Frequently Asked Questions - PCB Assembly

Frequently Asked Questions About PCB Assembly

Get answers to the most common questions about Newmatik's express PCB assembly services, capabilities, processes, and more.

General Questions

Q: What makes Newmatik different from other EMS providers?

A: Our key differentiators are:

• Express 10-day delivery for prototypes and small series
• No minimum order quantities - we assemble from 1 piece
• Dual facilities: Made in Germany for quality, Romania for cost-competitiveness
• Fully digital online portal for instant quotes and order tracking
• Personal support with direct access to experienced engineers
• Independent European supply chain - not dependent on Asia

Q: What does "Express Service in 10 Days" mean exactly?

A: From the moment we receive your complete order (PCBs, BOM, assembly data), we deliver fully assembled and tested boards within 10 working days. This includes component sourcing, assembly, inspection, and testing. Standard EMS providers typically need 6-8 weeks for the same service.

Q: Do you only do express orders, or can you handle volume production too?

A: We handle both! Express prototyping (10 days) and volume production (2-4 weeks depending on quantity). Our Romania facility offers cost-competitive pricing for volumes from 100 to 10,000+ pieces, while maintaining the same quality standards.

Capabilities & Services

Q: What is your assembly capability range?

A: We can assemble:

• Component sizes: 01005 to large connectors
• Fine-pitch BGAs down to 0.3mm pitch
• QFNs, LGAs, PoP (Package-on-Package)
• Through-hole components (selective and wave soldering)
• Mixed technology (SMT + THT)
• Board sizes: up to 80 x 50 cm (custom equipment)
• Board thickness: 0.4mm to 6mm
• Flex, rigid-flex, and aluminum-core (IMS) PCBs

Q: Do you offer vacuum vapor phase soldering?

A: Yes! We have a vacuum vapor phase soldering (VPS) system specifically for:

• Void-free BGA assembly for aerospace and high-reliability applications
• Gentle thermal profiles for sensitive components
• Reproducible, documented processes
• Ideal for medical, aerospace, and military electronics

Q: Can you handle special requirements like conformal coating, potting, or box build?

A: Yes, we offer:

• Conformal coating (acrylic, silicone, urethane, parylene)
• Selective coating
• Potting and encapsulation
• Final assembly (box build) with enclosures
• Cable assembly and harnessing
• Testing and programming

Q: What PCB types can you assemble?

A: We assemble all PCB types:

• Single, double-sided, and multilayer (up to 30+ layers)
• Rigid, flex, and rigid-flex
• Aluminum-core (IMS) and metal-core PCBs
• High-frequency (RF) boards
• Heavy copper boards
• Any standard or special material (FR4, polyimide, Rogers, etc.)

Quality & Standards

Q: What quality standards do you follow?

A: We manufacture to:

• IPC-A-610 Class 2 (standard) and Class 3 (high reliability)
• IPC J-STD-001 soldering standards
• ISO 9001 quality management
• Support for AS9100 (aerospace)
• REACH and RoHS compliant

Q: Do you have IATF 16949 certification for automotive?

A: Not currently, but we manufacture to automotive-grade standards and can meet customer-specific automotive requirements including PPAP documentation, selective soldering, X-ray inspection, and full traceability.

Q: What inspection and testing do you perform?

A: Standard inspections include:

• Visual inspection by trained IPC-certified operators
• X-ray inspection for BGAs and hidden solder joints
• First article inspection (FAI)
• In-circuit testing (ICT) if test fixtures provided
• Functional testing per customer specifications
• Process verification and documentation

Q: Do you offer full traceability?

A: Yes! Complete component-level traceability including:

• Component manufacturer, batch/lot numbers
• PCB batch tracking
• Assembly process parameters
• Test results
• Long-term document retention (10+ years for medical)

Pricing & Ordering

Q: How much does PCB assembly cost?

A: Pricing depends on:

• Board complexity (number of components, BGA count, board size)
• Order quantity (volume discounts apply)
• Service speed (express vs standard)
• Special requirements (testing, coating, certification)

Use our online calculator for instant quotes. Typical express prototype pricing starts around 500-1500 EUR depending on complexity. Volume production from Romania is highly cost-competitive.

Q: What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

A: We have NO minimum order quantity. We assemble from 1 piece up. This makes us ideal for:

• Prototyping and R&D
• Small series production
• Spare parts and replacements
• Testing and validation

Q: Do you offer volume discounts?

A: Yes! Significant discounts apply for:

• 100+ pieces: ~20-30% discount
• 500+ pieces: ~40-50% discount
• 1000+ pieces: Custom pricing, maximum cost efficiency from Romania facility

Q: Can you source components, or do I need to supply them?

A: We offer three options:

1. Full turnkey: We source all components
2. Consignment: You supply all components
3. Partial turnkey: Mix - you supply critical/special parts, we source standard parts

For turnkey, we source from authorized European distributors (Mouser, Digi-Key, Farnell, RS, etc.) ensuring genuine components.

Q: How do I get a quote?

A: Three easy ways:

1. Online portal: Upload your files to our customer portal for instant automated quote
2. Email: Send BOM, Gerbers, and assembly data to our sales team
3. Phone: Call us for complex projects requiring engineering discussion

Q: What files do you need for assembly?

A: Required files:

• BOM (Bill of Materials) in Excel or CSV
• Centroid file (pick-and-place data) with component positions and orientations
• Gerber files or ODB++ for PCB reference
• Assembly drawings showing component placement, polarity, and special instructions (optional but helpful)

Lead Times & Logistics

Q: What are your standard lead times?

A: Our lead times:

• Express prototypes: 10 working days
• Standard small series (10-100 pcs): 2-3 weeks
• Volume production (100-1000+ pcs): 3-4 weeks
• Very large volumes (10,000+ pcs): Custom schedule

Lead times start when we have PCBs, all components, and complete data.

Q: Can you go faster than 10 days?

A: In urgent cases, yes! We've delivered rush orders in 5-7 days. Contact us to discuss feasibility and surcharge for super-express service.

Q: Do you ship internationally?

A: Yes! We ship worldwide via:

• DHL Express (1-3 days Europe, 2-5 days worldwide)
• UPS
• FedEx
• Standard postal service for non-urgent shipments

All shipments are tracked and insured.

Q: What about customs and import duties?

A: For EU customers: No customs or VAT complications - all intra-EU trade.

For non-EU customers: You may be responsible for import duties and VAT in your country. We provide all necessary documentation (commercial invoice, packing list, certificates of origin).

Technical Support

Q: Do you offer Design for Manufacturing (DFM) review?

A: Yes, included free! Our engineers review your design for:

• Manufacturability issues
• Component placement problems
• Solderability concerns
• Testability
• Cost optimization opportunities

We provide a detailed DFM report within 24 hours of order placement.

Q: Can you help with PCB design?

A: Yes! We offer complete electronics development services:

• Schematic capture
• PCB layout and routing
• Component selection and BOM optimization
• Firmware development
• Enclosure design
• Complete product development from concept to production

Q: What if there's a problem during assembly?

A: We maintain close communication throughout the process. If we encounter issues:

• We contact you immediately for clarification
• Provide photos/details of the issue
• Suggest solutions
• Get your approval before proceeding
• Never make assumptions - we always ask first

Q: Do you offer engineering support after delivery?

A: Yes! Post-delivery support includes:

• Troubleshooting assistance
• Design optimization recommendations
• Rework services if needed
• Support for transitioning to volume production

Industry-Specific Questions

Q: Can you handle medical device assembly?

A: Yes! We support medical device manufacturers with:

• IPC Class 3 quality
• Full component traceability
• Batch documentation and retention
• Support for regulatory submissions (MDR, FDA)
• Clean room conditions available

Q: Can you manufacture aerospace/defense electronics?

A: Yes! We have experience with:

• AS9100 quality requirements
• Vacuum vapor phase soldering for void-free BGAs
• High-reliability processes
• Secure Made in Germany production
• NDA and confidentiality standard

Q: Do you support automotive electronics?

A: Yes! While not IATF 16949 certified, we support automotive customers with:

• Automotive-grade quality processes
• PPAP documentation
• Selective soldering and X-ray inspection
• Extended temperature component selection
• 10-day express for rapid prototyping

Supply Chain & Sourcing

Q: Are your components genuine, not counterfeit?

A: Absolutely! We source only from:

• Authorized European distributors (Mouser, Digi-Key, Farnell, RS, TME)
• Authorized manufacturer representatives
• Never from grey market or unknown brokers

All components come with full traceability and manufacturer certificates.

Q: Can you handle obsolete or hard-to-find components?

A: Yes, we have strategies for hard-to-source parts:

• Extensive distributor network across Europe
• Relationships with component manufacturers
• Suggest equivalent alternatives if original unavailable
• Support customer-supplied consignment for impossible-to-source parts

Q: Do you stock components?

A: We don't maintain general component inventory, but we can:

• Purchase components for your project and store them
• Establish kanban/consignment arrangements for repeat orders
• Secure long-term supply for your production programs

Q: How do you handle supply chain disruptions?

A: Our approach:

• Early communication about potential shortages
• Proactive component lifecycle monitoring
• Alternative component suggestions
• Flexible sourcing from multiple distributors
• European supply chain reduces Asia-dependency

Environmental & Compliance

Q: Are you RoHS and REACH compliant?

A: Yes, fully compliant! We:

• Use only RoHS-compliant components (unless customer specifies otherwise)
• Maintain REACH compliance documentation
• Can provide material declarations
• Support conflict minerals reporting

Q: Do you offer lead-free assembly?

A: Yes, lead-free (RoHS-compliant) assembly is our standard process. We can also do:

• Leaded assembly for aerospace/military (when required)
• Mixed assembly (some leaded, some lead-free on same board)

Q: What is your environmental policy?

A: We are committed to environmental responsibility:

• RoHS and REACH compliance
• Waste reduction and recycling programs
• Energy-efficient processes
• Proper disposal of electronic waste
• ISO 14001 environmental management principles

About Newmatik

Q: Where are you located?

A: We have two facilities:

• Germany (Hennweiler): Headquarters, engineering, prototypes, high-reliability production
• Romania: High-volume production facility for cost-competitive manufacturing

Both facilities maintain identical quality standards.

Q: How long have you been in business?

A: Over 35 years of experience in electronics manufacturing and PCB assembly. Family-owned, stable, and committed to long-term customer relationships.

Q: Can I visit your facility?

A: Absolutely! We welcome customer visits to both facilities. Contact us to schedule a tour and meet our team.

Still Have Questions?

If you didn't find your answer here, please contact us:

• Email: service@newmatik.com
• Phone: +49 6752 16998-0
• Online: Use our contact form or live chat

Our team is here to help!