What do I need to get a quote?
Just provide us with an ASCII netlist from your layout software and answer a few questions about your board. We’ll need to know the board size (unless you want us to determine it), whether you want parts on one or both sides of the board, and if you have any special features, like a particular shape, RF traces, matched line lengths, or if you need components or mounting holes placed in particular locations
How long will it take to get my quote?
If your board has no special requirements we will deliver a quote within one working day of receiving your information. If we need more information from you it may take two days after we get your details.
Are you going to Auto-Route my boards?
No, experienced PCB designers who have been supporting our in-house design engineers for years perform our layouts. They provide the ‘common sense’ and expertise that auto-routers lack. They know how to optimize a board for manufacture and keep it within IPC specs. They’re also experts at meeting regulatory requirements for UL, CE, and all major certifications.
How soon will my layout be done?
Boards vary from simple to complex, but we’ll tell you how long it will take when we quote your boards. Our layout team is fast, but will take the time required to ensure that you receive a quality layout. We will have two reviews with you; one at part placement and one after routing. Your response time at these two points will impact our delivery time, but we plan ahead, so you can too!
What if I don’t like the layout?
We have two check-points in the layout process to make sure that the layout you receive will meet your needs. We’ll send you check prints and schedule a review after the board outline is done and components have been placed, then again after routing. These are opportunities for you to provide feedback to ensure a successful design. If you have design requirements that fall outside the originally provided information we can quote further changes.
My quote seems excessive
Give us a call or an email, and tell us why. We’re refining our quoting process all the time. Your board may have features that are throwing off our calculations. If you draw our attention to it, we’ll give your layout a closer review and modify our quote and our quoting process if you help us identify a shortcoming.
How do I get a netlist ?
We can help you. If you had your design performed out of house, you may have a .net or .asc file that is the netlist, or we can help you extract one from your schematic entry program. Let us know and we’ll have an engineer contact you.
My board needs to fit in a particular case / location. How can we make that work?
Give us a call or an email and we’ll have an engineer get back to you. If you have a mechanical drawing of what you want we can work from that. If you don’t, we can design one for you.
How do I review my board during the check points?
We’ll send you plots in PDF format for you to look at ahead of time. At that time we’ll also schedule a ‘live’ review. During the live review we’ll teleconference with you using a simple online conferencing program so that you and your layout engineer can see the board and discuss potential changes in real time.
How can I be sure my board is properly designed for manufacture (DFM)?
Leave it to us! Our experienced engineers will provide you a list of suggestions if there are manufacturability issues with your design. We’ll then work with you to make your board what you want.
What about testability?
Our engineers have extensive experience with designing for test, as well. Whether you want simple MDA (Manufacturing Defect Analysis) or more comprehensive functional testing, we can design with those goals in mind – just let us know!
What will you deliver?
We’ll deliver a complete set of Gerbers, including drill chart, and mechanical drawings – everything a board house needs to make your board.
What if I need other engineering help?
Let us know – we have electrical, software and mechanical engineers – an entire design team, plus manufacturing facilities. We regularly take projects from concept through production and product sustaining – we can help you with any step in the process. Give us a call or an email and we’ll have an engineer get back to you