IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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92 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2026 BY M AT T ST E V E N S O N , AS C S U N STO N E C I RC U I TS O nce the PCB design moves from the design- er's hands to the fabricator, the quote process becomes much more than a matter of price. It's where we determine what it will take to build your board successfully, from materials and capabilities to cost and production requirements. The more closely designers and fabricators work together during this stage, the better the opportunity to identify potential problems before they reach production. Clear and Open Communication Lights the Way In many cases, quote requests are straightfor- ward and include everything the fabricator re- quires to produce quality boards that function as intended. But sometimes more is needed and it takes a healthy back-and-forth to make the de- sign manufacturable. After the fab team evaluates a PCB design, they often come back with questions for the designer because: • Information in the quote request does not provide the manufacturer with everything needed to build the board. This is often due to vague or incomplete component informa- tion in the bill of materials (BOM). • The design is too complex to complete before the requested deadline. Complex designs take more time to quote, and back-and-forth is often necessary to ensure accuracy. Design- ers should build it into their project timeline. • Specs can be incomplete, omitting details such as surface finish and impedance control requirements. C O N N ECT T H E D OTS Getting the PCB Quote Right