With
the rapid development of the electronics industry, custom PCB and PCB assembly
are no longer technologies that only large enterprises are able to use.
Nowadays, more and more startups need custom circuit boards to develop smart
wearable devices, and engineers are relying on them to build various automation
control systems. The demand for custom circuit boards has permeated multiple industries
and has become an important foundation for promoting the innovation and
implementation of electronic products.
This
article will take you through the entire process simply and clearly - from
custom PCB design to custom prototyping and assembly. Whether you are looking
for a reliable custom PCB manufacturer or want to figure out the cost of custom
PCBs or PCB assembly, this article will provide practical information.
What Is
a Custom PCB?
The
custom printed circuit board refers to a circuit board that is tailor-made
according to the actual requirements of your product. It is different from the
standard general-purpose circuit board. The custom circuit board can be
flexibly designed according to the specific uses, structures and performance
requirements of the project. This means that engineers can have full control
over all the key parameters of the circuit board, including:
•
Unique board shapes and dimensions
It can be designed into any shape according to the product shell
or installation space, such as circular, curved corners, and ultra-small size.
•
Specific layer counts and material types
You can choose double-layer, 4-layer or multi-layer structures.
In terms of materials, you can also select the conventional FR4, or the Rogers
material which is more suitable for high-frequency applications, or even the
aluminum substrate used for heat dissipation.
•
Customized trace routing, via placements, and copper thickness
It can precisely control the thickness, spacing and routing mode
of the circuit board trace, meeting the design requirements such as
high-density wiring and impedance control.
• Electrical
and thermal performance:
It can be designed for signal integrity, power consumption
control and heat distribution to ensure the stability and reliability of the
product in actual use.
• Integration
with special components or mechanical interfaces
Mounting holes, pads, connectors, and vias can be customized to
accommodate specific chips, sensors, or mechanical features, ensuring seamless
integration into your overall product design.
Whether
you are designing a high-frequency communication module or need to develop a
core control board for a small IoT device, custom PCB design can help you
achieve the optimal layout and functional combination.
Custom
PCB Cost: What to Expect
Learning
about the cost of custom PCB is a very crucial step in the early stage of
product development, especially when conducting budget assessment and project
planning. Although the specific custom PCB cost may vary depending on the
product design, it is usually composed of the following core factors:
Main
cost factors:
• Board
complexity:
This includes the number of layers of the circuit board, the
width and spacing of the traces, and the type of vias (such as through vias,
blind vias, buried vias, micro-vias). The more complex the design is, the more
refined the required craftsmanship will be, the higher the processing
difficulty will be, and the cost will naturally increase.
• Board
size:
The larger the custom circuit board size is, the more materials
are used, the longer the processing time will be, and the cost will also
increase accordingly.
• Material
selection:
Standard FR4 is the most commonly used and economical material.
However, if the project requires high-frequency signals or stronger heat
dissipation performance, high-performance materials such as Rogers and
aluminum-based materials may need to be used, and the cost will also increase
accordingly.
• Order
quantity
The unit price of custom prototyping or small-batch production
is relatively high because separate material cutting, debugging, and process
flow setting are required. Mass production orders can spread out these fixed
costs, significantly reduce the price of individual pieces, and improve the
overall cost performance.
• Testing
requirements
If quality control, such as flying probe testing, AOI, X-ray,
and functional testing, is required for your custom PCBs, certain testing costs
will increase.
•
Assembly complexity:
The number of components, package types (such as BGA, QFN,
plug-ins), and whether double-sided mounting is required, will also directly
affect the labor and equipment costs of custom PCB assembly.
About PCBasic
Time is money in your projects – and PCBasic gets it. PCBasic is a PCB assembly company that delivers fast, flawless results every time. Our comprehensive PCB assembly services include expert engineering support at every step, ensuring top quality in every board. As a leading PCB assembly manufacturer, we provide a one-stop solution that streamlines your supply chain. Partner with our advanced PCB prototype factory for quick turnarounds and superior results you can trust.
The Role of Custom PCB Assembly
When
the custom printed circuit board is completed, the next step is to assemble and
solder various electronic components onto the circuit board. This process is
called PCB assembly. The step determines whether the entire circuit board can
work normally and is a very crucial part in the production of electronic
products.
Core
assembly services include:
SMT
(Surface Mount Technology):
By
using a pick-and-place machine to precisely attach tiny components to the
surface of a PCB and then completing the soldering through reflow soldering.
This is currently the most mainstream assembly method and is applicable to most
modern electronic products, such as mobile phones, smart wearables, industrial
control boards, etc.
Through-hole
Assembly:
Insert
the component pins into the vias on the PCB and fix them using wave soldering
or manual soldering. It is suitable for occasions with large power or high
structural requirements, such as transformers, power sockets, connectors and so
on.
Hybrid
Assembly (SMT + Through-hole):
Some
circuit boards contain both surface mount components and through-hole
components, requiring a combination of both techniques. This approach is more
common in industrial and custom products.
Functional
Testing and Inspection:
This
includes automated optical inspection (AOI), X-ray inspection, flying probe
testing, in-circuit testing, ensuring that each circuit board can work normally
and has no soldering defects.
Custom
PCB Design and Assembly Services from PCBasic
PCBasic
provides one-stop PCB solutions from custom PCB design services, manufacturing
to custom circuit board assembly. Whether it's single-chip prototyping or mass
production, it can meet your needs.
1.
Custom PCB Design Services
2.
PCB Fabrication
3.
Custom PCB Assembly
PCBasic is a one-stop custom PCB
manufacturer that brings together quality, speed, and affordability. You don’t need
to juggle multiple vendors—we do it all.
How to
Order Custom PCBs and PCB Assembly from PCBasic
Ordering
a custom PCB and custom PCB assembly from PCBasic is
straightforward:
Step
1: Submit Your Files
Upload
your Gerber files, BOM, and assembly drawings.
Step
2: Instant Quotation
Use
our platform to get a fast quote based on specs, quantity, and lead time.
Step
3: DFM & Engineering Review
Our
engineers review your files for manufacturability and assembly readiness.
Step
4: Prototyping or Mass Production
Whether
it’s custom prototyping or a production run, we deliver as per your
schedule.
Step
5: Delivery
Receive
your fully assembled and tested custom circuit boards, which are ready
for integration.
With
PCBasic, it's never been easier to order custom PCBs and get
full-service custom PCB assembly in one seamless workflow.
Why
Choose PCBasic?
Choosing
PCBasic as your custom PCB manufacturer and assembly partner provides the
following advantages:
• Experienced
Engineers: Over 15 years in custom PCB design and
manufacturing
• End-to-End
Services: From custom prototyping to large-scale
custom circuit board assembly
• Smart
Manufacturing: 9+ SMT lines, AOI, X-ray, and flying
probe testing
• Certifications: ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 13485
• Global
Support: Serving customers in over 50 countries
• Instant
Quotation: Upload files and order custom PCBs
online
With
a proven track record and dedicated service team, PCBasic is a trusted choice
for engineers, startups, and OEMs alike.
Conclusion
In
this era when electronic products are increasingly intelligent and
miniaturized, it is crucial to find the right partners for custom PCB and
custom PCB assembly. From precise custom PCB design to highly reliable custom
circuit board assembly, PCBasic guarantees every step for you.
Whether
you need custom prototyping or medium- and large-scale production, PCBasic can
serve as your core custom PCB manufacturer and provide a reliable solution.
