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PCB and PCBA Manufacturing FAQ
APTPCB's PCB and PCBA FAQ helps buyers and engineers prepare RFQ data, define DFM and test requirements, confirm manufacturing limits, plan delivery, and submit complete quality or claim records.
1) Quoting & ordering
RFQ scope · schedule · commercial terms
Do you support expedites? How fast can we ship?
Expedite options are confirmed only after review of material availability, stack-up, special processes, quantity, and data completeness. Enter the required delivery date and destination on the Quote page; the quotation will state the feasible production and shipping schedule plus any cost impact.
What is the MOQ and which payment methods are supported?
Minimum order quantity and payment terms depend on board type, quantity, material procurement, and account status. State whether the order is a prototype, pilot, or production lot, then use Contact us to confirm invoicing and payment details before ordering.
Which files are required and how long does CAM review take?
For an actionable CAM review, provide Gerber X2 or ODB++, NC drill data, stack-up, quantity, finished thickness, copper weights, surface finish, board outline, impedance targets, and special-process notes. Review time is confirmed from data completeness and build complexity. The Impedance calculator can support early controlled-impedance estimates, but it does not release the production stack-up.
2) Documentation & security
Manufacturing data · NDA · retention terms
Which file formats are supported?
Gerber X2 and ODB++ are preferred manufacturing data formats. Include NC drill data, layer order, and a fabrication drawing; if native CAD files are supplied, also include a Gerber export for cross-checking. Use the Gerber Viewer for a quick pre-check.
Will you sign an NDA and how is data stored?
A mutual NDA can be submitted for review before the project starts. Access, retention, transfer, and deletion requirements must be agreed before files are uploaded. Contact engineering to confirm the proposed data route and applicable terms.
3) Manufacturing capability
Published range · DFM confirmation · release limits
What are the standard capability windows?
The published rigid multilayer range is 4–32 layers. Trace/space, drills, microvias, copper build, finished thickness, and impedance tolerance depend on the material system, stack-up, geometry, and quantity; they become binding only after DFM review through the Manufacturing overview.
How is controlled impedance released for production?
State the target impedance, tolerance, reference layer, preferred material, copper thickness, and critical nets. Stack-up and trace geometry are agreed during DFM; TDR coupons, sampling, and report format are included only when specified and confirmed in the RFQ. Use the Impedance calculator for preliminary estimates, not production release.
4) Quality & certifications
IPC / IATF / UL · Traceability
Do you support IPC Class 3 and IATF 16949?
State the required IPC class, applicable automotive requirements, and required evidence in the RFQ. APTPCB confirms before order which standard, quality agreement, plant scope, product scope, and lot documentation apply; a general website statement is not a production release. Review our Quality policy for the governing framework.
How is traceability handled?
Define the required material lots, date codes, production lots, serial numbers, test records, and retention period in the RFQ. The confirmed order determines which records are captured and supplied with the shipment. Contact the team if you need to agree a sample record format.
5) Testing & inspection
Inspection method · sampling · shipment evidence
How are finished boards tested?
The test plan depends on board type and order requirements. Electrical test and AOI can be part of the fabrication flow; TDR, microsection, X-ray, or other evidence must be defined by scope, sampling, and report requirement in the RFQ and confirmed before release. See the Manufacturing overview for the quality-planning workflow.
Can you share impedance/TDR measurements?
TDR measurement can be requested for controlled-impedance builds. Specify target, tolerance, coupon requirements, measurement points, sampling, and report format; the confirmed order determines whether numeric data or scope captures are supplied. Use the Impedance calculator for pre-DFM estimates.
6) Delivery & logistics
Incoterm · packaging · customs records
Which international logistics options do you offer?
State the delivery address, Incoterm, required date, packaging constraints, and customs or origin documents in the RFQ. Shipping method, packaging, and document scope are confirmed before order; special requirements should not be added after production. Contact for route-specific options.
Can shipments follow a staged schedule?
Staged shipments can be reviewed. Enter total quantity, release quantities, dates, storage limits, and labeling requirements on the Quote page; the confirmed delivery plan governs feasibility, cost, and responsibilities.
7) PCB assembly (PCBA)
Sourcing model · placement data · test scope
Do you provide turnkey PCBA services?
APTPCB supports turnkey sourcing, customer-consigned components, and mixed PCBA models. An actionable RFQ needs a BOM with manufacturer part numbers and reference designators, Gerber or ODB++, placement data, assembly drawings, quantities, and test requirements. Start at
/pcba.8) DFM / manufacturability
Stack-ups · panels · rails
Do you provide reference stack-ups and impedance examples?
Reference stack-ups and the Impedance calculator support early design work but do not replace the approved production stack-up. Submit the material family, finished thickness, copper weights, target impedances, and reference layers; critical pairs are fixed only after DFM and stack-up approval.
Any recommendations for panelization and process rails?
Submit the single-board outline, preferred panel size, array count, component overhangs, fiducials, tooling holes, and V-score or routing preference. Rail width, spacing, and separation method are set from outline, thickness, assembly process, and depaneling risk; a blanket rail width is not a release rule.
9) After-sales & claims
Order terms · evidence · disposition
How are claims and warranty requests handled?
The confirmed order terms and Terms of service govern the request. Report the issue with the order number, affected lot, quantity, photos, measurements, and failure description before rework or return, then Contact us so the team can review evidence and confirm the next step.
10) Compliance & sustainability
Order-specific declarations · marking · evidence
Which RoHS, REACH, or UL evidence can be agreed?
Mark the RFQ with any RoHS, REACH, UL marking, material declaration, or process evidence required. Available statements and certificates depend on material, plant, product, and order scope; confirm the document package with [email protected] before production release.
11) Support & response
Urgency · owner · decision needed
What are your response times and time-zone coverage?
Response time and time-zone coverage depend on the request, project phase, and agreed contact. State urgency, time zone, required date, quote or order number, and the decision you need; the Contact page routes the request to the responsible team.
12) Extended reading (resources / blog / tools)
Deep dives and references
Tools & calculators
Impedance modeling, quick file checks, and visualization tools.