Below is a short list of the most frequently asked questions by customers regarding our new OneQuote form. For more information or if you have questions, please call 800-651-7250 to reach our Support Team.
We need the following files for every pcb assembly order
We can ship UPS and FedEx as requested. If you have a shipping account already established, please provide that information upon order confirmation and we will bill the shipment charges directly to you. Otherwise, we will prepay and add all shipping charges we've incurred to your invoice upon closing. All packages are sent insured.
Credit card is the easiest (plus you get miles!). We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
If your data and design matches the data input to the online price calculator, then it is the same. Often, the initial data we receive is not the final or correct data needed for proper pcb assembly. Things can change with a printed circuit board design as it goes through the design/layout process. Consequently, data files and placement configurations may not be updated or synchronized upon submittal to us. We will also verify the component counts and stuff configurations, fine pitch and line item counts, turn time and board quantity. After reviewing your files, we will send you a formal quote for your final approval and authorization. The quote will include line item detail for pcb assembly costs, set up fees, stencil expenses as necessary, and any promotional discounts currently being offered. We also include complete documentation "deliverables' which you can use to verify both our quote and the integrity of your data. These "deliverables" allow you, the customer, to verify that all information received relates to the same revision of a board and that all is ready for a successful build.
For each side having SMT or through-hole components that we will be populating
The silkscreen layer normally includes POLARITY information and reference designators for parts. From diodes and polarized caps to QFNs and BGAs, orientation is critical. If your CAD system is 'weak' in calling out the rotation, then the visible information contained in the silk is our best check. That doesn't include the requirements of a repair tech or a QA inspector.
Our SMT Design and Verification Assembly program includes various specialized .DLLs to aid in importing various CAD program outputs, as well as being able to read generic .csv and .txt files. The only requirement is that the output format is NOT in a binary format. CSV or XLS is very much preferred for both XYRS and the BOM.
We will accept data from almost any CAD program used today. Orcad, Protel, Eagle, Power PCB or Pads, Cam350, and PCAD are examples of the most commonly used, however we welcome the opportunity to develop additional interfaces. Just let us know what you are using.
Please send a minimum of 50 pieces on a continuous strip 10 to 12 inches long or 5 % overage for all common passives; whichever is greater to avoid any delays in production. IC's and more expensive parts usually require 1-2 extra at most. Parts that are properly shipped in anti-static carriers or in moisture sensitive packaging will be treated with care both while being inventoried and placed. Any unused parts are returned with your job.
In all cases, our receiving inspection of your parts will be based on our BOM, your packing list, the actual parts, and (if available) the kitting labels! We will contact you as soon as this problem is discovered, which will allow you to drop-ship missing or incorrect components, request that we hold the job, or simply no-stuff/no-load the parts in question.
The clock begins when we have your data finalized and approved, and all the necessary parts/boards in-hand to assemble. Remember, we are Prototype and Quick Turn Specialists! Standard turn time for most orders is 5 business days. Data and materials must be received by 10am EST to be counted for that day.
We work very hard to make sure all your PCB orders get shipped on time. There are occasions, however, when the freight carriers have delays and/or make shipment errors. We regret when this happens but we cannot be responsible for delays by these carriers.
We require gerber files (274X or 274D with an aperture list), an excellon drill file, and a drill tool list (may be included in excellon drill file). We can use other formats such as ODB++ or AutoCAD dxf to create gerbers for you.
The Test NRE is a one-time "non recurring expense" for electrical test. This charge is optional but when paid, all circuit boards will be tested each and every time that part number and revision is ordered without additional charge.
PCB Assembly Express holds no inventory, therefore we will not substitute parts on your bill of material with parts we already have. We can suggest crosses or assist with component selection if necessary, but we require customer approval before ordering.
We order to your exact bill of material ordering 5% or 5 extra for most components. Occasionally we are faced with minimum / multiple orders where extra components must be purchased. These parts are addressed, and approval received from our customer prior to ordering.
