Controlling PCB Assembly Costs, Part 2

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.