COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN ADVICE FOR MAKERS

If you're looking for the absolute, cheapest possible assembly service, you'll need to look outside of North America. If you really need a decent price with good quality and good service, you can keep your gaze West of the Atlantic and East of the Pacific.

Like everything else in the modern world, design decisions can have a pretty big impact on your cost. So, lets take a look at some design decisions that can make your manufacturing more affordable.

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN

Lead times are one of the biggest factors in electronics manufacturing. Screaming Circuits can turn a kitted assembly job overnight, but it costs a lot of money to do that.

Screaming Circuits also has a 20 day turn-around that is much, much more affordable. Accepting longer lead times on PCB fab will drop your cost as well.

1. Accept longer lead times

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN

We build tons of QFN and BGA boards - even down to 0.3 mm pitch micro BGAs. That's great if you need those packages. However, since all of the leads are underneath, we have to x-ray every part. That adds a bit of cost to the process.

If you can, stick with TSSOPs and other parts with visible leads.

2. Avoid leadless packages like QFNs and BGAs

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN

We will gladly assemble parts on strips of almost any size. But, to save costs, use full or partial reels or continuous strips of at least 12" long. It costs us less time to work with reels and continuous strips, and we pass those savings on.

3. Use reels, or 12" or longer continuous strips

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN

These days, thru-hole components tend to be hand soldered. That costs more than machine assembly, so use surface mount wherever possible.

Surface mount components tend to be less expensive than thru-hole too.

If you do need a few thru-hole parts, this is an opportunity to put in a little sweat equity by soldering the thru-hole yourself and save a bit of money.

4. Stick with Surface Mount

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN

Putting surface mount parts on both sides of the pc board is a great way to better utilize space. However, if cost is more of a concern, and you only have a few parts to put on the back side, it may be more cost effective to move them to the top side.

If you've got a lot of parts, the additional cost for assembling both sides may be less than the cost for the extra PC board size, but with a small number of parts that's probably not the case. Quote it both ways and see which is less expensive

5. Consider keeping your surface mount parts on one side

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN

We can work with really tiny boards individually, but sticking with a larger size makes the job easier, and, again, we'll pass those saving on. If your PC board is smaller than 16 square inches, panelize it. We put in less labor and you get a price break.

6. Panelize small boards

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN

By following these guidelines, you get a decent price and really good quality and service.

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN

For more information on this topic or others visitblog.ScreamingCircuits.com

COST REDUCTION IN DESIGN