FAQ

Find answers to common questions about our PCB & PCBA services

Ordering FAQ

We respect customer's copyright and will never manufacture PCBs for someone else with your files unless we receive written permission from you, nor we'll share these files with any other third parties. At your request, we can sign an NDA for extra security.

Yes, we can manufacture PCBs in any volume. MOQ =1pcs

One piece, or one PCB panel

Even though our pricing is very low, you can still discuss price with us to meet your target in cost reduction.

Yes, we offer full silkscreen as one of our standard cost PCB options, at no additional charge.

Yes

For a turnkey order, we require a bill of materials (BOM), and your board designs in either Gerber or ODB++ format. Additionally, fabrication or assembly drawings, or any special instructions specific to the project. We provide preliminary quotes based on early Gerber files if your design is not fully completed.

Technical FAQ

Our standard laminate thickness is 1.6 mm (0.063")

0.3mm 0.4mm 0.6mm 0.8mm 1.0mm 1.2mm 2.0mm 2.4mm 3.0mm 3.2mm 4mm 6mm

Yes, we can

We can offer 0.5 oz, 1.0 oz, 1.5 oz, 2.0 oz, 2.5 oz, 3.0 oz, and heavy copper PCB options at 3.5 oz, 4.0 oz, 4.5 oz, and 5.0 oz.

We can process Gerber RS-274X, ODB++ files, PCB file and BRD files.

No, as these formats do not translate to our PCB fabrication machinery.

We use green Liquid Photo Imageable (LPI) solder mask for our PCB production.

No, the solder mask is standard option for our prototypes, so all boards are produced with solder mask and this doesn't increase the price.

Green, black, blue, red, yellow and white solder masks.

HASL, Immersion Gold, Immersion Tin, Immersion Silver, OSP, Hard Gold, and Soft Gold, and more.

PCBA FAQ

If the parts in your Bill of Materials (BOM) are common and we don't have any of the parts in our inventory, we will order them in bulk. If we typically stock the parts you have selected, you will only need to pay a small fee or no fee at all for those parts. For uncommon parts listed in your BOM, we usually order 5% or 5 spare parts (depending on size and cost) to complete your order without the risk of losing or running short on parts due to production losses. We bear the cost of production losses, so you don't have to worry about paying any additional fees. If we encounter any issues with the BOM components, such as a large minimum order quantity for a particular part, we will communicate with you to find the best solution. POE has a team of 35 procurement engineers to handle all BOM part quotations and procurement. We provide quotes within 24 hours or up to 7 days, depending on the BOM. We procure all components both domestically and internationally in China, and we have access to discounted prices from local distributors or suppliers we have been working with for over 10 years.

The overall lead time for the project is the sum of the lead time for component procurement and PCB assembly. However, we try to shorten the time by streamlining the PCB assembly process. For example, once we receive the Gerber files for your PCB manufacturing and the BOM for PCB assembly, we will start preparing the templates for your circuit board and proceed with manufacturing while the component procurement process is ongoing.

Bill of Materials (BOM) - complete information in Excel format. The file should include manufacturer names, part numbers, reference designators, component descriptions, and quantities.

Centroid data (also known as pick-and-place or XY coordinate data). Any other requirements or assembly instructions, if applicable.

Yes, we can perform partial assembly. Please indicate in the BOM which components should be excluded ("Do Not Include" or DNI) or not placed (DNP) to let us know which components you do not want to be assembled.

Yes, a combination of manual soldering and automated soldering can be used. If there are no specific requirements, manual soldering is used for prototypes (machines are required).

Yes, we can do that. This practice is known as partial turnkey. You can provide some components, and we will procure the remaining components on your behalf. We will seek your approval for anything that we are uncertain about. If there is a need for component cross-reference or substitution, we will seek your final approval.

Yes, we have the capability to handle BGAs with a 0.25mm pitch through X-ray testing. There are two designs for BGAs: one with through-holes on the pads and one with shorter traces connecting to holes near the pads. We need to cover and fill all the through-holes near the BGA pads with solder mask to ensure soldering quality. However, for through-holes on the pads, we need to fill them with resin to ensure good soldering quality.

Excess components do exist because we request an overage percentage for consigned/turnkey orders, or we purchase more components for bulk orders for the same purpose. You can request us to ship back these unused components along with the assembled boards, or we can keep them on our shelf for your future orders. It's up to you. Additionally, for testing and evaluation in your lab, you can also order regular components from us for free.

Yes, it fully complies with RoHS standards, and if needed, we can also provide PCBA services with leaded components.

Yes, we have the capabilities to fulfill any type of custom SMT prototype board requirements.

If you encounter any defects or quality issues with the PCBs upon receipt and are unsatisfied, please notify us at all@poe-pcba.com. We will repair or remake your PCBs, and we will respond within 8 hours until you are satisfied.

Yes, that's not a problem. However, we offer PCB manufacturing, component procurement, and PCB assembly in a continuous and smooth manner to save our customers' time and money.