{"id":35,"date":"2020-10-01T20:11:35","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T20:11:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/?p=35"},"modified":"2020-11-03T19:30:01","modified_gmt":"2020-11-03T19:30:01","slug":"how-to-avoid-common-pcb-assembly-ordering-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-common-pcb-assembly-ordering-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Avoid Common PCB Assembly Ordering Mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This article is intended to be used as a guideline when placing a PCB assembly order <strong>with any electronic contract manufacturer (ECM)<\/strong>. It identifies some of the most common mistakes made during the ordering process and it shows how to avoid them. By thoroughly referencing this document prior to placing a PCB assembly order, you can ensure to minimize any errors, failures, or delays in the completed PCB product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistakes\n&amp; How to Avoid Them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Missing Files<\/strong> &#8211; There\nare many documents that an ECM requires in order to complete an assembly build,\nand unfortunately, it is quite common for one or more of these files to be\naccidentally left out when requesting a quote or placing an assembly order. <ul><li>Documents Required:<ul><li>Gerber Files<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Bill of Materials (BOM)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Centroid File (XY Data or Pick &amp; Place file)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Assembly Drawings (if available)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Special Instructions (when needed)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 2rem;\"><strong>How to avoid\nthis mistake:<\/strong>\nDuring the quoting process you may only need to provide the Gerber files and\nBOM, but during the ordering process you need to provide all the files listed\nabove. Notify your electronic contract manufacturer immediately if any of the\nfiles have been updated and clearly indicate what has changed. Hopefully,\nchanges to the design can be caught on time before the bare boards are\nfabricated, or worse before the printed circuit boards are assembled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>\n    <strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Missing Data<\/strong> &#8211; If you have procured all of the above documents, it is also vital to ensure that all documents have the correct file requirements and complete data information. All documents must include the following; \n    <ul>\n      <li>Gerber Files \n        <ul>\n          <li>RS-274X Extended Gerber format<\/li>\n          <li>All board layers &#8211; including the outline layer<\/li>\n          <li>Panelized Gerber files (if the boards are panelized)<\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>Bill of Materials \n        <ul>\n          <li>Must be in Excel format .xls, .xlsx, or .csv &#8211; not PDF format<\/li>\n          <li>Must include reference designators, quantity of placements\n              per board, manufacturer part numbers and descriptions. Vendor part numbers are\n              helpful but not required. Parts that are not going to be populated or installed\n              (DNP\/DNI) must be highlighted. <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>Centroid Files\n        <ul>\n          <li>Excel .csv format is preferred, but any file type that can be \n          opened by Notepad is acceptable.<\/li>\n          <li>Must include reference designator, X-coordinates, \n          Y-coordinates, part rotation, and board side.<\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        Special Instructions\n        <ul>\n          <li>Clearly labeled as a \u201cRead Me\u201d file or a \u201cSpecial Instruction\u201d file in text format or as a Word document. <\/li>\n          <li>Please include any images whenever necessary for unusual instructions or requirements.<\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 2rem;\"><strong>How to avoid\nthis mistake:<\/strong>\nMake sure that all your files have the right format and include all the\nrequired information. Contact your ECM if you have any questions or concerns<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Unfamiliarity with Manufacturing Requirements <\/strong>&#8211; All manufacturers have\ndifferent specifications for their assembly operations, and we recommend that you\nfamiliarize yourself with their requirements before placing a PCB Assembly\norder. Below are some requirements that are commonly overlooked when placing\norders;<ul><li>Board Material \u2013 If you are\nproviding the bare boards and you would like the assembled PCBs to be lead free\nplease make sure that you order High-Tg printed circuit boards so they can\nwithstand the higher temperatures required for lead free soldering. Regular FR4\nTg is 130-140 centigrade, High-Tg is greater than 170 centigrade. <\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Board Size \u2013 Make sure that the\nlength and width of your PCBs meet the minimum and maximum size requirements of\nyour electronic contract manufacturer. If your printed circuit boards are too\nsmall your ECM may require that your PCBs are panelized or that you cover the\ncost a SMT fixture.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Board Shape \u2013 If your printed\ncircuit boards are not square or rectangular make sure that your electronic\ncontract manufacturer can handle odd shape boards. Your ECM may require that\nyour PCBs are panelized or that you cover the cost a SMT fixture.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Components Too Close To Board\nEdge \u2013 You should contact your electronic contract manufacture to determine if\nthey can handle components close to the edge of the board. Your ECM may require\nthat your PCBs are panelized or that you cover the cost a SMT fixture.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Fiducials &#8211; Most electronic\ncontract manufacturers require that the PCBs have fiducials.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 2rem;\"><strong>How to avoid\nthis mistake:<\/strong>\nMake sure your PCB project meets the requirements of you ECM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Parts Mistakes <\/strong>&#8211; When providing you own parts for assembly, you\nshould be aware of the common parts mistakes. In order to avoid delays in\nassembly, it is recommended that you thoroughly review this list of common\nparts mistakes before shipping any parts;<strong><\/strong><ul><li>Not providing enough extra\nquantity to compensate for attrition.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Ordering parts that do not\nmatch the footprint on your printed circuit board.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Not clearly labeling parts\nwith manufacturing part number and quantity.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Not providing an invoice or\npacking slip to compare with BOM.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Not referencing order number\nor board\/company identification information in shipping documentation.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Using old\/counterfeit parts\nfrom non-certified suppliers.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 2rem;\"><strong>How to avoid\nthis mistake:<\/strong>\nThe easiest way to avoid this mistake is to have your ECM order the parts for your\nPCB assembly project. Otherwise, make sure you order all your parts from\ntrusted suppliers and that you meet the parts requirements of your ECM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Poor Communication<\/strong> &#8211; Not clearly communicating build requirements can\ngreatly slow down the assembly time. It is recommended that all information\nchanges, special instructions, or updates be identified and communicated as\nearly and quickly as possible. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 2rem;\"><strong>How to avoid\nthis mistake: <\/strong>Make sure to respond to any assembly questions in a timely manner to\navoid delays, and provide clear documentation\/images to describe requirements\nand specifications.<\/p>\n<div class = 'socialMediaOnEveryPost'><div id=\"sgmbShare1-1\" class=\"sgmbShare jssocials-theme-classic sgmbWidget1-1\"><\/div><div class=\"dropdownWrapper dropdownWrapper1 dropdownWrapper-for-widget \" id=\"dropdownWrapper-for-widget\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdownLabel\" id=\"dropdownLabel-share-list\"><span class=\"sgmbButtonListLabel1\">Share List<\/span><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdownPanel dropdownPanel1-1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><script>  SGMB_URL = \"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-builder\/\"; jQuery(\".dropdownWrapper\").hide(); SGMB_GOOGLE_ACOUNT = \"\"; <\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n\t\tjQuery(document).ready(function($){var widget = new SGMBWidget();widget.show({\"id\":\"1\",\"title\":\"PCB ASSEMBLY EXPRESS\",\"options\":{\"currentUrl\":\"1\",\"url\":\"\",\"shareText\":\"\",\"fontSize\":\"14\",\"betweenButtons\":\"5px\",\"theme\":\"classic\",\"sgmbButtonsPosition\":\"bottomCenter\",\"socialTheme\":\"classic\",\"icon\":\"default\",\"buttonsPanelEffect\":\"No Effect\",\"buttonsEffect\":\"No Effect\",\"iconsEffect\":\"No Effect\",\"buttons\":\"{\\\"facebook\\\":{\\\"label\\\":\\\"Share\\\",\\\"icon\\\":\\\"default-facebook\\\"},\\\"twitter\\\":{\\\"label\\\":\\\"Tweet\\\",\\\"icon\\\":\\\"default-twitter\\\",\\\"via\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"hashtags\\\":\\\"\\\"}}\",\"roundButton\":\"on\",\"showLabels\":\"\",\"showCounts\":\"\",\"showCenter\":\"on\",\"showButtonsAsList\":\"\",\"sgmbDropdownColor\":\"\",\"sgmbDropdownLabelFontSize\":\"14\",\"sgmbDropdownLabelColor\":\"\",\"showButtonsOnEveryPost\":\"on\",\"selectedOrExcluded\":\"\",\"showButtonsOnEveryPage\":\"\",\"textOnEveryPost\":\"\",\"showButtonsOnCustomPost\":\"\",\"textOnCustomPost\":\"\",\"showButtonsOnMobileDirect\":\"on\",\"showButtonsOnDesktopDirect\":\"on\",\"sgmbSelectedPages\":[\"\"],\"sgmbExcludedPosts\":[\"\"],\"sgmbSelectedCustomPosts\":[],\"showButtonsInPopup\":\"\",\"titleOfPopup\":\"\",\"descriptionOfPopup\":\"\",\"showPopupOnLoad\":\"\",\"showPopupOnScroll\":\"\",\"showPopupOnExit\":\"\",\"openSecondsOfPopup\":\"\",\"googleAnaliticsAccount\":\"\"},\"buttonOptions\":{\"facebook\":{\"label\":\"Share\",\"icon\":\"default-facebook\"},\"twitter\":{\"label\":\"Tweet\",\"icon\":\"default-twitter\",\"via\":\"\",\"hashtags\":\"\"}},\"button\":[\"facebook\",\"twitter\"]}, 1, '', 'https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Avoid_Common_PCB_Assembly_Ordering_Mistakes.jpg', '', 'https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-common-pcb-assembly-ordering-mistakes\/'); });<\/script><\/div><script> jQuery(\".socialMediaOnEveryPost\").addClass(\"sgmb-center\") <\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article is intended to be used as a guideline when placing a PCB assembly order with any electronic contract manufacturer (ECM). It identifies some of the most common mistakes made during the ordering process and it shows how to avoid them. By thoroughly referencing this document prior to placing a PCB assembly order, you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48,"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions\/48"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pcbassemblyexpress.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}