Data points for per-part placement cost - survey

[mikeselectricstuff]

As we all know, assembly cost is hugely variable dependent on quantity, design detail and umpteen other things.
However a much more uniform factor should be the per-part placement cost, excluding all the setup, tooling , handling and get-out-of-bed costs which we know vary greatly between suppliers and also with things like number of different parts.

It might be interesting to get some data points on this common factor, especially where you have requested quotes for different build variants where the only difference is the parts count, so there is an obvious delta of price per part.

So for jobs of, say, 100+ panels with 500+  parts per panel, to minmise the effect of handling costs, what sort of figures have people experienced?

I'll take a look back at some of my older jobs but will kick off with a recent quote

UK supplier, 100 panels, GBP0.05 per part (feels a bit high to me)

[sca]

That's pretty much the figure I would expect from my local assembler (Yorkshire, UK) for those sorts of volumes.

Makes using multi-element packages worthwhile quickly.

sca

[mikeselectricstuff]

That's pretty much the figure I would expect from my local assembler (Yorkshire, UK) for those sorts of volumes.

Makes using multi-element packages worthwhile quickly.

sca

Yes - even using 2 resistors out of a 4-pack would propably be a cost saving...

[gregariz]

I cant remember seeing that kind of breakdown in our quote... but if average over finished article cost... about US 10c-15c per part. I think the more local guys at screaming circuits quoted us about 30c per part but that seemed very expensive.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I cant remember seeing that kind of breakdown in our quote... but if average over finished article cost... about US 10c-15c per part. I think the more local guys at screaming circuits quoted us about 30c per part but that seemed very expensive.

It won't usually be broken down in a quote, as it will include stuff like loading, printing, inspection etc., but if the quote is for different variants that differ only by component count, you can extract the delta.
After all the setups etc.  are done, cost is basically down to machine time.

[gregariz]

I cant remember seeing that kind of breakdown in our quote... but if average over finished article cost... about US 10c-15c per part. I think the more local guys at screaming circuits quoted us about 30c per part but that seemed very expensive.

It won't usually be broken down in a quote, as it will include stuff like loading, printing, inspection etc., but if the quote is for different variants that differ only by component count, you can extract the delta.
After all the setups etc.  are done, cost is basically down to machine time.

How do your local final article costs compare to someone like Asian circuits? I've found them about half the cost of screaming circuits.. Any better suggestions?

http://www.7pcbassembly.com/PCB-assembly-price.php

[Alphatronique]

Hi

ok was late but was not here before ;-)

i run a small pcb assembly shop and i may help you figure part price

on my case  short answer  base part price was  ~0.187$ CND (almost same as USD)
then add a small free for each reel (loading/unloading feeder and new package programing)
this was what make bigger run less expensive since it amortised on many board

ok long answer pcb assembly was complex thing whit lot of factor ,if you use 0402 i add 20% to the base part price
have part on 2 side add 30% (2 side for machine was same a have 2 single side board )
the how i figure 0.187$ ? simple , take smt line machine run hour rate / machine part rate
so 673$/h / 3600 par hour - 0.187$

ok now you tell in your mind 673$/hour whow i need that job to ...   
but if you take in account the whole assembly process the shop run at around 60$/hour when doing assembly
bottleneck was machine programing (pick place + AOI ) and cleaning and inspection
and not forgot if pick place broke it cost no less that 5k$ each time and yes it broke ...

for some customer that work closely whit assembly shop for reduce waste time the base part price may drop drastically

so for lower your assembly cost , avoid 2 side and >0402,supply assembly data in friendly format ,use in house part number whit well identified part reel

hope it help

Marc Lalonde
Alphatronique inc.

[JoeyP]

I've typically seen US$0.05-0.10 per part, plus a flat setup fee which depends upon board complexity. The price can vary dramatically depending upon the assembly house and the relationship you have with them. I've seen final pricing reduced to 1/3 of the initial quote after aggressive arm-twisting