The Prototype PCB Industry

In PCB fabrication, the panelization process reduces costs and optimizes material's use

Lake Oswego, OR (prHWY.com) May 18, 2014 - For a number of years, prototype Circuit Board sellers in USA and Canada have been utilizing board panelization to decrease material and tooling rates. Using panelization, Prototype PCB orders with identical specification are grouped together on a panel. The greater the on a panel, the less material wasted. The more orders grouped into a panel, the larger the spread of tooling rates. To quickly complete the panels with PCB orders, most dealers need the circuit boards to have "standards specs" like FR4 Tg 130 material, 1 oz copper, green solder mask on both sides, white silkscreen (top, bottom or both sides). The two most popular finishes provided are tin/lead and lead-free.

Prices for prototype PCB vary greatly among the sellers that use this panelization method. North American sellers that do not have access to panelization software cannot compete in the prototype Printed Circuit Boards market. You can pay as low as $25 per board or as much as $300. The bigger the board and the shorter the lead time, the more you pay. Some stores add an extra charge for testing.

In China, PCB board panelization technology has not become common yet. The outlets in China have conventionally focused on larger production runs. Their equipment costs are not as high. But now as they are getting more into the prototype Printed Circuit Board market, they will start panelizing boards.

PCB Unlimited in Portland, Oregon offers both US and offshore prototype PCBs. For more details click on Prototype PCB.

The unit prices for a minimum quantity of 4 boards are shown below.

US Prototype PCB
2 Layers $25 - $100 (3 day turn)
4 Layers $50 - $130 (5 day turn)
6 Layers $90 - $100 (5 day turn)
8 Layers $140 - $240 (6 day turn)

Offshore Prototype PCB
$15 - $25 (4 day turn)
$35 - $45 (7 day turn)
$70 - $90 (9 day turn)
$100 - $120 (11 day turn)

For more information click on US Prototype PCB
For more information click on Offshore Prototype PCB

According to Agustin Araujo, CEO of PCB Unlimited, the prototype PCB industry is becoming more and more fragmented. Our goal is to offer the best possible solutions to all our customers including those who are price sensitive like students and hobbyists. The quality of the prototype PCBs is as good as the ones fabricated in the US. The lead times are not very long and the shipping cost from China to any location in the US and Canada is as low as $30.

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Tag Words: prototype circuit board, prototype pcb, pcb manufacturing

Categories: Electronics

Press Release Contact
PCB Unlimited, Inc.
4749 Hastings Place
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
United States
phone: (800) 348-9250 or (503) 639-7601

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