Well said Jeffrey,
I would like to also add that PWB size and shape can add cost by not utilizing
the full sq. area of a fabrication panel (usually 18.00 X 24.00 Inches)
Utilizing 80% of Panel versus 60% is an easy way to cut cost.
While board profile is being developed, how it relates to full usage of Panel
should always be part of the design requirements.
Greg Scott
Sr. Designer
Cray Inc.
"McGlaughlin, Jeffrey A" wrote:
> Steve -
>
> It is difficult (read as nearly impossible and highly improbable) to
> generate a cost matrix for PCB/PWB if you work with more than one
> fabricator. The cause for this is the large number of variables involved.
> Some of the variables are the technology used in the design, market demand
> at the time of order, materials, time to delivery, quantity, etc. Each of
> the fabricators that I work with has a different calculator for determining
> the prices of a given design, their NRE, and additional charges for testing
> and shipping. Generally the variation in price is only a few hundred dollars
> US , but I have seen variations in the cost quoted for a single design as
> great as $10000us. Additionally, factors like the guarantee of follow on
> production orders which can skew these numbers even more.
>
> So much for the bad news, now for the tirade against bean-counters... >:^>
>
> New technology *may* cost more than someone guessed in the planning
> meetings, but it may be the only thing that allows you to meet schedule and
> operational requirements set for the product. If you involved the designers
> in the up-front planning of a new product development project, not after the
> schematics and primary components have been selected and purchased it might
> be possible to direct the project in to a less costly technology. To many
> times I have seen the lead EE select a component because it is the "latest
> and greatest" thing on the market, only to find out that it will push the
> limits of layout and fabrication technology. Designers tend to be
> conservative in our approach to development, we normally want to stay away
> from the *bleeding edge* of our and our fabricators capabilities to
> guarantee a successful design.
>
> It may also be useful to look at cost effectivity of moving to a more
> advanced design rule set, over the time involved in using a *less* expensive
> technology. I often find that a savings of 1 or 2 man-weeks of my time far
> exceeds the cost of the technology in the run of a small project.
>
> Sorry - sore subject,
>
> Jeffrey A. McGlaughlin CID
> Sr. Designer
> Battelle Memorial Institute
> Columbus Ohio
> [log in to unmask]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stephen Brown [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 9:35 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [TN] Raw Card Cost Matrix.
>
> I'm trying to design a costing matrix for raw cards so our designers can
> estimate the costs of their raw card designs, this will hopefully slow
> down their lust for technology and get them considering project budget
> costs. Does anyone know of where I can access this information so I know
> a basic cost / sq. inch and then add percentage costs for extra layers,
> different surface finishes, impedance control, extra drilled holes and
> if I use buried via's. Any information will be gratefully received.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Steve Brown.
>
> Xyratex.
>
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