3 Tips to Reduce the Cost of Your PCB Assembly Project
3 Tips to Reduce the Cost of Your PCB Assembly Project
Hope our suggestions can save your money and effort
Tip #1:
You should avoid single sourcing wherever possible.
For example, with multiple component options, you have a greater availability of parts in distribution. You also have component cost leverage. And if there are quality issues with parts, you can select another source immediately.
The biggest problem with single sourcing? You could end up not being able to manufacture the product because parts need to be ordered from the factory and lead times can be significant.
Tip #2:
Make sure that panelization is optimized to the needs of the PCBA manufacturer.
For example, here is a 6-up panel, meaning the panel makes 6 PCBAs at a time. Note the 4 mounting holes (.127 dia) in the corners. This is how the PCBs are mounted in the assembly equipment. If a factory has fixtures designed for processing 6.5 x 4.25 panels with .127 pins for mounting this will work well for them.
But a company that uses .250 pins would prefer panels that are 12-up rather than 6-up. It is cheaper to conform with the equipment of the factory you are working with than to maintain your original designs.
Tip #3:
Set up a process to qualify lower cost sources between your Design Engineering and Purchasing departments.
This is easier said than done. Conflicting priorities between Design Engineering and Purchasing can impede the process.
Management partners up with Purchasing and Engineering to identify high-value cost reduction opportunities. They also work to determine strategic components that need multiple sources to assure continuous production.