SMT, through-hole, turnkey, and box build

Compare project requirements for prototypes, production orders, and customer-supplied component kits.

DFM
Review scope by RFQ
BOM
Source rules by BOM
FA
First-article requirements
FCT
Test scope by project

Choose a service model for your project

Compare what you provide, what may be included, and what the quotation will confirm.

Turnkey assembly

You provide
Design files, BOM, quantity, and acceptance requirements.
Quotation scope
The quotation can list PCB fabrication, component sourcing, assembly, and agreed tests.
Delivery
Boards and release records named in the quotation.
Explore turnkey assembly →

Consigned / kitted assembly

You provide
Released files and customer-supplied components.
Quotation scope
The quotation can define kit checks, shortage reporting, and assembly.
Delivery
Boards and material reconciliation as agreed.
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Prototype and small batch

You provide
Current revision, build quantity, and validation goals.
Quotation scope
The quotation can define DFM review, first-article checks, and pilot assembly.
Delivery
Prototype boards and agreed build feedback.
Explore prototype assembly →

Box build

You provide
PCBA, enclosure, harness, firmware, and final-test requirements.
Quotation scope
The quotation can define mechanical integration, programming, and system checks.
Delivery
Integrated assemblies with agreed labels and packing.
Explore box build →
How files, materials and release records are controlled
Before the PO

Define the assembly scope before requesting a quote

Confirm included work, customer responsibilities, and open requirements in the quotation.

Files

Gerber, BOM, and build data

Provide available Gerber files, BOM, placement data, assembly drawings, quantities, and test requirements.

Parts

Alternates and kits

Identify approved sources, permitted substitutes, customer-supplied parts, and long-lead items for review.

Process

Assembly and test scope

Specify SMT/THT work and any coating, programming, or testing to include in the quotation.

Records

Release records

List the inspection records, test logs, labels, and packing documents required with the shipment.

PCB Assembly (SMT, THT, BGA)

For this build, list the board revision, quantity, package mix, and inspection needs. The quotation should confirm the assembly route, available inspections, release records, and feedback included.

  • List placement and handling requirements
  • Identify BGA, LGA, QFN packages and inspection needs
  • Confirm minimum package fit against the design and process
  • Specify wave or selective soldering requirements
  • State lead-free or leaded solder requirements and applicable standards
  • Set prototype, pilot, and repeat-build scope
Representative SMT placement machine with component feeders Representative process image
Representative interior of an SMT pick-and-place machine Representative process image

Bare PCB Fabrication

Specify stack-up, materials, finish, impedance, panelization, and acceptance criteria. Confirm the fabrication source and fit for the released design in the quotation.

  • List layer count, stack-up, and tolerances for review
  • Specify HDI and microvia structures, if required
  • State copper weight and electrical limits
  • Specify aluminum or metal-core substrate requirements
  • List Rogers or high-frequency material requirements
  • State the applicable workmanship class and acceptance criteria
Representative PCB panels in an electroplating line Representative process image

BOM Sourcing & Material Control

Provide MPNs, lifecycle status, and approved-source rules for each BOM line. Identify permitted substitutes, customer-owned parts, long-lead items, and traceability needs; confirm responsibility in the quotation.

  • Buyer- or supplier-procured BOM lines
  • Approved sources and substitute rules
  • Incoming authenticity checks to specify
  • Price or cost-change approval rules
  • Lifecycle and obsolescence questions
  • Shortages, customer stock, and alternate decisions
Electronic component reel storage

Additional work to define in the quotation

List integration, testing, programming, coating, and packing needs. Confirm the included scope and feasibility in the quotation.

Wiring and electronics integration during box build

Box build and integration

List the PCBA, enclosure, cables, labels, accessories, and packing tasks to include; confirm integration and inspection scope in the quotation.

Functional test setup for an assembled PCB

Testing and programming

Specify ICT/FCT or other checks, fixtures, firmware version, pass/fail limits, logs, and programming responsibilities for review.

Magnified visual inspection of PCBA workmanship

Inspection and protective finishes

Specify coating or potting needs, materials, coverage, keep-out zones, cure, and inspection criteria; confirm feasibility for the build.

Specialist services and industry programs

PCB assembly RFQ checklist

Use this list to prepare the quotation inputs. Identify what is available and flag missing files or decisions as open items for the RFQ.

  • Gerber or ODB++, stack-up, copper weight, finish, panel notes
  • BOM with MPNs, alternates, AVL and do-not-substitute rules
  • Placement data, assembly drawing, polarity and board-side notes
  • Quantity breaks, forecast, target date and preferred Incoterm
  • ICT/FCT, firmware, fixture, X-ray, coating, box-build and report needs

Turn available files into a reviewable scope.

List the available files, quantity, and requirements. Note gaps and open questions; the quotation should identify assumptions and included scope.

Start a PCBA RFQ

Guides to define your RFQ

Use these guides to prepare files and define workmanship, testing, traceability, and box-build requirements.

Confirm which records are available

Ask whether the examples below can be shared for the quoted scope. Images are illustrative and are not customer production or test records.

Service path
Evidence to request
When to ask
Turnkey PCBA
Ask whether DFM/BOM comments, approved AVL or substitutions, traveler, and inspection/test records can be included.
During RFQ, first-article review, or shipment release.
Prototype / NPI
Ask whether a missing-file list, DFM notes, first-article photos, issue log, and revision-linked feedback can be shared.
Before the build and after sample review.
SMT / BGA
Ask whether SPI/AOI snapshots, stencil or reflow notes, X-ray images, and acceptance criteria can be provided.
Before line release and after inspection.
ICT / FCT / Programming
Ask whether fixture photos, test procedures, firmware version, pass/fail logs, and acceptance notes are included.
Before fixture build and shipment.
Box build
Ask whether assembly instructions, cable/label checks, functional results, and packing photos can be provided.
At pre-production review and pack-out approval.

Request only records that can be shared. For examples from sensitive programs, use customer-approved redactions and keep only details cleared for release.

Illustrative engineering-workstation image; not a customer project record
Illustrative engineering imageExample of a design review. Confirm files, revision and open questions for the quoted build.
Illustrative test-fixture image; not a customer test record
Illustrative test-fixture imageSpecify probe access, electrical interfaces and acceptance criteria; confirm fixture scope.
Test evidence to requestAsk whether a test setup or results can be shared for the quoted scope.
Box-build scopeList integration, inspection, labeling and packing tasks for the product.
Inspection scopeDefine workmanship criteria, inspection method and release evidence for the lot.
Material-handling scopeAgree identification, storage, inventory and shortage records for supplied components.

Agree what happens at each stage

Agree responsibilities, checks, and records for the order before work is released.

1. RFQ and design review

Share available files, quantities and target dates. The quotation should list missing inputs, open assumptions and scope to confirm.

2. PCB and BOM

Confirm board construction, BOM revision, approved sources, substitutes and customer-supplied parts.

3. Assembly scope

Specify the SMT/THT operations, package handling, programming or integration tasks to include.

4. Inspection and test

List inspection methods, test coverage, acceptance limits and records; confirm feasibility for the proposed site.

5. Packing and delivery

Agree packing, labels, destination, delivery terms and required shipment documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

MOQ depends on the board, build stage, and material status. Share the target quantity so fit for the proposed site can be confirmed.

List the PCB fabrication, sourcing, assembly, inspection, testing, and delivery steps to price. The quote confirms included work, responsibilities, and proposed site.

Start with board type, target quantity, and schedule. Gerber, BOM, placement data, assembly drawings, and test requirements help set scope when available.

State approved-source rules, permitted substitutes, customer-supplied parts, traceability, and receiving checks. Confirm responsibility for each BOM line in the quote.

List parts by BOM line, quantity, lot or date-code rules, delivery timing, packaging, and substitution limits. Agree receiving, storage, shortages, and unused-material handling in the quote.

Yes. Request an NDA by email and agree confidentiality and access requirements before sharing sensitive project files.

Specify test purpose, electrical interfaces, pass/fail limits, firmware version, and required records. Confirm fixture design, build, and use are included before ordering.

State destination, requested date, packing, delivery terms, shipment documents, and whether staged releases are needed. Confirm feasible options in the quote.

Send the files you have.

Send the files and requirements available. The quotation should identify open inputs, assumptions, and the scope proposed for review.

Agree confidentiality, access, and data-masking requirements before sharing sensitive files.

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