Electronics Manufacturing Services

Controlling PCB Assembly Costs, Part 2

2012-01-23T11:41:00.000-08:00

This series of articles is dedicated to exploring ways to help control the costs associated with small volume printed circuit board assembly. (Part 1, http://cic-inc.blogspot.com/2012/01/controlling-pcb-assembly-costs.html)

Prepare a side by side cost of each component high volume versus low volume quantities. Add a column for the percentage increased of the cost per line with the high volume over the low volume quantities. Sort your analysis based on the percentage. A common percentage of increase is expected, a few lines with a lower percentage is a gift. The components deserving of your focus and concentration will be evident.

Get to know the components identified with the highest percentage of increased cost components. Are any lines for a specialty type component with only one manufacturer providing a propriety design? With a "lock" on the marketplace, the cost options are fewer. One available option is to consider a one-time purchase of an anticipated lifetime quantity of product for the best price break. Any lines with a common type component, with more than one manufacturer matching Form, Fit and Function, there are various options to reduce the cost on those particular lines. Compare the costs for the quantity required between the competitors. Explore ~ sometimes, an upgraded characteristic such as tolerance, could be a more common component, thus less expensive.

Summarizing, reducing the costs on the most expensive materials can be a key to avoiding sticker shock for a low quantity build of printed circuit board assemblies.

Would you like a Professional Project Coordinator to look at assisting you with the PCB Assembly Component costs? Call 530-626-6168 or chat online at www.cic-inc.com.

ESD Precautions During Electronic Kitting

2012-01-18T13:39:00.000-08:00

Kitting Service providers are responsible for the condition of the electronic components during the kitting process. There are handling conditions during the kitting process which can expose components to potential ESD damage. Precautions must be taken and monitored properly during those processes to insure the integrity of the components.

The kitting processes which can jeopardize the components are the incoming inspection, the verification process, and the process of merging customer maintained inventory with newly procured materials to meet a Kit requirement. The components must be examined to verify, not only the quantity to meet the order but most importantly, the part markings to verify the component meets the engineering requirement. During these processes, the technician must be grounded properly to safeguard from the introduction of any static electricity. Safety precautions employed during these processes should include the certified ESD Lab jacket, the grounded bench, the grounded floor mat and the technician grounded by wrist strap to the continuous monitoring plug, which produces an audible alarm should the ground be disrupted. All grounding features relied upon are to be monitored and tested on a regular basis to confirm the ESD handling standards are maintained.

Inspect the Kitting premises and handling processes for all components to ensure and mitigate any risk to future PCB assemblies / products.

Please feel free to call on us if you have any questions. California Integration Coordinators, Inc. www.CIC-inc.com 530-626-6168 I'd welcome your questions.

Controlling PCB Assembly Costs

2012-01-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

Small quantity PCB Assembly costs can bring sticker shock when compared to high volume costs. There are numerous circumstances leading to a requirement of a low volume of assembled boards. Companies can help avoid the sticker shock by contemplating a few changes.

Consider allowing the AVL to be opened up on small quantity builds. Less expensive passive components, available in small quantities, would be an option to more expensive option with a high Minimum/Multiple. Review connector options which may have been chosen based on high volume placement concerns. A change in the manufacturer may provide for a less expensive FFF equivalent available in bulk or cut tape, reducing a high multiple packaging requirement.

Ask for the low volume requirements of the assembly facility prior to placing any orders; requirements vary depending on equipment and skill level to be used. Some assembly facilities may require reels only, others may require 12", 15" or even 18" leader material on cut tape. Evaluate the cost of populated leaders with the cost of adding a leader to cut tape or the cost of a custom reel. Depending upon the type of component, and the required specifications, a full reel quantity can be less expensive than cut tape.

Summarizing, reducing the excess materials required is the key to avoiding sticker shock for a low quantity build of printed circuit board assemblies.

Printed Circuit Board Fulfillment

2011-09-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

Your company has a product designed which requires one or more assembled circuit boards. You have a multitude of options to fulfill this requirement.
• Do you currently call on an electronic assembly/PC board facility as a one-stop shop?
• Do you currently have an off-shore representative that arranges the procurement of the PC boards?
• Do you place an order for the bare PC boards, order the components and send the whole lot to an electronic assembly facility to populate the boards?
• Do you use other methods?

There can be a huge price variance between the different fulfillment models. Under consideration is the time to full realization, as well as cost and quality.

TCQ = Value

The option of having experienced Project Management coordinate the fulfillment provides the best Value.

TIME is shortened by having a dedicated coordinator monitor and expedite the components and the assembly process.
COST is managed by the Project Manager; affordable options are presented, board fabrication and assembly are chosen based on the contribution to best value.
QUALITY is the driving force and is demonstrated by customer satisfaction and loyalty.

VALUE is California Integration Coordinators, Inc. a PCB Project Management Service Provider with 25 years experience. Our business has been built with customer loyalty and a strong belief in providing the highest quality service.

Call California Integration Coordinators, Inc. at (530) 626-6168 or chat with a Project Coordinators through www.cic-inc.com

Value in Outsourcing PCB Material Management

2011-08-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

For organizations trying to manage their PCB builds, the task can be overwhelming.

By outsourcing the PCB project to professional PCB Project Managers, the organizations costs can be reduced and risks minimized. California Integration Coordinators, Inc. has considerable experience in navigating the electronic component sourcing arena. No hidden costs or overhead.

Request a quote for your upcoming PCB build and see how the costs compare. CIC, Inc. will provide a quote and include the Costed BOM. Any components currently unavailable due to factory constraints or obsolesence are crossed to an available alternative, where possible.

The cost quoted includes all the communication to maintain delivery dates, the in-bound shipping costs, incoming inspection, engineering support, prep for the assembly process, accounts payable, etc. Imagine the staff costs to perform those functions for your organization!!

We encourage your organization to contact CIC, Inc. regarding your next PCB build ~
1. Costs clearly stated upfront
2. Problems components identified and suggestions to overcome issues are provided
3. Experienced professionals at your service

Call 530-626-6168 to discuss your build with a Project Manager.

Electronic Manufacturing Services Required!!

2011-05-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

Requests to quote new Printed Circuit Board projects is on the rise. The difficulty now is managing the shortage of some of the critical components.

To insure the success of the PCB project, it is imperative to have a Professional Project Coordinator on the project. Inventory of specific component lines have shrunk and lead-times have stretched to new highs.

A Professional Project Coordinator understands the constraints and will be able to suggest material alternates to avoid the lead-time issues, will have access to material in the pipeline, and will know how to avoid some of the pitfalls that can take a PCB Project off-schedule.

To have a Professional Project Coordinator assigned to your upcoming PCB project, contact California Integration Coordinators, Inc. www.cic-inc.com or call 530-626-6168 today!

Interview with California Integration Coordinators, Inc.

2011-03-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

What’s different about what you provide or how you provide it that sets you apart from your competition?

Complete, accurate quotes
The quotes we prepare for our customers are intensively prepared by experienced staff. We document the media type quoted, the lead-time, minimum or multiple purchase requirements, the quantity and price, but also any suggested direct cross to cut the price or shorten the lead-time. Our quotes are not prepared by any auto-search software but by real people who confirm online information. Staff even calls the distributors and manufacturers to gather the most accurate delivery and pricing data to ensure the most accurate quotes possible.

Constant project monitoring
Project Coordinators continually monitor incoming material to insure the dock dates are maintained and the project stays on schedule. Any delivery or material issues are resolved and the customer is continually informed by communication updates.

What impact do you have on your customers’ lives?

One-stop for entire PCB project
Without our services, customers would be forced to order material themselves or through an assembly facility whose primary focus is assembly, not material. The level of procurement expertise, the project coordination between board fabrication, material procurement and assembly and the timely communication with the end-customer are all reasons the customer has for choosing our Project Coordinating Services as opposed to alternatives.

What could you tell prospective customers that would cause them to drop everything and come see you right away?

Electronics market is rapidly tightening
The components market is tightening rapidly; lead-times are extending for months instead of weeks, the minimum purchase requirements are increasing, Non-Cancelable/Non-Returnable (NC/NR) contracts required upon order, not to mention the price increases, especially with passives.

Why should prospective customers select you versus all the other options they have?
California Integration Coordinators, Inc. has professional project coordinators with years of experience. Their focus is the efficient, expedient management of the customer’s PCB assembly project. CIC, Inc. has been in business for 23 years and has developed tools and methodology for the coordinating staff which differentiates from others who advertise “Procurement and Kitting Services”.

If there are additional questions to ask, please contact us (530)626-6168. We'd be very glad to discuss how our services could be a benefit to any upcoming PCB Assembly.

OEM Component Procurement

2011-01-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

Many Original Equipment Manufacturers’ have employees assigned to purchase the components required for their companies PCB assemblies. With that in mind, is there really value in using CIC as a third party component kitting source?

California Integration Coordinators, Inc. is a professional electronic procurement and kitting source. Electronic component procurement and kitting is the heart and soul of the service CIC, Inc. has been providing for 23 years.

The professional services provided by CIC, Inc. include:

· engineering technical ability to suggest alternative components for obsolete or allocated components

· sourcing knowledge and experience to maintain quality

· incoming inspection of the components to insure the component meets the required BOM call-out

· component kits organized and documented to speed up the assembly set-up

· all components are kitted as "line ready"

Contacting a professional for these services will make the difference in the timely delivery of PCB assemblies while minimizing the costs at the assembly line.

Call a Project Coordinator at CIC today and add them to your team for your next PCB assembly project at (530) 626-6168.

Dealing with Long Lead-time Electronic Components

2010-12-01T10:44:00.000-08:00

In such a fast paced environment as electronics, it’s hard to understand the lead-times being quoted at 12-45 weeks and in come cases, even longer!! A product can be outdated before it can be built!

We’ve all read the numerous reasons that have lead to such constraints but it doesn’t ease the pain if you are trying to bring your PCB project to fruition.

California Integration Coordinators, Inc. primary focus is Procurement and Kitting of electronic components for assembly. Sourcing long lead-time items is a daily occurrence for the Project Coordinators at CIC, Inc. How do they manage to get around the lead-times??

One aspect of by-passing long lead-time issues is identifying acceptable alternatives. Working with engineers and electronic technical component specialists, the Project Coordinators identify alternative manufacturers with a drop-in replacement to the original called out component. Providing more than one possible alternative can significantly raise the odds of obtaining acceptable components in a planned time-frame. All identified alternatives are presented to the PCB Design Engineer for final approval.

A second aspect of avoiding the long lead-time issues is understanding the complexities of sourcing. After almost 25 years sourcing components in a dynamic marketplace, partnerships have been developed that allow us to find, access and expedite components on behalf of our customers.

Would having the power of CIC, Inc. Project Coordinators on your next PCB Project help? Call and find out today. California Integration Coordinators, Inc. at (530) 626-6168.

Successfully providing more services at lower cost

2010-11-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

The economic conditions in the last year have driven many companies associated with Electronic Manufacturing Services to take less risk, slim down inventory availability and cut back on customer service. There are a select group of Electronic Manufacturing Service providers becoming more aggressive and very competitive to grow their business during this time. California Integration Coordinators, Inc. is a participant in the later group.

Here’s what CIC, Inc. is doing to grow our business during this time.

1. Finding ways to source material and avoid manufacturer’s extended lead-times and lack of inventory availability by using engineering support and expanding the approved alternates for customers.

2. Pre-approving sources for services and materials committed to the highest quality and willing to hold pricing down to very competitive levels.

3. Expanding the services offered to customers as a complete package or full solution. Staff reductions and economies have stretched our customer’s ability to coordinate the electronic manufacturing services; we became the cost effective outsourcing solution for our customers.

4. Customer satisfaction has become the #1 measurement of our success.

Are you in need of PCB Manufacturing assistance? Take your requirements to the next level and contact California Integration Coordinators, Inc. Call 530-626-6168 to initiate your quote request with no obligation.

Competitively Priced PCB Assembly Projects

2010-09-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

Be competitive and fiscally responsible with PCB assembly builds for small prototype quantities and builds of less than 10K; consider outsourcing the logistical aspects.

The personnel costs for professional procurement staff, trained component inspection personnel, experienced kitting staff, the added influx to accounting, the calls and coordination time of the project manager, etc. all add up to bring the project costs often beyond the budget.

The most cost effective option is outsourcing to a professional Project Management team. California Integration Coordinators, Inc. (www.cic-inc.com) has a 20+ year history of providing professional full-turnkey services.

California Integration Coordinators, Inc. has considerable resources to understand the project; to coordinate all aspects from PCB board design and fabrication to assembly and testing. By outsourcing the PCB projects to professional PCB Project Managers, the costs are limited to the quote / budget. No hidden costs or overhead.

CIC, Inc. has experienced knowledgeable procurement staff, Project/material managers, engineering support, receiving, incoming material inspection staff, accounting / accounts payable, warehouse staff, and a highly respected kitting staff. Imagine receiving the benefits of a huge staff within ONE quote. Check out the website at www.cic-inc.com for information to help with your decision.

Best Method to Avoid Counterfeit Electronic Components

2010-06-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

Numerous manufacturers’ have seen a marked increase in demand for their product over the previous 12 month period of time. Lead-times for many electronic components far exceed previously quoted lead-times and are catching manufacturing off guard.

The philosophy at California Integration Coordinators, Inc., now being echoed by many, is to purchase from franchised distributors to eliminate the chance of receiving counterfeit components. CIC, Inc. has long standing relationships with franchised distributors as well as manufacturers which allows us to provide the product required in a timely confident manner.

Working very closely with all the franchised distributors we also have access to product engineers for suggestions to find alternate options when lead-times on the original call out are excessive.

There are still times when it is necessary to consider a non-franchised source or an independent distributor to overcome long lead-times. CIC, Inc. carefully has chosen sources serious about maintaining their credibility in the electronics procurement realm and have the technical equipment to insure the integrity of the components. By taking precautions, researching, presenting all the information and allowing our end-customer the choice in the non-franchised sourced material procurement decision, we avoid being involved with any counterfeit components.

CIC, Inc. has 22 years experience “helping people build electronic products”. Let us help with any electronic manufacturing projects by calling 530-626-6168.

Evaluating the Electronics Procurement / Kitting Service Provider

2010-05-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

The launch of new OEM products can be risky – evaluate the following factors to select the right NPI electronics project manufacturing service provider to get the new product to market quickly and ensure the success of your NPI.

Make sure the provider is financially sound
Consider the logistics/language - choose a service provider within your time zone
The service provider must demonstrate flexibility to engineering changes
Flexibility should include a daily focus on the project
Provider should be double checking all component elements within the BOM

double check the BOM for part descriptions to match the assigned manufacturer's part number
provide component lead-times and search for in-stock alternates to suggest for approval
provide cost and suggest cost savings alternates (Mfg or packaging options) for approval
BOM scrubbing - filling passive call-outs with Mfg and part number for procurement
contact Manufacturer's for Sample options for initial small prototype builds

Evaluate the Service Provider and determine if they are acting on your behalf and in YOUR best interest. Factor in the following:

Quality
Experience
Manufacturability
Cost

After evaluating your Electronics Manufacturing Service Provider call California Integration Coordinators, Inc. to discover how the criteria above ARE the heart of the service provided. Call 530-626-6168 to visit with your new Project Coordinator.

2010-03-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

The Electronics Industry’s Source for Component Kitting, Electronics Manufacturing and Printed Circuit Boards!!

The CIC Project Management Team can offer:

• No obligation quote (Component or Project level)
• Procurement
• Kitting
• Inventory management
• Board layout and design chosen with required qualifications
• Board testing
• Box build and comprehensive services
• Cable assembly
• PCB assembly with long standing partners chosen to fit the project
• Product Life Cycle – Contract repair and warranty for your product

Benefits to our customers:

• On-time delivery
• Supplier reduction
• Full turnkey available
• Reduced labor costs
• Reduced inventory carrying costs
• Your partner in “just in time” manufacturing

For you, our customer, California Integration Coordinators Project Management team can offer you:

• One quote
• One supplier
• One purchase order
• One point of contact
• One shipment of incoming material, manufacturing ready
• One fixed price

Email your project requirements to cic@cic-inc.com OR call 530-626-6168; the Manager of the Project Coordinating staff will discuss your project and assign one of our staff to YOUR team!

PCB Design to Assembly

2010-02-24T13:36:00.000-08:00

Next to the design and testing of a new PCB application, the most important aspect of the PCB project is the link between the Design Engineer and the Assembly Floor. The cost of bringing a new PCB design to fruition can be HUGE! Why would anyone risk the time and expense without engaging professional procurement and kitting staff?

California Integration Coordinators, Inc. is the link that brings success to the PCB Project. (More information available at http://www.cic-inc.com/html/management.html )

The professional Project Coordinators:
• double check the BOM for part descriptions to match the assigned manufacturer’s part number
• provide component lead-times and search for in-stock alternates to suggest for approval
• provide cost and suggest cost saving alternates (Mfg or packaging options) for approval
• BOM scrubbing – filling passive call-outs with Mfg and part number for procurement
• Contact Manufacturer’s for Sample options for initial small prototype builds

Does this link exist in your PCB project team? Contact CIC, Inc. Project Coordinating staff to find out how to make this addition to your team! Call 530-626-6168 or email cic@cic-inc.com to talk to YOUR new team member.

Want insurance for your next PCB Project?

2010-02-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

California Integration Coordinators, Inc. is the key to success for PCB builds. Whether the PCB project is a Prototype of 10 pieces, or a small production lot of 500, CIC, Inc. can make a difference.

The professional Project Coordinators at CIC have the experience and know-how to ensure your next build is on time and within budget. The Coordinators are the most important link between the Design Engineer and the Assembly Floor staff.

Assembly facilities agree, having the material arrive line ready; properly shipped, attrition provided and material well labeled, saves time (and COST)! Using the services of CIC to procure and kit the material, the pre-assembly audit takes minutes instead of hours and the line set-up is minimized.

2009-12-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

Electronic Manufacturing is starting to see some signs of recovery. The Requests to Quote new Printed Circuit Board projects is on the rise! The difficulty now is managing the shortage of some of the critical components. To insure the success of the PCB project, it is imparative to have a Professional Project Coordinator on the project.

Numerous component manufacturer's pulled back production more than a year ago. Inventory of specific component lines have shrunk and lead-times have stretched to new highs as manufacturer's try to gear up for the new demand.

A Professional Project Coordinator understands the contraints and will be able to suggest material alternates to avoid the lead-time issues, will have access to material in the pipeline, and will know how to avoid some of the pitfalls that can take a PCB Project off-schedule.

To have a Professional Project Coordinator assigned to your upcoming PCB project, contact California Integration Coordinators, Inc. www.cic-inc.com or call 530-626-6168 today!

Creativity will lead to success

2009-11-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

Now that you’ve made the decision to move the PCB project ahead and invest in the realization, how do you manage the lead-times and various manufacturers’ production constraints?

A Project Manager can help to overcome material /delivery issues and keep the project on schedule. A good PCB Project Manager will be able to help dual source components, find competitive crosses, expedite lead-items, and generally act as a “bird-dog” on your PCB Project.

Professional PCB Project Managers can be found at California Integration Coordinators, Inc. After 22 years of "Helping People Build Electronic Products", the expertise, knowledge base and connections can be your creativity source in today’s marketplace.

Whether the build is Prototype or Production, CIC is here to ensure successful PCB builds.

Summer's over - PCB's are back in full swing

2009-10-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

We have enjoyed vacations with family and friends. The summer provided a great time to upgrade our training on ESD and new Receiving processes. Now we are back to full staff, improved capabilities, and an excitement for the uptick in Prototype PCB builds.

It is true that some electronic components have become more difficult to obtain due to manufactuter's production constraints as well as some basic material issues. A Project Manager for your PCB realization can help to overcome material /delivery issues and keep the project on schedule.

Remember, California Integration Coordinators, Inc. is the place to start when the PCB design is in progress. We can source the components, advise on lead-times, and provide initial quotes for product realization.

Whether the build is Prototype or Production, CIC is here to ensure successful PCB builds.

Judging Value When Planning A PCB Assembly Project

2009-05-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

How does one determine if the best value for your next PCB assembly project is found internally or externally to your organization?

1. Do you have the purchasing staff with expertise to locate the components and hardware items for you?
2. If components cannot be found, does the internal purchasing staff have the knowledge and experience to investigate alternates?
3. Would the staff also be reviewing the BOM for any discrepancy between the part description and the actual components being purchased?

If you answered YES to all the questions above, then ask one additional question – “Does the internal purchasing staff have the hours available to take on this project?” Do you know the cost of those man-hours?

If you answered NO to any of the questions above, or if you know the total cost impact of the project to your internal staff, please consider the value California Integration Coordinators, Inc. could offer to your next PCB Assembly project.

The cost savings start with the expertise and experienced CIC staff:
+ We coordinate with many highly respected board manufactures to offer the highest quality product.
+ Refer to the most appropriate assembly firm to insure the outcome of product meets the customer requirement.
CIC will:
* Obtain quotes on all products
* Place orders
* Manage and expedite incoming orders
* Manage ongoing material requirements and inventory
* Offer alternative part sourcing
* Inspect all incoming material
* Prepare all Kits to your specifications
AND
* Manage phone calls
* Process multiple receipts / deliveries
* Handle invoices
* Manage internal paperwork
* Reconcile payments to suppliers
Contact California Integration Coordinators, Inc. to compare the project cost and find the true value!! Call 530.626.6168 or email your requirements to cic@cic-inc.com for a quote. For more information see www.cic-inc.com

Creating the best PCB Assembly Flow

2009-04-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

There are several secrets to ensuring most efficient use of PCB assembly floor time.

Secret # 1 – Use a highly reputable PCB Project Management source for procurement and kitting of the electronic components. PCB assembly can be expensive and components (including boards) even more so. Care must be taken at the onset of the PCB project to coordinate boards and components for secure, just in time delivery to assembly.

Secret # 2 – Inspection, Inspection, Inspection.
· The BOM must be reviewed thoroughly by an outside entity to compare part descriptions with manufacturer’s part numbers to assure that all call-outs are correct.
· The Components procured must be inspected to confirm the required component is being provided to assembly.
· The Completed Kit must be reviewed prior to being submitted to assembly to make sure that assembly can set up and run without interruption.

Secret # 3 – California Integration Coordinators, Inc. www.cic-inc.com

PCB Manufacturing Options

2009-03-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

For organizations bringing prototype and small builds of PCB’s to fruition, the full cost of possessing the numerous professional staff is becoming prohibitive.

An excerpt from an article titled Working in a Blended World written by Daniel W. Rasmus, Director of Business Insights at Microsoft Corporation:

“Twenty years ago, janitorial services were commonly outsourced. Today, security, recruiting, design, information technology development and management, financial management, training, manufacturing, legal services, and many other functions are outsourced....With companies constantly examining their cost structure and fine-tuning their strategies, it is likely that the blend of employees, contingent staff, and contract workers will grow over the next decade.”

To stay competitive and fiscally responsible, companies requiring PCB builds for prototype, and quantities of less than 10K, are finding outsourcing options to manage the increasing costs. The most cost effective option is outsourcing to a professional Project Management team. California Integration Coordinators, Inc. (www.cic-inc.com) has a 20 year history of providing professional full-turnkey services.

There are the known costs for the professional procurement staff, trained component inspection personnel, and experienced kitting staff but the hidden costs for the added workload to accounting, the phone calls and coordination time of the project manager, etc. compound the total project costs, often beyond the budget.

California Integration Coordinators, Inc. has considerable resources to coordinate all aspects from PCB board design and fabrication to assembly and testing. By outsourcing the PCB projects to professional PCB Project Managers, the costs are limited to the quote / budget. No hidden costs or overhead. CIC, Inc. has experienced knowledgeable procurement staff, Project/material managers, engineering support, receiving, incoming material inspection staff, accounting / accounts payable, warehouse staff, and a highly respected kitting staff. Imagine receiving the benefits of a huge staff within the quote.

Follow this link to read the full article: http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/9/F/A9F75B0E-7D7A-4AAB-A184-E9663424F355/Microsoft_Insights_WorkinginaBlendedWorld.pdf

Project Quote for PCB Manufacture and Assembly

2009-03-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

What should be expected in a quote from a reputable firm providing procurement and kitting services?

A circuit board assembly project must include every requirement. A quote that doesn’t include all line items is not a good quote.

The BOM quote should include all line items, including board fabrication and assembly, if the services are to be provided as full-turnkey. The quote should list each of the line items as stated on the Bill of Material; the customer per item cost as well as the total line item cost, the lead-time for the line item, the minimum / multiple purchase requirements, and the media type (tray, reel, bulk, etc.). There should be notes indicating if a line item is NCNR, if the product is shipping in from outside of the US, and if there is any additional fees associated.

A quote for line items which are now discontinued / obsolete should offer alternates, including datasheets, for engineering approval. All efforts should be made by the provider of the quote to offer information such as a less expensive option, an “in-stock” alternate, or any broken stock available which may fulfill the requirement and avoid the purchase of a large excess quantity.

The full-turnkey quote should be accurate with every effort made to provide a complete project build within the customer specified time-frame.

The firm engaged for providing components for the assembly should use franchised sources or have alliances directly with manufacturer’s to purchase on the customer’s behalf. Be aware that there are many sources which can supply “re-claimed” or counterfeit components. If the quote sounds too good to be true, be suspicious, your project depends upon it!

A professional quote, meeting the above standards for PCB Manufacture and Assembly, can be obtained by contacting California Integration Coordinators, Inc. Project management information can be found at http://www.cic-inc.com. Contact a project coordinator to compare a professional quote from CIC, Inc. for your upcoming PCB build.

Project Management for PCB Manufacture and Assembly

2009-02-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

The coordination of PCB design, fabrication, component procurement, assembly prep and assembly is a critical path to functional, successful circuit boards.

There are several options available for realization. Some firms choose to manage the separate production elements including board design and fabrication as well as purchasing the components, making sure all components including the boards, are available to ship to the assembly house all within a specific timeframe. Other firms understand the true cost of managing the elements of production and elect to have their project managed by a professional with exclusive focus and expertise.

Management often has a great appreciation for the cost of time. Firms electing to internally manage the production elements may not be including the true costs to the bottom line of the project. Costs often neglected in the accounting of a PCB assembly project cost include the time of the internal communication for clarification with the CAD designer and engineer, the in-bound freight for components, the phone calls for timely lead-time alternate options and delivery confirmations, the time involved to inspect the incoming material, the time required to process the purchase orders and invoices, etc. The list of uncaptured expenses goes on and on…

By engaging with a professional Project Management team there is only one transaction. By calling California Integration Coordinators, Inc. the production elements are condensed to:
One quote
One supplier
One purchase order
One point of contact
One shipment of incoming material, assembly line ready
One fixed price

Any management team, prepared to engage in an upcoming PCB manufacture and assembly project, should understand all the true costs.

What is Kitting?

2009-01-15T15:59:00.000-08:00

The definition of Kitting furnished by the www.businessdictionary.com is the "Process in which individually separate but related items are grouped, packaged, and supplied together as one unit. For example, in ordering a PC online, a customer may select memory, drives, peripherals, and software from several alternatives. The supplier then creates a customized kit that is assembled and shipped as one unit."

At California Integration Coordinators, Inc. (CIC, Inc.) the kitting of electronic components for PCB assembly is our forte. It is the "heart" of what we do! CIC, Inc. has been providing electronic component kitting for major manufacturers for over 20 years.

Kitting is a very important process prior to assembly. All the components required per the BOM must be included; properly identified, properly packaged, with appropriate overages for the PCB assembly process to take place. Skilled and knowledgeable quoting of the BOM, and timely procurement of the requirements, are the Key elements to being able to produce Kits for assembly. California Integration Coordinators www.cic-inc.com is known as an assembly "favorite" because of the attention to every single detail that can impact an assembly.