FAQs
Welcome to GREATPCB
Providing PCB manufacturing and PCB assembly services to electronics industry
1. Who is GreatPCB?
GreatPCB is manufacturer specializing in PCB prototyping, low-volume production and PCB Assembly service under one roof. GreatPCB strives to be the easiest manufacturer for engineers to work with. GreatPCB – PCB Prototype the Easy Way!
2. What is your business hours?
We have salespeople responding to your email requests or processing your online order once we receive them. We start to review your details whenever your order or email reaches us. We work 7/24/365.
3. How can you manufacture PCBs (Prototype and production) at such a low price?
The vision of GreatPCB is to be the world’s easiest manufacturers of all type of PCBs fabrication, and this implies that GreatPCB should be responsible for saving you money, that is why we MUST keep the price low. Our large number of daily orders ensure we can greatly reduce the materials’ spending and labor cost. Furthermore, we constantly improve our equipment and develop technical and managerial systems that adapt to flexible setups of machines suitable for fabricating very small number of PCBs without affecting the lead time, cost and quality. All these factors make GreatPCB your one-stop destination of PCBs of low cost.
4. What if I am dissatisfied with PCBs from GreatPCB?
If you find any defects with your PCBs upon receipt in you hand, or if you feel any dissatisfaction about our products or services, please immediately let us know via [email protected], we will respond within 24 hours. We will serve you till you are finally satisfied. We will either repair or re-fabricate your PCB if quality issue occurs, or we will refund full amount to you without returning the defective PCBs. You may also choose to credit your GreatPCB.com account and you may use the credit for your future orders with us.
5. How can I track the fabrication and shipping status of my order?
We have developed the industry-leading system of easily tracking the fabrication status online in your account with GreatPCB.com. You can also track the shipping status after we send out your PCBs to your address through API of DHL. It is easy and fun!
6. Can I cancel order if I feel I can not receive my PCBs due to GreatPCB’s fault after tracking the fabrication status online?
We promise 100% satisfaction and we are keeping a record of 99% on-time delivery! If you feel you can not receive your PCBs as scheduled due to our fault, you can cancel the order and ask for full refund or credit your GreatPCB.com account for payment of your next order.
7. How does your privacy policy work?
We respect the privacy of all our customers. We promise we will never share your personal information with any third parties.
8. What is ITAR?
ITAR, International Traffic in Arms Regulations, controls the export and import of defense-related articles and services on the United States Munitions List (USML). Please inform us if your PCBs are ITAR compliant or not after you place orders with us. For details of ITAR, please go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITAR and http://pmddtc.state.gov/
9. How can I get a quote?
At GreatPCB.com, you can use our hassle-free online quote system to get your price instantly and immediately after you input a few parameters online. Of course you can still ask for a traditional quotation request by sending email to [email protected] and our service person will quote within 24 hours, do not forget to enclose your Gerber files and all other necessary files for PCB quotation.
10. When does the turn-time begin?
Due to the complexity of how to determine the turn time of PCB fabrication, our policy is that turn-time begins immediately after your Gerber files and all other necessary files being received, reviewed by us and re-approved by your side. When all these reviews and approvals are done, we will start fabrication immediately.
11. Are your PCBs RoHS Compliant?
Yes. But we also offer leaded PCBs.
12. Why do I need to panelize my boards?
Panelization is needed when your PCB dimension is smaller than 50mmx100mm, or when your PCB is of any shapes (circular, or odd shape) other than rectangle, your boards must be panelized in an array for fabrication. You can pre-panelize at your side, or we can also panelize for you. In the latter case, we will send the panelization file back to you for your approval before fabrication begins. Panelization is a MUST if your PCBs will use surface mounting machines for assembly.
13. Why do I need to design Break-away Rails (Break-away Tabs) ?
If the clearance between the board’s edge and copper features is less than 3.5mm (138mil), or your boards need to be panelized for some reason, Break-away rails (Break-away tabs) must be added at the two longer paralleled edges of the boards to ensure that the boards can be assembled by the SMT machine.
14. Can GreatPCB.com change my way of shipment?
Yes, but it is based on the perception that the NEW way of shipping will be speedier for the shipping box reaching your address earlier than the previously chosen courier. All we do is to ensure your best possible ordering experiences with GreatPCB.com.
15. What if courier company (DHL etc.,) fails to deliver my PCBs as scheduled?
This does happen from time to time, though pretty rare. If this happens, please contact courier company for updated time of delivery. Though legally we are not responsible for the delay, we still will track or phone call courier company for updates. The worst case is that we will remake PCBs for you and re-ship to you. For the extra courier charges, we may talk to courier company for compensation.
16. Who will be responsible for the customs duty that may be levied at my country?
As PCBWay.com fabricate your PCBs in our facilities in Shenzhen China, we ship internationally to your country. As the customs policy in different countries may differ, some customs authorities in some countries may levy customs duty on imported PCBs. If this happens, it is your responsibility to pay. In many countries, the duty may be waived or exempted.
17. What are your capabilities of PCB fabrication?
We have capabilities of manufacturing most of the PCBs for our customers. If you find your PCBs need special processing or you are not sure if we have the ability to produce or not, please contact us at [email protected] for an answer, attaching your Gerber files and all other files or drawings for us to assess if we can do or not. For the full list of our PCB Capabilities, please refer to Capabilities
1. Who is GreatPCB.com?
GreatPCB is manufacturer specializing in PCB prototyping, low-volume production and PCB Assembly service under one roof. GreatPCB strives to be the easiest manufacturer for engineers to work with. GreatPCB – PCB Prototype the Easy Way!
2. Do you accept to assemble the boards that are not made by GreatPCB?
Currently we do not use other’s PCB to assemble at our facilities. We offer the PCB fabrication, parts sourcing and PCB assembly in a continuous and smooth manner to save our customer’s time and money.
3. What files and documents do you request for my PCBA orders?
We need Gerber files, Centroid data and BOM for your PCBA orders. As have already placed your PCB order with us, actually you only need to send the latter two if your PCB Gerber files have included the layers of silkscreen, copper track and solder paste. If your PCB Gerber files are missing any of the above-mentioned three layers, please resend them, as this is the minimum request for PCBA. For the best possible result, please also send assembly drawings, instructions and photos to us to avoid any ambiguous and even mistaken placement of parts, though these are not required by most of the assemblers.
4. What is Centroid?
Centroid is the special file for assembly used for quickly programming the assembly machines. This is also known as aka Insertion, Pick-N-Place, or XY Data. Some of the CAD tools will automatically generate this file and some not, but you may need to modify the file and then generate the Centroid file. The Centroid file describes the position and orientation of all the surface mount parts, which includes the reference designator, X and Y position, rotation and side of Board (Top or Bottom). Only surface mounting parts are listed in the Centroid.
5. How do you request for the shipping and marking of the parts for the consigned or kitted order?
We hope you can mark on any individual package or box with the corresponding line number on BOM, manufacturer’s part# or customer’s part#, quantities. A detailed packing list is preferred to enable us to count and check upon receipt of your parts.
6. What is your requirement on the parts overages for consigned/kitted PCBA?
Unused and excessive parts supplied by you or purchased by us will not be returned by default. If you want the parts to be sent back to you with the assembled boards, please contact your service representitive or make a note on your related order, and let us know which parts to send.
SMT parts which are not supplied on reels should be on one continuous strip of tape.
If you need to assemble the same SMT part in different boards, do not cut them into strips, please keep them in the continuous strip of tape or on the reels.
Resistors, Capacitors, Diodes (0603, 0805, 1206, 2225, SOT, SOD, MELF – packages) require a minimum of 50 pieces and have to exceed the required quantity by 30 pieces. (e.g.: assemble quantity 40 pieces – we will need 70 pieces – this meets our minimum of 50 pieces plus 30 pieces over assemble quantity).
Resistors, Capacitors, Diodes (0201, 0402, miniMelf, miniature packages) require a minimum of 100 pieces have to exceed the required quantity by 50 pieces. (e.g.: assemble quantity 80 pieces – we will need 130 pieces- this meets our minimum of 100 pieces plus 50 pieces over assemble quantity).
A small number of excess(1-5 pieces based on the total quantity of assemblies) is requested for expensive parts such as IC, BGA, QFP, Connectors, etc., this will ensure smooth assembling and shipping your assembled boards on time. If you have any question or doubt, please send more extra or contact us for answers.
7. Can you source some parts for my assembly?
Yes. This practice is called partial Turn-key. You can supply some parts, and we source the rest of the parts on your behalf. We will ask for your approval for anything that is not sure at our side. In case parts crossing or substitution is needed, we will again ask for your final approval.
8. Do you assemble BGA? Any special requirement on this?
Yes, We have the ability to handle BGA of 0.25mm pitch with X-ray testing. For BGAs, there are two designs with via on pad and via near pad connected by shorter trace. We need to tent and fill any vias near pad of the BGAs with solder mask to ensure the soldering quality. But for vias on pad, we need to fill via with resin to make sure good soldering quality.
9. How do you handle the excessive and unused parts?
Excessive parts do exist because we will ask for some percentage of overage for consigned/kitted orders, or we will buy more for the same purpose for those Turn-key orders. You can either ask us to ship back to you these unused parts together with the loaded boards, or keep them in our shelf for your next order. All up to you.
10. How do you quote the total price of PCBA service?
Our online instant quote system gives the rough idea of the cost of PCBA which include the tooling, laser cut steel stencil, and labor. In case of Turn-key or partial Turn-key PCBA, the cost of parts will be added.
11. When does the turn-time begin?
Due to the complexity of how to determine the turn time of PCBA services, our policy is that turn-time begins immediately after all the parts and PCBs are ready and all the PCB files (Gerber files/other PCB files, etc.,) , Centroid (Pick & Place PNP file, or XY Data or files in other formats), BOM, and all other necessary data or documents/images/photos are complete for our assembly work.
12. Is your assembly RoHS Compliant?
Yes. But we also offer leaded PCBA services.
13. Why do I need to panelize my boards?
Panelization is needed when your PCB dimension is smaller than 50mmx100mm, or when your PCB is of any shapes (circular, or odd shape) other than rectangle, your boards must be panelized in an array for assembly. As we also fabricate your PCB for you, so once we start fabricating your boards we will have the panelization file (solder paste data), we will transfer the data to PCBA department to create the stencil to match the panelized PCB.
14. Why do I need to design Break-away Rails (Break-away Tabs) ?
If the clearance between the board’s edge and copper features is less than 3.5mm (138mil), or your boards need to be panelized for some reason, Break-away rails (Break-away tabs) must be added at the two longer paralleled edges of the boards to ensure that the boards can be assembled by the machine. This enables the boards can be processed by the SMT machine.
15. What if I find any defects or problems after I received your assembled boards?
Defects and problems may occur from time to time, as PCBA is a complex work which involves many details. If you find any defects or problems, please let us know immediately, and we will evaluate and review the problems, and we will make a decision of how to remedy. We will either repair/rework or remake your boards. In case we need the defective boards, we may ask you to send them back to us. We guarantee a functional board in your hand!
16. What are your PCB Assembly standards?
IPC-A-610 Class 2.
17. What is your turn time on a Turn-key order?
As we need to source all the parts for Turn-key orders, the turn time largely depends on how quick we can get all the parts. We will let you know through everyday email communications. Before all parts are ready, we will fabricate the PCBs and start to make the stencil so that we can start assembly immediately after we get the parts.
What should I do to change gerber file, parts and BOM during soldering?
1.Change board (What should I do to change new gerber file for producing new PCB?)
a: Parts checking stage (We just check the parts and do not begin soldering)
- Please redesign the wrong pads according to the suggested pads design on data sheet of parts and it is better to check other pads to see is it with mistake or not. Then using the new gerber file to make a new PCB order on our website and make a note to replace previous PCB. When making new order, please make sure the order parameter is the same as before.
- Tell us the new order number and the place that you adjusted on new order. It is also necessary to tell us the way that you need us to treat for your previous wrong PCBs. You can ask us to ship the wrong PCBs to you or throw it away.
- If you need to update the BOM, please highlight the new parts added on the BOM and we will quote the new parts that you added on BOM.
b: Sample picture confirming stage(We already soldered all the SMD parts)
We need to remove all the SMD parts on old wrong PCB and solder again on new PCB.
2.Chaning parts
a: It is really important to confirm the new parts can match pads on PCB. So we can avoid the problem to purchase wrong parts and wave money and time.
b: Please tell us the way that you need us to do for the wrong parts. You can choose to ship those parts together with your PCB or just ask us to throw it away.
3.Changing BOM
a: Please tell us the places that you changed on new BOM
b: Please make sure the description can match model number on BOM for every parts.
c: Please make sure the QTY needed and designators matched on PCB.
d: Please write “DNP” for those parts that do not need us to solder and it is better to add
Strikethrough on that line.
4.Why the PTH parts do not solder on PCB when checking sample pictures?
We just put the PTH parts on the position it should be during sample pictures stage. After customers confirmed the sample picture, we will solder those PTH parts on PCB. That is for easy correction after customers found position or direction problems of PTH parts.
If we have some pads that not soldered by you and do not need paste, what should we do?
A. It is important to not design the opening of those pads on paste layer that do not need us to solder and add paste.
B.Add a note for your SMT order that do not add paste for those pads not soldered by us.
How to avoid the problem that missing to solder the parts on centroid file but not show on BOM?
Normally we purchased and solder the parts according to your BOM. And centroid file is just used to confirm the position of each parts, so it is important to make sure that BOM included all the parts you need.
Why the PTH parts do not solder on PCB when checking sample pictures?
We just put the PTH parts on the position it should be during sample pictures stage. After customers confirmed the sample picture, we will solder those PTH parts on PCB. That is for easy correction after customers found position or direction problems of PTH parts.
1. The question of component dimension is bigger than the land pattern in the design.
There are some constantly assembly questions when the factory verify the component with the boards after the boards and component arrived completely.
Q:SMD Component dimension is bigger than the land pattern in the design, blocked the nearby pads on the boards,can’t be soldered.
A: Please refer the data-sheet of component dimension and recommended PCB layout re-design and re-manufacture the boards or provide alternative MPN.
For some big dimension component please keep enough land pattern gap with nearby pads to prevent conflict.
Q: Through hole components conflicted with nearby components.
A: Soldered the SMD components firstly,and soldered through hole component float on the boards.
2. The question of component dimension don’t match the pads on the boards.
Q: The component is bigger/smaller than the pads size in the design,can’t be soldered.
A: Please refer the data-sheet of component dimension and recommended PCB layout re-design and re-manufacture the boards or provide alternative MPN.
3. The question of the component gap don’t match the boards thickness.
Q:Component lead pin gap is smaller than the boards thickness, can’t be soldered.
A: Please choose component with proper lead pin gap according to boards thickness.
4. The question of component lead pin height don’t match the boards thickness.
Q:Component lead pin height is shorter than the boards thickness,can’t get through the holes and soldered on the boards.
A:Please select the boards thickness according to component lead pin height.
5. The question of component lead pin don’t match pads quantity in the design.
Q: Component lead pin quantities don’t match the pads quantities on the boards.
A:Please refer the data-sheet of component dimension and recommended PCB layout, re-design and re-manufacture the boards or provide alternative MPN.
There are many similar components ,please make sure the recommended PCB Layout that you refer is correctly.
6. The question of tooling pin/tooling hole.
Q:The component have tooling pin, but didn’t design the tooling hole on the boards.
A:Cutout the tooling pin before soldered.
Please find the component datasheet to confirm if the component have tooling pin, add the tooling hole in proper location on the boards.
7. The question of pin header don’t match the holes on the boards.
Q:The component have tooling pin, but didn’t design the tooling hole on the boards.
A:Cutout the tooling pin before soldered.
Please find the component datasheet to confirm if the component have tooling pin, add the tooling hole in proper location on the boards.
8. The question of Sink Type Micro USB.
Q: Sink Type Micro USB can’t be soldered on the boards.
A:Recommended cutout the USB area before soldered.
Please notice the mounting feature of component description and recommended PCB layout
9. The question for holes on pads.
Question: Holes are designed on soldering pads, solder paste will flow to the other side of the board.
Answer: We can add solder paste if the holes are not big and the quantity is not many. Otherwise, remaking the PCBs is necessary. The holes need to be filled with resin or remove them from the pads.
10. Design issue caused poor soldering.
Question: Below design caused cold joint at the pads which are connecting to the center big pad.
Red stands for soldermask layer, Blue is for copper layer.
Answer: Better to have soldermask ink between those GND pads and the center pad to avoid solder paste on GND pads to be pulled away.
Correct design: Red stands for soldermask layer, Blue is for copper layer, ref below picture.
11. The question for pin pitch.
Question: The pitch for the header can not match to the board hole design.
Answer: Suggest to select corresponding pitch for headers according to the through hole pads distance(such as 2mm, 2.54mm and etc)
12. Inconformity for component pin distance and the hole space.cc
Question: The PTH distance is bigger/Smaller than the component pitch.
Answer:
A, Change to suitable pitch components.
B, Remake PCB to have corresponding distance.
C, Solder as they are if possible, but the component will be floating above the board.
13. Inconformity of solder joints and pads on board.cc
Question: More/less solder joints on component than the pads designed on board.
Answer:
A: Solder as they are if it is OK NOT to solder the extra solder joints/pads
B: Remake new PCB by removing/adding the extra/missing pads.
C:Provide new part number for suitable component.
14. The question for missing soldermask opening.
Question: Pads are designed on board, but covered by soldermask ink.
Answer:
A: Solder as they are If it is OK to ignore the covered pads
B: Remake the PCBs to expose the requested pads.
15. The question for LED package.
Question: Side mounting LED is needed for machine assembly, but purchased top mounting LEDs according to the given part number.
Answer:
A: Provide new part number for suitable package and re-purchase correct LEDs.
B: If the quantity is not big, we can solder for the LEDs by hand.
16. The question of positioning pin.
Question: Component (sample as shown in below picture) has positioning pin for the feet, but PCB is without corresponding hole.
Answer: It belongs to design mistake. But it’s no need to re-build the board, because position pins can be cut off for soldering.
17. The question of silkscreen marking cannot match with the component.
Question: As shown in below picture, the polygon silkscreen frame always refers to straight
Pin but the parts is curved pins.
Answer: It’s the design issue, but it’s no problem to continue assembly by using the component that customer requested.
18. The question of component package.
Question: The components which supplied by customer are in the package of bulk (sample as shown in below picture).
Answer: 1. GreatPCB has to confirm it first with SMT dept. whether can proceed assembly manually; 2. If cannot continue, then it’s necessary to change the components in the package of tape reel/ tube/ tray and so on.
19. The question of FPCB stiffener for THT pad
Question: Which side should we place stiffener of flexible PCB for the through hole’s pad?
Answer: It’s not suggested to place stiffener at solder side. If you do that, PCBWay SMT dept. cannot add solder paste at solder side when soldering THT components.
20. How to avoid the problem that LED do not light after receiving soldered PCBs?
We suggest to require function test of project with many LEDs. So we can solve the problem before shipping and avoid to wave time and money after you received the PCB.
No comments to sensitive components.
For example, some LEDs are very sensitive that require special temperature in storage and soldering. We suggest do function testing to boards after assembly is done in order to avoid bad LED soldering.
Note: Special requirements in BOM.
1). Components should be purchased but no need to be soldered to PCB.
2). Components should not be purchased or soldered so you can mark them as DNP or DNS.
3). Special temperature requirements to soldering of some sensitive switches, LEDs or connectors.
4). Leave some gap between components and PCB surface.
5). No need to cut pins of some THT components after assembly is done.
6). PCB can’t be washed by ultrasonic due to some sensitive components.
7). Components can’t be reflow soldered.