MEP EP#290: Avoiding Bean Counters
BGA vs. QFP - PCBA cost comparison
- Inspired by Tim Jager on the slack channel
- 48 pin QFP vs 56 pin BGA
- Escaping the package
- Layer count
- Increase in PCB tolerances
- Blind and buried vias required?
- Inspection costs
- Leaded packages like QFPs can easily be optically inspected
- BGAs typically require X-ray
- Tooling
- BGAs typically require small paste apertures and might require more expensive coatings and stencils
- Depending on lead spacing you may not need a stencil at your CM for a QFP
Using the MF platform to predict pricing
- Napkin math your PCB assembly cost the “easy” way
- Come up with a rough Bill of Materials
- Draw up a quick board outline that might be the size you require
- Enclosures dictate PCB sizes more often then not
- Upload to the platform
- Can change the bill of materials on the fly to make pricing considerations at prototype to high volume
- Ways to control pricing on your PCB Assembly