5 Key Factors that Will Impact the Quoting and Production Timeline of Circuit Board Assembly

“How long does it take to produce a custom printed circuit board assembly or box build?”

“How quickly can we get a quote for our custom printed circuit board assembly?”

“What kind of timeframe should we expect to get our new product launched?”

These are all great questions that we hear all the time!

And, like a therapist, we typically have to answer those questions with a question (actually, several questions). If you’re just looking for a quick response to the question, “What does it cost for a printed circuit board assembly?” The answer is pretty straightforward: It depends. 

We know that’s not what you want to hear, so we’d like to share some of the primary questions we ask in order to estimate the timeline (and cost) of your project. 

1. Is this a new product or existing product?

A brand new product will require more time and energy both in quoting the build and when it comes to producing the final product. New Product Introduction (NPI) involves a full set of skills and knowledge to succeed. Whereas a simple batch production run of an existing assembly is much more straightforward. 

2. Do you have assembly files?

The more organized a customer is, the more efficient the quoting and production processes will be. For example, ideally you’ll have detailed Gerber files, a clear BOM (Bill of Materials), assembly drawings and possibly a sample board to evaluate. 

3. How complex are the parts on the BOM?

 The complexity of the BOM has a major impact on the timeline and cost of a PCB assembly project. Having to source five items versus 900 makes a big difference. 

 4. Do you need design/engineering assistance?

We have an experienced team of designers and engineers who can help solve issues you may be facing in the design or production of your product. Whether you just need to run some ideas by us or you need a full range of design and engineering support, the answer to this question will affect your price and timeline.

5. Will you need a prototype or test fixture designed and built?

You may have all the proper files or you just have an old board with no drawings that needs to be re-engineered. In either case, if you need a prototype PCB assembly or text fixture designed and built, this increases the budget and timeline of a project. Fortunately, our design and engineering team have built thousands of prototypes, and we’re confident we can get you what you need quickly and efficiently. 

Flexibility on the Manufacturing Floor Makes All the Difference

We have more than 15 different “work centers” a job can potentially go through when producing a printed circuit board assembly or PCB box build. Typically, a standard build will utilize five or six of these work centers; however, the more complicated a job, the more steps it takes to complete. 

The flexibility to manage projects that range from simple to complex gives us an advantage over the competition, and gives YOU the advantage of having a one-stop shop for all your PCB needs. 

Request a FREE Project Review or Snapshot Analysis

Are you looking to improve your printed circuit board assembly or box build? Or maybe you’re in the early stages of a new product design? If so, request a free project review today, and we’ll reach out to you to learn more about your project.

If you’re not quite ready for a full quote, try a free “Snapshot Analysis” of your current board or initial drawings. We’ll take a look and give you our thoughts based on more than 100 years of combined experience. 

In the end, quality is our focus. We hope to hear from you soon.