PCB assembly cost can be one of the most daunting aspects of choosing a new supplier. The cost of the PCB assembly, which is the cost of the PCBs and associated materials that go into making a finished circuit board, can vary significantly depending on the size and complexity of the order. In most cases, the final cost of each PCB assembly order can be calculated based upon the number of boards and the associated material costs.
PCB Assembly Cost Calculator
5 Steps to Calculate PCB Assembly Cost
Step 1: Determine the Costs Involved in the PCBA
The first step in calculating the cost of a PCBA is to determine the actual costs involved in making the circuit boards for the assembly. These costs may include the cost of the boards, the cost of the material used to fabricate the boards, the cost of the labor to assemble the boards, the cost of the components and/or materials used to make the components, and the cost of the tools used to make the components and/or assemble the boards.
Step 2: Identify the Parts of PCBA to Be Calculated
The next step is to identify the parts of the PCB assembly to be calculated. Remember: The cost of each board and its components can vary depending on the size and complexity of the board. The cost of a small PCB assembly may be significantly different than the cost of a large PCB assembly. However, the total cost of the PCB assembly will be the same regardless of the size of the order.
Step 3: Estimate the Quantity and Unit Cost of the Materials
The quantity of each material required to make the PCBs can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the boards. For example, the quantity of copper used in a small PCB is likely to be much less than the quantity of copper used in a large PCB. However, the cost of each type of material is likely to be similar for both small and large PCBs.
Step 4: Add All Unit Costs Together
The costs associated with purchasing and/or fabricating the boards can vary significantly, depending on the manufacturer, the quantity , and the type of boards being made. Unit costs can range from as little as $0.25 per foot for single-sided boards to $0.75 per foot for double-sided boards. As you can see from the table below, the average unit cost of a PCB assembly is around $0.45-$0.65 per foot.
Step 5: Calculate the Total Cost of the PCBA
The total cost of the PCB assembly is the result of adding Step 4’s unit costs together. Generally, the more boards that are used in the assembly, the lower the cost will be due to the economies of scale involved in PCB manufacturing.
Conclusion
The cost of a PCB assembly is determined by four main factors: the quantities of the boards used, the types of boards used, the costs of the boards, and the costs of the materials used in the boards. It’s important to note that the cost of a PCB assembly doesn’t include any associated design or engineering costs. It’s simply the cost of the boards themselves.
The total cost of a PCB assembly will vary greatly depending on the size of the order. The best way to determine the total cost of a PCB assembly is to get a quote from the PCB vendor you plan on working with. Then, once you have the quote, be sure to add 10% for design and engineering fees.
