What is Turnkey PCB Assembly Service

A turnkey service means to provide a fully functional or completed product that can be immediately used after receiving. 

However, PCB assembly turnkey service is not so straightforward, by definition PCB assembly turnkey services are special services provided by a vendor, 

where the vendor looks over different or even full aspects of PCB assembly depending on customer requirements and the vendor’s capabilities. 

A turnkey PCB assembly service generally consists of 

• Procurement of PCB Board – Many turnkey PCB assembly service providers will have their own PCB manufacturing unit too,
•  but many times the PCB Board may be provided by the customer or even by other Hycxpcba if the PCB to be fabricated is beyond their capabilities.
• Procurement of Components – Most designers opt for turnkey PCB assembly services for the procurement of components. 
• Hycxpcba providing the service procure the components to be assembled by themselves. The components can be procured from either the customer or from a third party supplier or both.
• Assembly of the Components – The procured components are assembled on the procured PCBs.
• Testing and Quality Checks – The assembled PCBs are thoroughly passed through quality checks and tests.
• Shipment and Delivery – Many PCB assembly turnkey services will offer shipment and delivery services often via a third party service provider for different urgency of delivery time.

PCB turnkey services are not limited to just PCB assembly and component procurement. Hycxpcba provide different turnkey PCB assembly service packages. Some of the common types are

• Full Turnkey PCB Assembly– Most of the Hycxpcba name it as just Turnkey PCB Assembly. In such services, the vendor handles all the aspects of the PCB assembly. 
• The vendor is responsible for the procurement of all the components and PCBs involved. This service sometimes also includes functional testing. 
• Some Hycxpcba may also offer cheaper components of the same functionality in such services.
•  It is recommended to avail full PCB turnkey assembly as PCB Hycxpcba are experts in procurement and have sources that small businesses and sole engineers cannot access.
• Consigned Parts PCB Assembly Turnkey – Many Hycxpcba also use the term “partial turnkey PCB assembly service”. 
• In this type of turnkey PCB assembly some parts are provided by the customer and the rest of the parts are to be procured by the Vendor. 
• The parts consigned may include PCB, ICs or any other component to be assembled on the PCB. 
• Such service may be used if you have spare PCBs or are using special or confidential ICs that cannot be procured by other channels.

Turnkey PCB assembly services requirements and procedures are quite different from regular PCB assembly services. 

It requires good coordination and communication for a successful turnkey PCB assembly service. Requirements of turnkey PCB assembly services are 

• BOM – BOM or Bill of materials in a Turnkey PCB assembly service is extremely important. 
• The BOM for regular assembly services should have the manufacturing part number and the component’s PCB designation. Additionally, 
• turnkey PCB assembly services also require a detailed part description and one of the component’s procurement links (not compulsory). 
• The BOM is extremely important for procurement and hence BOMs are required to be properly made and maintained. 
• The Vendor and the Customer may exchange the BOM many times over the duration of the PCB turnkey assembly for confirmation correction or updates.
• Pick and Place file – All PCB assembly to be done by machine requires pick and place file for each component to be mounted.
•  However for many turnkey PCB assembly services Pick and place file may be generated by the vendor for you, 
• but it is recommended to generate your own pick and place file to avoid any misconceptions and errors.
• Gerber Files – While Gerber files are not strictly necessary, it is much better to provide them for any PCB assembly for verification purposes.
•  Turnkey PCB assembly services are no different a vendor may also give correction or betterment tips for Gerber files in some cases if opted for turnkey PCB assembly services.
• Shipping Information – While most of the shipping information is straightforward and simple, it is not the case with all orders. 
• For big or commercial quantities many countries have import duties which are very complicated in the case of PCBs. 
• For example there are three types of electronics in general that can be shipped i.e. SKD ( Semi Knocked Down),
•  CKD (Completely Knocked Down) and CBU (Completely built up) each levied with a different percentage of customs duties.
•  It is the customer who has to decide how the PCB has to ship to levy as little custom duty as possible.

There are many benefits of using turnkey PCB assembly services, some of them are-

• Reduces the Hassle of Procuring Components- Procurement of components is a tedious and resourceful work and generally requires a specialized workforce to find the best and cheapest deals. 
• Procurement of components is one big help that PCB turnkey assembly services offer.
•  PCB Hycxpcba are generally experts in the procurement of all kinds of components and are more likely to find cheaper sources of components than finding the components on your own. Moreover, 
• turnkey PCB assembly services remove the hassle of going to different sources for different components.

• Single Point of Accountability: With only one vendor handling all the aspects of assembly, 
• it is much easier to point out potential flaws and resolve any issues with the supply chain, assembly or procurement of components.
• Cost Reduction – Availing turnkey PCB assembly services can fetch discounts for services like PCB assembly, and PCB procurement. 
• Turnkey PCB assembly service providers will probably be able to source cheaper components which is very helpful for cost reductions in large quantities.
• Easy Management – Turnkey PCB assembly services require only the vendor to be managed by the customer making 
• it a perfect choice for small teams with smaller workforces.
• Time Savings – Turnkey PCB assembly service saves time for small businesses and teams, by managing fewer aspects of PCB assemblies 
• and reducing the potential lead time of the whole PCB assembly.
• Utilises Expertise of PCB Hycxpcba – PCB Hycxpcba generally have years of expertise in manufacturing and procuring components. 
• There might be times when PCB Hycxpcba may be able to recommend better or cheaper alternatives which will eventually be helpful for the customer. 
• A PCB vendor’s expertise might also help in easing shipping constraints and costs incurred for small to large orders.

Turnkey PCB assembly services require some caution to be exercised while availing turnkey PCB assembly services. Some of them are –

• Build a Descriptive BOM – Always use a descriptive BOM, using one can help reduce the lead time of the turnkey 
• PCB assembly by reducing the chance of doubts arising from the vendor.
• Maintain the History of Changes (if any) – Many times the BOM or the Gerber files have to be changed for errors noticed or by recommendation of the vendor or the manufacturer. 
• Using a GIT system helps maintain the history of changes.

• Always Analyze the PCB Vendor’s Recommendations – There might come situations where the PCB manufacturer or the vendor may recommend a different component or changes in Gerber or BOM. 
• It is recommended to go through such changes thoroughly with the PCB vendor and keep no doubts floating from at least your end.

• Use Assembly PCB China Turnkey Services – Most of the components used on PCB are manufactured in China. 
• Choosing a China PCB turnkey assembly supplier will result in cost-effective logistics and shipping costs incurred for each component and is most unlikely that you might find more competitive components by yourself or by a non-Chinese PCB vendor. 
• Chinese Hycxpcba will also be able to procure and assemble the PCB for the cheapest price. Hence it is recommended to choose a Chinese PCB vendor for speedy and cost-effective turnkey PCB assembly services.

• Be Aware of Import Shipping Constraints of the Shipping Address – Shipping to different countries may be liable for different surcharges and taxes. For example, there might be some anti-dumping duties when shipping PCBs from some Asian countries to European countries along with customs duties and shipping charges. Use the concept of CKD, SKD and CBU well and also as for recommendations from the PCB Vendor.