Printed circuit board manufacturing
Single-sided, double-sided and multilayer boards in FR-4, flexible circuits, aluminium substrates for LEDs, controlled impedance, with pad finishes that vary according to use and soldering process.
Expertise
Electronics subcontracting
Printed circuit boards, board assembly, cabling and electrical panels: compare quotes from electronics subcontractors.
- Free, account created only when you publish
- Verified businesses (company number checked)
- Drawings visible to members only
Electronics subcontracting covers two worlds that often meet in a single project. On one side, board-level electronics: manufacture of the printed circuit board (PCB), component sourcing, board assembly in SMT or through-hole technology, testing and programming. On the other, industrial electrical work: cabling, harnesses, enclosures, made-to-measure electrical panels for machines or installations.
The most frequent searches are “PCB manufacturer”, “electronic board assembly”, “industrial cabling” or “custom electrical panel”. Depending on quantity, the prototype is made with a responsive supplier in small runs, before industrialisation with a subcontractor that has automated lines. In every case, the quality of the technical file decides the result: complete manufacturing files, an accurate bill of materials (BOM), test instructions.
This page explains the steps, the files to supply, the reference standards (IPC for boards, electrical equipment standards for panels), the factors that make the price vary and the points to check before choosing a partner, from a prototype of a few boards to a recurring series.
Common services
SMT assembly
Solder paste printing, automatic component placement and reflow soldering: the standard process for modern boards, including fine-pitch and ball-grid packages (BGA, QFN).
Through-hole assembly and selective soldering
Leaded components (connectors, transformers, power capacitors) are soldered by wave, selectively or by hand depending on the run.
Testing and programming
Automated optical inspection, in-circuit electrical test, functional test on a bench, firmware programming: the subcontractor guarantees that the boards delivered work.
Conformal coating, potting and protection
A conformal coating or a resin potting protects boards against moisture, vibration and dust in harsh environments.
Cabling and harnesses
Cutting, stripping, crimping, connectorisation, marking and continuity tests: the workshop makes harnesses to drawing, singly or in volume.
Electrical panels and enclosures
Schematic design, layout, wiring, marking, testing and delivery documentation for control, power or distribution panels for machines and installations.
Materials worked
FR-4 and high-temperature laminates for printed circuit boardsFlexible and rigid-flex polyimide circuitsAluminium substrates for LED lightingCopper, lead-free HASL, ENIG or OSP finishesRoHS-compliant lead-free solderIndustrial wires and cables (flexible, shielded, oil-resistant)Connectors, lugs, terminal blocks and cable glandsEnclosures in painted steel, stainless steel, aluminium or polyester
Common applications
- Connected devices and sensors for the Internet of Things
- Measuring instrumentation and laboratory equipment
- Control boards for machines and automation
- Power electronics, charging and electric mobility
- Medical devices and healthcare equipment
- Home automation, lighting and building equipment
- Control panels for production lines
- Harnesses for plant, vehicles and rail equipment
What affects the price
-
1
Components
Often the biggest cost item. Prices vary with quantity, availability, procurement lead times and the choice between components supplied by you or bought by the assembler.
-
2
Printed circuit board technology
Number of layers, dimensions, track and via fineness, copper thickness, finish and controlled impedance change the price of the bare board.
-
3
Assembly complexity
The number of components, their fineness (small packages, BGA), the number of sides to assemble and the proportion of through-hole components affect time and cost.
-
4
Set-up costs
Solder paste stencil, machine programming, test fixtures, start-up: these fixed costs weigh heavily on small runs and are spread over large ones.
-
5
Testing and quality requirements
The level of inspection, functional tests, the target quality class, batch traceability and the subcontractor’s certifications all affect prices.
-
6
Quantity and frequency
The unit price falls with volume and repeat orders, but holding components in stock has to be organised with the assembler.
Tips for a successful request
Post a request- Provide the Gerber files (RS-274X) or ODB++, the drill file, the stack-up description and the impedance requirements.
- Attach a complete bill of materials (BOM): manufacturer part number, description, quantity, reference designators, acceptable alternatives, components that must not be substituted.
- Add the component placement file (pick & place), an assembly drawing and the test and programming instructions.
- Specify the target quality standard (for example class 2 or 3 of IPC-A-610) and the certifications expected of the subcontractor.
- State which components you supply yourself and which the subcontractor is to source, as well as your tolerance for substitutions.
- For a panel, attach the electrical schematic, the equipment list, layout constraints, the applicable standard and the level of documentation required.
From bare board to assembled board: the steps and the files expected
An electronic board is born in two stages. The printed circuit board is first manufactured from the production files, then the components are assembled and the board tested. Both stages can be entrusted to the same subcontractor, which simplifies responsibility, or to two different companies.
For the bare PCB, the standard is the Gerber RS-274X file, accompanied by a drill file and a description of the stack-up (number of layers, thicknesses, copper). The ODB++ and IPC-2581 formats bring this information together. Specify the pad finish (lead-free HASL for everyday use, ENIG for fine-pitch packages or wire bonding, OSP for reduced cost), the solder mask colour and the quality requirements, such as the IPC classes.
For assembly, the subcontractor needs the bill of materials, the component placement file, an assembly drawing and your quality requirements (class 1, 2 or 3 of IPC-A-610 depending on the reliability sought). Prototypes in a few copies are often assembled manually or semi-manually; the series goes onto an automatic line, with optical inspection.
A point often underestimated: component sourcing. Lead times and availability can vary greatly, with some part numbers becoming obsolete or allocated. Ask the assembler how it handles alternatives and losses, and state whether you supply some components on consignment. Anticipate this work from the design phase with your design office.
Electrical panels and cabling: standards, documentation and responsibility
A custom electrical panel is not just a box filled with components: it is equipment whose design and testing follow standards. For machines, the EN 60204-1 standard (NF EN 60204-1 in France) governs the electrical equipment; for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies, the EN 61439 series (NF EN 61439 in France) defines design and verification requirements. Building installations in France, for their part, follow the NF C 15-100 standard.
A serious subcontractor works from validated schematics, layout drawings and an equipment list. Depending on the project, it may also carry out the design: schematics, calculation of cable sizes and protection, choice of equipment. It then supplies the wired and marked panel, the compliance tests (protective continuity, dielectric strength, operation) and the as-built documentation. Export requirements, such as the American UL 508A standard, should be specified from the quote request.
Harness cabling follows a similar logic: wiring diagram, wire and connector references, suitable crimping tools, marking, continuity and insulation testing. Quality standards, for example IPC/WHMA-A-620, set acceptance criteria for crimps and wire soldering.
If final installation of the panel in a machine is part of the project, also see the mechanical assembly page. Responsibility for the CE marking of the complete machine generally remains with whoever places it on the market; specify this when writing the specification.
Prototype, pre-series, series: choosing your electronics subcontractor
The needs of a prototype and of a regular series are opposite. For a few boards, look for a flexible supplier, able to source components one at a time, accept a last-minute change and return boards to you within a few days. For a series, favour an assembler equipped with automatic lines, a proven quality system and component stock management.
Check the following before committing: certifications useful to your sector (ISO 9001, ISO 13485 for medical, IATF 16949 for automotive, EN 9100 for aerospace), RoHS and REACH compliance, test capabilities, batch traceability and the ability to support you from prototype to series. Our guide from prototype to series details this progression.
For a complete product, the board is often integrated into a housing: see the plastics processing page or sheet metalwork for covers, and prototyping for assembling a first demonstration unit. In your Meaflow request, clearly separate the bare board, the assembly and the component sourcing: each interested subcontractor then quotes these three items, and the comparison of offers, with their component assumptions and lead times, is made on the same lines. Post your project with your manufacturing files.
Guides to go further
From prototype to series production: the stages of industrialisation
Mock-up, functional prototype, pre-series, tooling, qualification: how to structure the move from a single unit to repeatable production, and choose the right processes for your volumes.
Writing a manufacturing specification: method and template
What a workshop needs to know to quote and make your part: a method in a few points, a ready-to-copy template and common mistakes to avoid.
How to Write a Subcontracting Quote That Stands Out
Read the brief, set out a credible price and lead time, include the right details and stand out from other workshops: a step-by-step method.
Related expertise
Prototyping
Functional prototypes, pre-series, models
Mechanics & assembly
Assembly, integration, machine maintenance
Plastics & moulding
Plastic injection, thermoforming, moulds, silicone
Design office & CAD
Design, drawings, 3D modelling, calculations
Frequently asked questions
A question not answered here? Visit the help centre or write to us.
How much does PCB manufacturing cost?
The price depends on the number of layers, dimensions, track fineness, finish and quantity. A simple board in a small run remains affordable, whereas a multilayer board with controlled impedance costs more. Set-up costs weigh mainly on small quantities. Send your Gerber files to get precise, comparable quotes.
Which files should I provide to have an electronic board assembled?
Provide the Gerber files, the bill of materials (BOM) with manufacturer part numbers and quantities, the component placement file (pick & place) and an assembly drawing. Add the test and programming instructions and your quality requirements. The more complete the file, the fewer questions the assembler asks and the faster the quote.
What is the lead time for manufacturing and assembling a board?
A prototype printed circuit board can be delivered in a few days, but assembly depends first on component availability, which can stretch the lead time to several weeks, as a guide. For a series, also allow for line preparation. Plan component sourcing early and ask the assembler for a detailed schedule.
Can I have just a few boards assembled?
Yes, many subcontractors accept prototypes and very small runs, often with manual or semi-automatic assembly. The unit price is then high, because of set-up costs and the sourcing of components one by one. State in your request that it is a prototype and whether a series could follow.
Who supplies the components: me or the assembler?
Both options exist. The assembler can buy all the components from your bill of materials, which simplifies management, or you can supply all or part of them on consignment. Fix in the quote who bears losses, possible substitutions in case of shortages and the ownership of the remaining stock.
Do I need a certified electrician for an electrical panel?
For a panel intended for a machine or an installation, the subcontractor must comply with the applicable standards and have authorised personnel. Quality certifications or sector references are a plus. Specify the target standard, the level of documentation and the tests expected from the quote stage, so as to compare offers of the same level.
Need help with electronics?
Describe your project for free and compare price quotes from workshops.
Are you a electronics workshop?
Create your profile for free and respond to requests that match your expertise.