or record requirements. These inputs can affect handling and lead time even when the PCB layout does not change. Include unusual storage or transport conditions in the enquiry.

The official illustrates how manufacturing and placement outputs are exported. Export settings are CAD-specific; verify the result in an appropriate viewer and confirm the receiving workflow instead of assuming that a familiar extension proves completeness.

Questions before quotation and production