PCB Tech - What are the cost factors that affect the price of PCB?

The main factors affecting the price of PCB are still to find the answer from the material and process. The same kind of PCB board may have a high price for PCB from some factories, and some price is very low, forming a comparison of the two price differences, which may be due to its materials and processes. The above differences result in two different prices. Now let’s talk about the specific price differences.

1. The different materials used in PCB cause the price diversity

For example, the ordinary double-sided board, the sheet material generally has FR4 (Shengyi, Kingboard,

Guoji, three prices from top to bottom), the board thickness ranges from 0.2mm to 3.0mm, and the copper thickness varies from 0.5oz to 3oz. All of these have caused a huge price difference in the sheet material; in terms of solder mask ink, there is also a certain price difference between ordinary thermosetting oil and photosensitive green oil.

2. Different surface treatment processes cause price diversity

The common ones are: OSP (anti-oxidation), lead spray tin, lead-free tin spray (environmental protection), gold plating, gold immersion, and some combination processes, etc. The prices of the above processes become more expensive as they go.

3, the price diversity caused by the difficulty of PCB itself

Two kinds of circuit boards have 1000 holes. One board has a hole diameter greater than 0.2mm and the other board has a hole diameter of less than 0.2mm, which will result in different drilling costs. All types are greater than 4mil, and one type is less than 4mil, which will also cause different production costs; secondly, some designs that do not follow the ordinary board process flow are also extra money, such as half-holes, buried blind holes, holes in the disk, and buttons Board printing carbon oil.

4, the different thickness of copper foil causes price diversity

Common copper and platinum thicknesses are: 18um (1/2OZ), 35um (1OZ), 70um (2OZ), 105um (3OZ), 140um (4OZ), etc. The thickness of the above copper foil becomes more expensive as it goes back.

5. Mold fee and test stand

(1) Mold cost. For prototypes and small batches, the general plate factory uses the drilling and milling shape, and there will be no additional milling fees. When making large quantities, mold punching is required, so there is a set of mold costs. The board factory generally quotes above RMB 1,000.

(2) Test fee: The prototype is generally tested by flying probes, and the board factory generally charges a test fee ranging from 100-400 yuan; a test rack is required to test in batches, and the general board manufacturer's quotation is between 1,000-1,500 yuan.

6. Order quantity/delivery time

(1) The smaller the quantity, the more expensive the price is, because even if it is 1PCS, the board factory has to do the engineering data, and the film is out, whichever process is indispensable

(2) Delivery time: The data delivered to the PCB factory must be complete (GERBER information, the number of layers of the board, the thickness of the board, what to do with the surface treatment, the color of the ink, the color of the character and some special requirements must be clearly written)

Basically, the main factors affecting PCB price differentiation are probably the above points. In fact, it is not that the smaller the quantity, the cheaper the price, but the higher the unit price. Because of the small batch of boards, the factory needs to produce engineering materials, film, and testing., Abrasive tools, etc., these processes will increase the cost instead, so you must be mentally prepared when ordering small batches of PCB, but usually the price of PCB will not be much higher.