PCB Frequently Asked Questions
Printed Circuit Board Quotes And Order Policies
How do I keep my order from going "CAM Hold"
What if I need to cancel my PCB order?
Why can't I get a quote for a dimension less than .5"?
Where should I send my files to get a printed circuit board quote or place an order?
Will you allow me to put several part numbers together and run as one printed circuit board offer?
How do I account in quoting for an internal cutout or irregular rout requirements?
How do you define your "Protos (Standard Spec) shipped on Time or Free Policy"?
Under what conditions will Advanced Circuits change my requested method of shipment?
What happens if UPS, FedEX, or DHL is late in delivering my order?
Who is responsible for import fees and custom charges on international order (outside the U.S.)?
How do you define your PCB turntimes?
Do you schedule out shipments?
Will RoHS Lead-Free Production (Custom Spec) Boards be marked with lead-free symbol?
How do you define "No minimum quantity"?
How do I keep my order from going on "CAM Hold"?
There are multiple reasons that an order gets placed on hold, such as corrupt files, omitted information, or missing connections. To avoid having your order placed on hold, please review the "How to Avoid CAM Hold" section, click here
What if I need to cancel my order?
A prorated cancellation fee will be charged for cancelled orders depending on fabrication status at the time of cancellation. $33 Each, $66 Each, and Barebones orders are subject to 100% cancellation fee. Please contact your Salesperson immediately and follow up with a fax or e-mail to confirm and provide written record for any verbal cancellation.
Why can't I get a quote for less than .5"?
Our matrix is set to 0.5", enter 0.5" as the dimensional unit for quoting only. If you have a dimension less than 0.5", enter 0.5" as the dimension or call your Sales Person to get a quote. If you place an order from this quote, be sure to put the actual dimensions in the COMMENTS section of the order. Your printed circuit board will be fabricated to your actual dimensions. There may be additional costs associated with your smaller dimensions.
Where should I send my files to get a Printed Circuit Board quote or place an order?
For QUOTING, you have 3 Easy Options:
a. Web
b. File Upload,
c. E-mail,
click here for more details on all options
For ORDERING, you have 4 Easy Options:
a. Web
b. E-mail
c. Fax
d. Phone
click here for more details on all options
Will you allow me to put several part numbers together and run as one printed circuit board order?
You are welcome to panelize circuit boards together to make one order. To do this, all your files must come to us pre-panelized. However, we cannot rout these into into individual boards. They will be shipped to you as a tab routed array or as an un-routed array as you specify on full spec orders. Multiple parts or step and repeat of a single design are available for the $33 Each and $66 Each Specials for an additional charge of $50; however, individual or tab routing of the multiple images is not included in this service.
How do I account in quoting for an internal cutout or irregular rout requirements?
Follow the perimeter outline or internal cutouts and count one CNC Rout point for each "turn" in directions. The CNC points reflect how many times the router bit turns or stops and is used for cost analysis. Use 8 CNC rout points for a circle and for each individual pcb in a tab-routed array and 3 for a radius. Use 2 for a narrow slot.
How do you define your "Protos (Standard Spec) Shipped on time or Free" policy?
a. We guarantee shipment for our protos (Standard Spec) within our standard proto turn times which is 3 days for double-sided and 5 days for multilayers. If we ship after these time intervals, we will upgrade the method of shipment at our expense if necessary to ensure ontime arrival to customer. If we cannot upgrade the shipping, we will, when requested by customer, provide a credit to offset the cost of the boards. For orders having partial shipments, only those boards shipped "late" qualify for the "on time or Free" policy.
b. For proto (Standard Spec) orders placed with expedited turn times less than these standard times and shipped late, an expedite cost credit for each day beyond the order ship date will be available to the customer up to the time when the standard turntime is exceeded. If the applicable standard turn time is exceeded, then the "Free" aspect of this policy will apply. Exceptions to policy if shipment upgrades can be made and/or partial shipments are detailed above.
Under what conditions will Advanced Circuits change my requested method of shipment?Our intent is to always ship via the carrier you choose and to use your shipping account number if provided; however, all the carriers (UPS, FedEX, and DHL) have different pickup schedules during the day and evening. Our last pickup is provided by UPS. If your order is ready for pickup after the final pickup time by your requested carrier we will change the carrier, as we assume that it is more important to you that you receive your order on time as expected rather than what carrier is used. In doing so, we will not be able to use your shipping account number. We will ship it on our account and add the shipping charges to your invoice. If you request a change to this policy, we will be glad to hold your order until the following day's scheduled pickup by your preferred carrier.
What happens if UPS, FedEX, or DHL is late in delivering my order?
We work very hard to make sure all your PCB orders get shipped on time. There are occasions, however, when the freight carriers have delays and/or make shipment errors. We regret when this happens but we cannot be responsible for delays by these carriers.
Who is responsible for import fees and custom charges on international order (outside the U.S.)?
All International customers are responsible for their own custom charges and import fees on all orders.
How do you define your turntimes?
The day order is processed and confirmed to customer is counted as Day 0. 1-day turn orders, for example, ship next business day. Same-Day orders ship same day if received and confirmed to customer NLT 8:30 a.m. Mountain Time M-F. "Weekend Wonder" Same Day orders received and processed on Friday (NLT 12:00 noon for 2-layer and 3:00 p.m. for multi-layers) will be shipped on Saturday for Monday delivery.
Do you schedule out shipments?
We will schedule out shipments over a 6-month period; however, the order will be manufactured at the discretion of Advanced Circuits to maximize production (Custom Spec) capabilities and cost efficiencies. If for any reason this order is cancelled at any time prior to the final scheduled shipment, any or all of the completed order will be subject to a cancellation fee which may be up to 100% depending on the manufacturing status at the time of cancellation. Customer is liable for all completed product quantities.
Will RoHS Lead-Free Production (Custom Spec) Boards be marked with lead-free symbol?
RoHS compliant lead-free Production (Custom Spec) boards will be marked with a lead-free symbol if requested by customer. If not specifcally indicated on fab drawing or requested in seperate document, the lead free symbol will not be added. No symbos of any kind are added to protos other than the work order number for fabrication identification purposes.
How do you define "No minimum Qty"?
If you order off of our normal quote matrix, there is no minimum quantity. But if you order off the "33each" and "66each" website's, the min. qty is 4 (and you recieve 1 Free Extra Board).