Approximate cost of pcb assembly

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Lots of variables, but for a first finger-in-the-air estimate that's not going to be far off.

In general for LARGE runs the assemblers consider how many components there are to place, of how many different types. This determines how much time / how many different types of reel will be needed.

But for small runs other items dominate the cost. Apart from component prices, you need to consider if the components are available in these quantities (that's tripped me up recently - I spec'd something only available in quantities of 250 or more); how many different suppliers the assembler will need to deal with, because that will take a lot of time; whether there are any special operations like, mounting components on the underside of a board.

I recently used a tiny (1 man!) assembler in the UK who used a semi-automatic SM assembly machine. It was very impressive, placing things under manual control but doing the fiddly work for him. Good blend of machine and man for small scale stuff. Many assembly houses are either purely manual or purely large-scale automatic SM machines, with all the setup hassle their overheads imply.

We have a couple of Essemtec semi-auto p+p machines. Great stuff.

John

Generally speaking, yes. It depends upon the number of components. But I've seen prices from $20 to $30 a board.

Cheers

Yeah, obviously. I just needed some general estimate. My boards are not that complex. Just about 20 IC's with corresponding bypass caps +

How does one setup the board to handle it? Do I need special placement and alignment markings or is everything pretty much handled by the EDA? Does the board need to have a boarder with the markings so I have to add that or can I get away with just placing some markings in the most convenient location and the placement machine will handle it?

I guess what I really need is an online site that explains the process. I suppose I have to buy the components in reels and ship them to them too? Do I get the left overs back? I suppose I can also do partial assembly? Such as just the passives and I can handle solder the IC's if need be?

Thanks, Bobby

Assembly costs are higher for a lot of parts WRT only a few. Cost also is higher per board in small quantity due to hand labor VS pick and place for sufficient quantity (set-up time as minimum).

VS

Everything can be automated. Just a about 500 SMT LED's and 50 SMT cap's and res's. As you can see the reason I want it automated because I don't want to do the LED's. They are tiny and RGB's.

Bobby Joe writes

For a relatively small run like this there are no industry standard rules. You need to talk it over with the assembler you choose and they will guide you through their assembly procedure. The small / medium ones are pretty flexible as *they want your business*. Your CAD package can probably output an x,y file to aid machine assembly of PCB's - ie "R4 is at origin + 23mm in the x direction, +12mm in y direction". I think most people put their origin at the bottom left corner of the PCB but it's arbitrary. Some assemblers like "fiducial" marks (target shaped things) on the PCB's to centre their camera-based component placement machines.

If you ask for the leftover components back, you should get them.

If mounting tiny LED's make sure there is some obvious polarisation. I've seen PCB's where not one LED lit up because they'd all been put in the wrong way round. Machine assembly is nothing if not consistent! These days if I choose an LED I make sure there's some way to tell if it's the right way round - not always an option if your design requires miniaturisation, in which case you need to look at the manufacturer's specs to see which way round it is fitted in the reel.

Anyhow - basically choose an assembler or two, then discuss with their production engineers over the best approach.

If you're in the UK I can maybe help you a bit further with finding a suitable assembler. If you're in the States, I leave you to the tender mercies of your countrymen. Sounds like you're in a good position though, a small run like this implies you are in a small company thus have freedom to do whatever suits you - unlike large companies where you have to use the Approved Suppliers and Procedures 8)

My understanding from discussion of XY files on the PCB dev list is that the exact XY position (center of the part, corner of the part, etc) is so machine/vendor specific that they only expect rough figures anyway. Then as part of the setup they tweak that file to their process.