What affects PCB Lead Time

When working with PCB suppliers, you may wonder why some orders take longer than expected. Here’s a clear breakdown of the main factors affecting delivery schedules — based on real industry experience.

 

  1. Design Complexity & Engineering Time
    • Multilayer PCBs (especially 8+ layers), HDI designs, and impedance control require longer engineering time.
    • Unclear documentation or last-minute design changes can cause 1–2 day delays.

 

  1. Material & Supply Chain Risks
    • Fluctuations in copper foil, special base materials, and IC chip availability can extend procurement time.
    • Global component shortages may prolong lead times by 30%–50%.

 

  1. Manufacturing Process & Quality Control
    • Special processes such as via-in-pad, heavy copper, or castellated holes require separate scheduling and add time.
    • Lack of First Article Inspection (FAI) increases the chance of rework, causing 2–3 days of additional delay.

 

  1. Production Issues & External Disruptions
    • High-difficulty boards like HDI may require re-fabrication in case of defects.
    • Logistics constraints, regulations (e.g. environmental restrictions), and unexpected events (e.g. quarantines) can also impact delivery.

 

  1. Order Volume & Capacity Allocation
    • Large orders often need batch processing, while small-volume jobs may be prioritized.
    • Limited production capacity or poor scheduling can lead to extended delivery times.

 

How to Improve Delivery Reliability:
• Finalize design and engineering requirements early
• Maintain safety stock for critical materials
• Ensure thorough production testing and reporting
• Align expectations and timelines in contracts
• Start with trial orders before scaling up

 

Looking for a trusted PCB manufacturing partner?
We provide professional, on-time delivery from prototyping to mass production.
Send us your design files for a quick, competitive quote--we’re ready to support your PCB project.


Perlina Tang

24 Blog posting

Komentar