Simple Ways to Reduce the Cost of PCB Manufacturing and Assembly
When investing in printed circuit board assembly for small batch PCBs, it is important that you consider several factors during the entire process. While it may not seem that important in the long run, these small details have the ability to cut costs. Here are some basic guidelines to follow in order to ensure the cost of your circuit board assembly doesn't reach astronomical heights.
Size
The board as a whole:
When in doubt, the smaller the board, the
cheaper it will be. Do everything you can to keep the size of your board to a
minimum, as the price and circuit board size go hand in hand.
The holes on the board:
Like the size of the board, the smaller the
hole the more expensive it will be to make. If you can, stick to holes that are
about 0.4mm or larger. Also, one of the best ways to save money when creating
holes is to invest in an engineer that does through hole technology, as this
technique is cheaper and more effective.
Shape
The overall shape:
If possible, always try to keep the shape
of your board as a standard square or rectangle. Many companies charge more for
circuit board assembly services if the board is irregularly shaped or has
unique slots.
Internal cutouts:
Additionally, it is a good idea to try and
keep the internal cutouts to a minimum unless they are needed for mounting
components. So, if the shape of the board is not important, stick to rectangles
or squares and not many internal cutouts, and you will be happy with the price.
Copper
Copper paths
In small batch PCBs, a copper track is a
conductive path that is used to connect two points on the board. As a general
rule of thumb, the more copper traces you have on your board, the more
expensive it will be for prototype assembly as you will need a special machine
that has a higher precision.
Copper spacing:
Make sure to consider the spacing between
these copper tracks as the closer they are, the more complex it will be to lay
their traces.
Have any questions about saving money when it comes to PCB prototype assembly? Make sure to call our professionals today.
