Glossary

Service Types
Screaming Circuits offers a variety of assembly services:
  • Full Proto: Our flagship quick-turn prototype PCB assembly service. If you need a few boards built up quickly and need flexibility in providing components, choose this service.

    Turn-time Options:
    • 24-Hour
    • 48-Hour
    • 5-day
    • 10-day
    Accepted component presentation:
    • Cut tape / Short strips
    • Thru-Hole bulk or tape
    • Reels (full or partial)
    • Tubes
    • Trays
    File Requirements:
    • Bill of Materials
    • RS-274X Gerber files
    • Centroid (aka Pick-and-Place) file
  • Simple Proto: Our entry-level prototype PCB service. Great for saving money on simple SMT & thru-hole only designs.

    Turn-time Options:
    • 10-day
    Accepted component presentation:
    • Cut tape / Short strips
    • Thru-Hole bulk or tape
    • Reels (full or partial)
    • Tubes
    • Trays
    File Requirements:
    • Bill of Materials
    • RS-274X Gerber files
    • Centroid (aka Pick-and-Place) file
    Restrictions:
    • SMT & Thru-Hole only
    • SMT parts 0402 or larger
    • 1-sided assembly
    • Kitted service only (no turn-key)
    • Web ordering only (files & payment due upon order submission)
  • Short-Run: Our production assembly service optimized for runs of up to 5,000 boards. Perfect for taking your finished design to market at the right price. If you have completed testing your design and are ready to start building your product in quantity, choose this service.

    Turn-time Options:
    • 10-day
    • 15-day
    • 20-day
    Accepted component presentation:
    • Continuous Tape (12in or longer)
    • Thru-Hole bulk or tape
    • Reels (full or partial)
    • Tubes
    • Trays
    File Requirements:
    • Bill of Materials
    • RS-274X Gerber files
    • Centroid (aka Pick-and-Place) file
    • ASCII-Formatted CAD data
    PCB Requirements:
    • PCBs smaller than 16sq in. or non-standard shapes (not square or rectangle), must be panelized as detailed in our Panelization Guide
Quote Variables Definition
The best way to determine the quote variables is to look at your Bill of Materials (BOM). Below is an explanation of the terms used to quote your PCB Assembly on our website.
Desired Board Quantity
The number of PCBs you would like us to assemble.
Total # of Manufacturer Part #s (BOM line items)
This is the number of different part numbers used on your PCB assembly. In other words, if you send us a box with all of the parts, how many different bags will there be? In most cases, this is the number of line items in your Bill of Materials (BOM).
For example, a 10k resistor and a 1k resistor would be considered 2 Manufacturer part #s and a 20k resistor used at 4 different locations, R6, R7, R11 and R15, would be considered as one Manufacturer part #.
Double Sided SMT?
Are there surface mount components on both sides of your PCB?
Lead-Free processing?
Do you need lead-free RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) processing?
If so, we will build your assembly with fully RoHS compliant process and supplies.
Class III
Describes the inspection level that is performed on your assembled PCBs. IPC 610 states that Class 2 is standard commercial level inspection and Class 3 is an enhanced level intended for high reliability applications. Screaming Circuits inspects to Class 2 by default and will inspect to Class 3 upon request and for an additional fee.
NOTE: Class III inspection is only available for Full Proto and Short Run services. Please call to quote.
Placements on board:
This section categorizes the components on your PCB Assembly. When looking at a BOM, the column called Footprint or Package is the best indicator.
Enter the amount you would like us to assemble on a single circuit board.
SMT
The total number of surface mount parts to be placed on the board (Example: 0805 resistor or TSOP chip). This count should not include any parts listed below in the Fine Pitch, thru-hole or BGA/QFN/Leadless boxes.
Thru-Hole
The total number of thru-hole parts. (Example: Axial leaded resistor). Note that thru-hole connectors count as one each, regardless of the number of pins they have.
Fine Pitch
The total number of surface mount devices that have a spacing of 20 mils or less from lead center to lead center. (Example: QFP with 15 mil lead pitch)
BGA/QFN/Leadless
A BGA (Ball Grid Array device), QFN (Quad Flat-pack no leads), LGA (Land Grid Array) or other parts without leads. These are surface mount devices with all interconnects or solder joints under the device. Screaming Circuits does 100% post assembly X-ray inspection of all leadless solder joints.
Order Type
Use this selection to tell us how your parts will be provided.
  • Kitted: Choose this if you plan to send us all your parts and PCBs.

  • Partial Turn-Key: Choose this if you will send us some parts but want us to buy the rest.

  • Full Turn-Key: Choose this if you want us to buy all the parts and PCBs for you.

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