Four Basic Ways to Reduce the Cost of Your Printed Circuit Board
If you are looking for a PCB assembly quote that will fit into your budget, what you are really looking for are ways to keep things simple and effective. You want a design that will achieve your goals while being as direct and effective as possible.
With PCBs, there are things you absolutely need. At the same time, you want all of those things to fit into the smallest place possible, all the while being easy to read. You might think this is a big ask, but there is a happy medium out there for your PCB assembly quote. Circuit board assembly services can help you meet both your PCB fabrication goals as well as the goals you have for your budget. Here are four basic ways you can reduce the cost of your PCB fabrication and assembly.
1.) Reduce the complexity of your PCB
Creating a simple board and reviewing that board to optimize it is one of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of your PCB assembly quote. Go over the many different design options your manufacturer is giving you to determine how to keep it as simple as possible. You want to optimize the elements of your board while, at the same time, keeping it on a small form factor that still gives you the appropriate clearance for all elements.
2.) Make sure you size it right
If the board you want is very complex and tiny, it is actually going to cost you even more. The manufacturer will have to spend more time and effort getting the board together. You want to save space whenever possible, but don’t necessarily equate smaller size with less money. Always remember that common shapes is a solid way to reduce costs and you PCB assembly quote should reflect that.
3.) Keep the board consistent
One of the ways you can keep the cost of printed circuit boards down is by getting multiple boards done in the same order. If you can do this, try to keep as many of the boards as consistent as possible in the design. Using similar shapes and designs will make the process easier for the manufacturer and you will be able to skim a little bit off of your budget.
4.)Identify areas where you just can’t skimp
While what has been discussed is about how to save money on your PCBs, sometimes there are things on which you simply cannot skimp. Trying to save money by using inferior materials or substituting items for your core elements that will not perform as well will not save you money in the end. Figure out where you can save safely and then spend where you just cannot skimp.
