If you’re new to PCBA or simply don’t have the budget to equip the PCBA unit, there’s an easy way out. You can speak to a turnkey PCBA partner, which will be a highly economic way of getting your electronics PCBA manufactured in a low budget. This article is a standalone guide to turnkey PCB assembly and how to get things started with it.
What does “turnkey” mean in PCB assembly?
Turnkey is a common English word that can be translated to “complete” or “ready to use”. In simple words, anything that can be defined as a turnkey is complete and is ready to use by the client.
What’s turnkey PCB assembly?
In the world of electronics, turnkey PCBA or turnkey PCB assembly means that you as a client will get a complete PCB assembled by a turnkey PCBA partner.
For instance, if you reach out to IBE Electronics and ask them to get your circuit design idea turned into a full-fledged PCBA, they’ll take care of the entire process and will deliver you the full-working PCBA. You just have to put the turnkey PCBA in your device’s plastic housing and the product is ready to use.
What are the types of turnkey PCB assembly?
Turnkey assembly is classified in different types:
1.Full turnkey assembly
Under the full turnkey assembly, you leave all the responsibility from designing to delivery to the supplier. Your supplier is responsible for each step involved in the turnkey PCB assembly. You, as a client, are just responsible for timely payment, accepting the delivery, and giving your design.
2.Partial turnkey assembly
The partial turnkey assembly is where you and your PCB supplierTop 40 PCB manufacturers in China: listed companies are partially responsible for some parts in the PCB assembly. For instance, your supplier might assemble the components, but you might be responsible for the procurement of the raw materials.
While that’s just an example of how responsibilities can be distributed among the client and supplier, the entire PCB assembly process can be distributed among both the parties upon mutual understanding.
Advantages and disadvantages of turnkey PCB assembly
Advantages
- Turnkey PCBA helps reduce the stress and burden from the clients since the supplier will be responsible for turning a raw idea into full-fledged working PCBA.
- Cost can be reduced to a great extent, since your PCBA supplier can reach out to their raw materials supplier to procure raw materials at a low price.
- Your PCBA supplier has the most brilliant minds working in the unit, who can tackle all the complexities during the process. As a result, there will no chance of faulty product and you’ll get a fantastic PCBA delivered.
Disadvantages
- If you have a project idea in mind and don’t want to share the confidential information, perhaps turnkey PCB assembly would not be a suitable fit for you.
- Your supplier can always delay the delivery, which can result in delayed product launch and market loss.
- If there’s a shortage of raw materials on a global scale, you will have to wait for the shortage to get resolved, which can slow down your business.
Full Turnkey Vs. Partial Turnkey
- Responsibilities on the supplier and client
In the full turnkey PCBA, the client will be responsible for limited to no stress. For instance, they’ll be required to take care of placing the order, receiving the deliverables, and staying in contact with the supplier. The supplier will be responsible for paying all the bills on the client behalf.
In partial turnkey PCBA, the client can be responsible for 20% to 80% of the PCBA process, that can include but is not limited to raw materials procurement, paying all the bills (since the supplier might not take that responsibility), etc.
- Cost effectiveness
Full turnkey PCBA can at times prove to be less cost-efficient than partial turnkey PCBA since the supplier can include their profit margin in the raw materials and shipment.
On the other hand, if opting for partial turnkey PCBA, you can save the cost by eliminating the profit margin of the supplier in raw materials procurement and shipping charges.
What are the steps of turnkey PCB assembly?
The steps of turnkey PCBA include:
1.The client will reach out to the supplier, share their idea, and get a quote of the entire project after choosing partial or full turnkey process.
2.The supplier will design a raw draft of the idea and figure out all the required components.
3.Raw materials will be procured and the supplier will create layers of PCB and drill holes in it. ( PCB drilling)
4.A copper plate will be added and the layers will be stacked on top of each other and stick with an adhesive.
5.After applying adhesive, the PCB will be baked.
6.The components will now be embedded and soldered on the PCB to make a PCBA. (PCB soldering)
7.The supplier will carry out tests for validation and verification of the PCBA. (PCBA testing)
8.The client will either collect the order from the factory or get it delivered to their warehouse as per the contract with the supplier.
What are the turnkey PCB mounting techniques commonly used?
The electronic components are embedded on the PCB without drilling any holes, hence the name surface mount. The components on the surface mount technology are smaller, enabling high routing density.
2.Through-hole Mount Technology:
The manufacturer will drill holes for components placement and will solder them in the holes. This is the most common technique nowadays.
What factors should be considered when choosing a turnkey PCB assembly partner?
- Always choose a supplier after having a look at their portfolio. See their work history and success rate to determine their efficiency and proficiency in the industry.
- Choose a supplier by getting a clear quote and speaking to them for some time. You can speak to them to figure out if they sound technically advanced and professional.
- Ask them for their approach to solving your project requirements.
Conclusion
After reading this article till here, the concept of turnkey PCBA should be clear by now. After getting a clear idea of turnkey PCBA, the next thing to do is to reach out to a proficient and sound supplier of turnkey PCBA, such as IBE Electronics. IBE Electronics fulfills all the needs of a turnkey PCBA client, therefore, IBE Electronics is a quick solution to your turnkey PCBA requirements.
- Full turnkey assembly
Under the full turnkey assembly, you leave all the responsibility from designing to delivery to the supplier. - Partial turnkey assembly
The partial turnkey assembly is where you and your PCB supplier are partially responsible for some parts in the PCB assembly.
1.Surface Mount:
The electronic components are embedded on the PCB without drilling any holes, hence the name surface mount.
2.Through-hole Mount:
The manufacturer will drill holes for components placement and will solder them in the holes.
- Always choose a supplier after having a look at their portfolio.
- Choose a supplier by getting a clear quote and speaking to them for some time.
- Ask them for their approach to solving your project requirements.
