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OCTOBER 2026 I I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE 71 C O N N ECT T H E D OTS C O N N ECT T H E D OTS • BOM: It is of the utmost importance and should include all material descriptions, reference designators, and required quantities. • Fabrication specifications: Be extra thorough in defining your specifications, including layer count, board thickness, material, copper weight, surface finish, and color. • Quote timing and quantity: How many boards do you need, and how fast do you need them? The answer can have a big impact on which manufacturing partner to choose and how much the boards will cost. • Assembly requirements: Make sure you include a complete list so your boards are prepared for the next production step. • Design name: Give your design a unique identifier instead of default names like PCB1. A complete quote request is the price of admis- sion these days, but it isn't a guarantee of success. Even if the BOM and fab drawings are complete, it doesn't mean the manufacturer can produce your board. In many instances, the designer and fabri- cator will have worked together before, making the designer familiar with the fabricator's manufacturing capabilities and material availability. But if you are soliciting a quote from an unfamiliar PCB manufac- turer, it makes sense to research ahead of time to ensure their capabilities match your needs. Know the Quote Process If you're an engineer at a large organization that is always developing new electronic products, the PCB quote process is no mystery. But our industry thrives because of innovators who are often less ex- perienced with PCB design and quote solicitation. Designers who don't have a lot of experience work- ing with fabricators benefit from understanding how a quote request is processed. In general, these are the steps fabricators take when responding to a quote request: • Review the quote. Do the Gerber files, BOM, and fab drawings contain everything needed to respond? Can a response be generated as fast as the requestor asks? Are there materials on hand and manufacturing resources available to produce the boards in the requested time window? Do the specs, such as layers, layer thickness, materials, and surface finish, match design requirements? • Address design ambiguities. Generate questions for the requestor. • Suggest design changes to improve DFM if an opportunity exists to increase yield or reduce costs. • Look ahead to assembly. This is done by confirming that the components called out are readily available for assembly now and in the future. If they are not, suggest alternatives. • Calculate total cost of manufacturing. Include shipping. • Present the quote to the requester. Negotiate terms as needed to finalize it and generate a production order. Not every quote turns into an order, so unless you are working with a trusted manufacturer, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Quick-turn or online quoted orders for simple designs are straightforward for fabricators, so in most cases, soliciting two or three will ensure quick receipt of a response that will meet requirements. Custom, more complex designs will need more back-and-forth with the manufacturer. It makes sense for designers to consult with several manufacturers in order to find one that fits their needs. Requesting quotes from multiple fabricators will not only give you options but also provide peace of mind regarding completion timing and board costs. Having relationships with multiple fabricators makes sense because, when you are designing with the quote in mind, you focus on successful outcomes rather than tailoring your needs to a single manu- facturer's capabilities. Kelly Atay is the sales and marketing manager at ASC Sunstone. To read past columns from ASC Sunstone, click here.