Prototype assembly
Use a small build to resolve file issues, confirm component orientation and define a practical test procedure. Separate a first-article approval from the balance of the order when needed.
Prepare your release files →Shenzhen, China · From files to finished boards
Turnkey PCB Assembly.
Start with a clearer build plan.
Bring your board files, BOM and production requirements together. Define what gets sourced, built and tested before your project moves forward.
Full turnkey · Partial turnkey · Consigned assembly
Contact: [email protected]
Shenzhen, China
Materials responsibility
Inspection & test scope
Quantity & delivery planning
01 / BUILD YOUR BUDGET
See what shapes
your assembly cost.
Explore a planning range for boards, components, assembly and testing. An exact quote needs your actual design files and parts list.
Illustrative model · USD
Example rates — awaiting supplier calibration. These results are not this supplier’s prices.
Explore your budget
Enter board and assembly details, then calculate a scenario.
Excludes freight, tax, duties, fixtures, firmware and qualification. Components cannot be priced accurately from BOM lines alone.
Model and reference allowances
The steel stencil allowance follows the public PCBSync planner: USD 35 for a single-side set or USD 60 for a double-side set. Its illustrative 12% spread is also used for the unconfirmed processing allowances. These references are not verified selling prices. Other default values are editable planning assumptions, not PCBSync prices. Enter known PCB, component and test costs to replace those assumptions.
SMT and THT inputs here count solder joints, unlike placement-based tools. A reused or supplied stencil has no new-stencil allowance in this model, but must still pass revision and condition checks.
An estimate is a planning aid. It is not a purchase price, inventory confirmation or delivery commitment. A component’s manufacturer part number and quantity matter more than BOM line count alone.
02 / THE TURNKEY MODEL
Your design files.
A coordinated
assembly scope.
Turnkey PCB assembly is a manufacturing arrangement in which a supplier coordinates bare-board fabrication, component procurement and assembly from a customer’s released design files. Inspection, functional testing, programming and shipping must be specified in the quotation; the word “turnkey” does not define those details by itself.
You remain responsible for the design intent and for approving changes. A useful handoff names the PCB revision, BOM revision, acceptable alternates, assembly quantities and acceptance criteria. This gives purchasing and production the same reference point.
The model can suit a prototype, a small production batch or a repeat build. The right choice depends on who already owns the materials, which components are difficult to obtain, and how much purchasing coordination your team wants to retain.
When comparing suppliers, review how fabrication and material sourcing fit into an assembly order, then check that the written quotation describes the same scope you need.
03 / CHOOSE YOUR SUPPLY MODEL
Who supplies what?
Full, partial and consigned assembly describe material ownership. They do not replace an inspection plan or a controlled release.
| Responsibility | Full turnkey | Partial turnkey | Consigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare PCBs | Supplier procures to your approved files. | Assign to you or the supplier in writing. | You normally supply the boards. |
| Components | Supplier sources the released BOM. | You provide selected items; the supplier sources the rest. | You provide a complete, labeled kit. |
| Useful when | You want a coordinated purchasing and build scope. | You hold critical parts or have existing supply agreements. | You have a complete kit and control procurement. |
| Resolve first | Alternates, stock availability, MOQ and excess ownership. | The owner and arrival date of every material line. | Kit completeness, packaging, overage and shortages. |
| Shared requirement | Consistent revisions, approved substitutions, agreed test coverage and a written definition of completion. | ||
Partial turnkey is useful when a long-lead processor, custom connector or customer-controlled part is already in your inventory. Document the split in the BOM rather than relying on email descriptions. For consigned kits, list actual quantities delivered, required attrition allowance, moisture-sensitive handling instructions and the disposition of unused material.
Low volume production
Keep the BOM, approved alternates and work instructions under revision control. Recheck availability for every new order instead of assuming a prior quote remains valid.
Review build requirements →Quick turn assembly
A short placement schedule helps only when boards, parts and approvals are ready. Work backwards from the date you need usable, tested assemblies in hand.
Plan the critical path →Explore full turnkey, partial turnkey and consigned assembly, or browse all assembly services.
04 / A CONTROLLED HANDOFF AT EVERY STEP
From release package
to finished assembly.
Agree the output of each stage before committing to the next.
Review files
Resolve revision mismatches, DFM questions, polarity and missing assembly notes.
Source parts
Confirm exact part numbers, procurement owners, alternates and arrival dates.
Fabricate PCBs
Release the stackup, material, finish, tolerances and panel requirements.
Assemble
Plan SMT, through-hole and any manual steps against approved instructions.
Inspect & test
Apply the agreed inspection coverage, programming and functional test limits.
Pack & ship
Confirm labeling, ESD packaging, quantity records and shipping responsibility.
05 / ENGINEERING REVIEW
Make capability
a project-level check.
Send the requirements that determine build feasibility. Numeric limits and available processes should be confirmed against the actual assembly.
| Build parameter | Include in your request | What must be confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| PCB construction | Dimensions, layers, stackup, thickness, material, copper weight and finish. | Fabrication limits, tolerances and panel arrangement. |
| SMT assembly | Smallest package, fine-pitch parts, placement count and populated sides. | Placement feasibility, stencil strategy and reflow requirements. |
| Through-hole | Insertion quantity, connector drawings, thermal mass and solder requirements. | The appropriate soldering process and mechanical support. |
| BGA and hidden joints | Package drawings, pitch, moisture sensitivity and inspection requirements. | Process suitability and agreed hidden-joint inspection coverage. |
| Inspection and testing | Acceptance class, AOI/X-ray expectations, firmware and functional test procedure. | Available equipment, fixture needs, limits and retained records. |
| Box build | Enclosure drawings, cables, fasteners, labels and final product test instructions. | Assembly responsibility, fit checks and final acceptance scope. |
Request supporting documentation for any certification your project requires. A general capabilities page or application photograph is not evidence of a specific certification, qualification or test result.
Send your build requirements ↗ON THE PRODUCTION FLOOR
See the assembly environment.
Production photographs from our team show equipment, component handling and manual assembly workstations. Include the process and inspection requirements for your board in the project review.
06 / APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Start with the environment
your board will work in.
Application requirements shape the materials, process controls and test evidence. Discuss them at the quotation stage.
Industrial control
State operating temperature, connector loads, vibration exposure and the expected service environment.
Review application requirements →IoT & consumer
Include RF constraints, firmware provisioning, antenna handling and power-on test requirements.
Review application requirements →Medical electronics
Identify required quality documentation, traceability and applicable project qualifications before supplier selection.
Review application requirements →Automotive
Specify customer quality requirements, environmental testing and required process approvals for the program.
Review application requirements →Telecom
Define RF or high-speed measurement needs, shielding details and connector inspection criteria.
Review application requirements →LED & lighting
Document thermal interfaces, polarity, optical requirements and the conditions for functional testing.
Review application requirements →07 / THE RELEASE PACKAGE
Better files.
Fewer open questions.
Keep fabrication, purchasing and placement data on the same revision. Label the release date and identify the point of contact for engineering questions.
Check your file readiness →- Gerber files and drill data
Supply the complete layer set, board outline and drills. Add a fabrication drawing for stackup, finish, thickness and tolerances.
- Bill of materials
Include manufacturer, exact manufacturer part number, quantity per board and reference designators. Mark DNP parts and approved alternatives explicitly.
- CPL / centroid / pick-and-place
Provide reference, X/Y coordinates, rotation and board side. Define units and origin, and ensure the reference designators match the BOM.
- Assembly and test instructions
Show orientation, special handling, programming files and functional test limits. Include fixture information and acceptance criteria where applicable.
- Commercial build requirements
State quantity, material supply model, requested delivery date and destination. Identify any separately supplied or long-lead components.
08 / PRACTICAL PLANNING TOOLS
Resolve the unknowns
before the RFQ.
Use these checks to organize your request. They do not replace engineering review, live component availability or a supplier quotation.
PCB Assembly Cost Estimator & Budget Breakdown
Explore an illustrative PCB assembly budget by board size, quantity and assembly work. See separate cost allowances and carry your inputs into an RFQ.
PCB Assembly Lead Time Estimator
Estimate a PCB assembly schedule from file review, PCB fabrication, material readiness, assembly and testing. Find the critical material path.
Gerber, BOM & CPL File Readiness Checklist
Check Gerber, BOM, CPL, assembly and test documents before an RFQ. Mark completed release items and download a checklist for your project team.
BOM CSV Checker: Missing Fields & Duplicate References
Check a BOM CSV locally for missing part numbers, invalid quantities and duplicate references. Your file stays in the browser during this check.
PCB Assembly Quote Scope Comparison
Compare two PCB assembly quotations using the same quantity and cost categories. Identify missing scope before choosing between quoted totals.
09 / COMPARE COMPLETE QUOTATIONS
Price the same scope.
Then compare suppliers.
PCB assembly cost has several independent drivers: bare-board construction, actual component prices, setup work, placement and soldering, inspection, functional testing and logistics. A low assembly labor figure can still produce a high total when fixtures, programming or material minimums sit outside the quoted scope.
Check the procurement and build details behind a turnkey quotation and create a written list of inclusions for each offer. Compare the same board revision, quantity, test coverage and shipping basis.
When evaluating China versus USA assembly, compare the actual manufacturing locations, communication arrangements, transit time, landed costs and any project-specific sourcing restrictions. Geography alone does not prove quality or determine the total cost. Do not compare an offshore ex-works price with a domestic delivered price without aligning the assumptions.
For a first build, ask how the supplier handles engineering questions, proposed substitutes, incomplete kits and first-article feedback. For repeat production, ask what gets rechecked when components change or a new revision is released. The objective is a quote you can understand and a build scope both parties can follow.
10 / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before you send the files.
What is included in turnkey PCB assembly?
A turnkey arrangement normally coordinates bare-board fabrication, component sourcing and assembly. The quotation must separately identify inspection, functional test, programming, packaging and shipping. Custom fixtures and product qualification should not be assumed to be included.
What is the difference between full, partial and consigned assembly?
In full turnkey, the supplier sources the boards and components. Partial turnkey splits purchasing responsibility between the customer and supplier. In consigned assembly, the customer normally supplies the materials. All three need a controlled file release and an agreed test scope.
Which files do I need for a quote?
Prepare Gerber and drill files, a BOM with manufacturer part numbers and quantities, and a CPL or centroid file with placement coordinates. Add assembly drawings, DNP markings, test instructions, build quantity and delivery requirements. An incomplete package may support an initial discussion but not a firm production commitment.
Can I supply some of the components?
A partial turnkey request can identify customer-supplied components. Mark the purchasing owner, quantity, packaging and expected arrival date on each relevant BOM line. Kit completeness and handling requirements must be reviewed before the assembly schedule is confirmed.
How much does turnkey assembly cost?
The total depends on board construction, order quantity, actual component prices, setup, SMT and through-hole work, inspection and test scope. Use the estimator to explore a budget scenario, then submit the real BOM and design files for an exact quotation. A BOM line count alone cannot establish the component cost.
When does the lead time start?
Define the starting milestone in the quotation. It may depend on approved files, payment, bare boards, a complete component kit and resolved engineering questions. Fabrication and sourcing can overlap, but assembly cannot finish before required materials are available. Shipping time should be shown separately.
Can a prototype use the turnkey model?
Yes, turnkey describes purchasing and coordination responsibility rather than a particular order size. A prototype RFQ should state the first-build quantity, desired test coverage and whether first-article approval is needed before completing the remaining boards. Minimum quantities and feasibility need project-specific confirmation.
Does inspection mean the board has been functionally tested?
No. Visual inspection, AOI and X-ray address defined workmanship or connection questions. Functional testing exercises the board against a written procedure with expected results and limits. Identify who supplies firmware, fixtures, test software and troubleshooting criteria.
What should I ask before choosing a manufacturer?
Ask about file review, component sourcing channels, substitute approvals, inspection coverage, traceability, handling of shortages and first-article feedback. Request evidence for certifications or capability limits relevant to your design, and make sure the quotation names all exclusions.
How should I compare China and USA assembly quotes?
Use the same files, quantities, material ownership, test scope and delivery basis. Compare the manufacturing location, communications, shipping time and total landed cost. Confirm any origin or sourcing restrictions for your project; a supplier's location alone does not demonstrate quality or project suitability.
11 / START YOUR PROJECT
Put your next build
into focus.
Share your quantity, design files and the decisions you need help resolving. Include your requested delivery date and any parts you will supply.
Only send files you are authorized to share. If you need a confidentiality agreement, arrange it before uploading sensitive design information.