FPCFAB coordinates flexible PCB assembly and FPCA projects covering component mounting, connector soldering, stiffener bonding, BOM review, assembly-drawing review, inspection, and production coordination for flexible printed circuit assemblies.
Because flexible circuits are thin and mechanically sensitive, the bare FPC, component layout, stiffener structure, panelization, fixture method, soldering process, and final bend conditions should be reviewed together before quotation.
Flexible PCB Assemblies We Support
Support is available for prototype and small-to-medium batch projects, subject to BOM, package, fixture, testing, and final-product review.
SMT Assembly on FPC
Placement and soldering support for resistors, capacitors, ICs, sensors, LEDs, and other suitable surface-mount components on flexible circuits.
Connector Assembly
FPC connectors, board-to-board connectors, battery connectors, signal connectors, and related reinforcement requirements.
Stiffened Component Areas
Stiffener bonding and position review for component support, connector insertion, local flatness, and assembly handling.
Prototype and Module Builds
Engineering samples, prototype FPCA, cable or module assemblies, and project-based small-to-medium batch production support.
Assembly Process Support
The exact process is selected according to the FPC construction, component packages, assembly density, product geometry, and inspection requirements.
| Production Preparation | Gerber, BOM, pick-and-place data, assembly drawings, polarity, reference designators, and component availability review. |
|---|---|
| Solder Paste and Placement | Solder-paste printing and SMT placement planned around pad geometry, component packages, FPC support, and panel handling. |
| Soldering | Reflow soldering, connector soldering, and manual soldering for suitable special components or project requirements. |
| Mechanical Support | Stiffener position, local flatness, carrier or fixture requirements, and handling controls for thin flexible materials. |
| Inspection | Visual inspection and electrical testing, with functional-test coordination discussed when customer requirements and test methods are available. |
| Packaging | Finished-product handling and packaging requirements reviewed according to component protection, FPC shape, and delivery needs. |
DFM Review Before FPCA Production
A combined fabrication and assembly review helps reduce communication gaps between bare FPC production and component assembly.
- BOM completeness, manufacturer part numbers, and package consistency
- Gerber, pick-and-place, assembly drawing, and polarity consistency
- Pad geometry, soldering areas, component spacing, and orientation
- Connector position, stiffener alignment, and insertion requirements
- Bend regions, component keep-out areas, and mechanical loading
- Panelization, carrier, fixture, handling, inspection, and test needs
Typical FPCA Project Workflow
Submit the Data Package
Send Gerber files, BOM, pick-and-place data, assembly drawings, quantities, and target delivery information.
Engineering and BOM Review
We review bare-board construction, components, packages, pads, connectors, stiffeners, fixtures, and missing data.
Confirm the Build Scope
Component sourcing responsibility, assembly process, testing, packaging, quantity, and delivery requirements are confirmed.
Prototype or Batch Assembly
The confirmed FPC and assembly data are used for production, inspection, and agreed project follow-up.
Components and Applications
Battery and BMS Modules
FPCA support for battery sensing, balancing, connector, and compact module-interconnection projects.
Sensors and Industrial Controls
Flexible assemblies for sensors, compact control products, instruments, and mechanically constrained electronics.
Medical and Wearable Products
Space-saving flexible assemblies requiring coordinated component, connector, stiffener, and bend-area review.
Displays, LEDs, and Consumer Devices
FPC assemblies for display modules, lighting, touch products, cameras, connectors, and compact electronic devices.
Files Needed for an Accurate FPCA Quote
- Gerber files and drill data
- Bill of materials with manufacturer part numbers
- Pick-and-place or centroid file
- Assembly drawing with polarity and orientation
- FPC stack-up, thickness, and stiffener requirements
- Component sourcing responsibility and approved alternatives
- Inspection, electrical test, or functional-test requirements
- Quantity, packaging, and target delivery date
Before Sending Your FPCA Files
If the project is still under development, preliminary files, drawings, samples, photos, or a partial BOM can still be reviewed. Clearly identify unfinished data so that quotation assumptions can be recorded and confirmed.
- Mark do-not-substitute or customer-controlled components
- Identify connectors and parts with special handling needs
- State whether components are customer-supplied or require sourcing support
- Provide the intended bend, installation, and operating conditions
What Affects an FPCA Quotation and Schedule?
FPCA cost and timing depend on both the flexible circuit and the assembly scope. A complete quotation requires the latest manufacturing files, a clear BOM, sourcing responsibility, inspection requirements, and the intended build quantity. Exact pricing and schedule are confirmed only after these items have been reviewed.
BOM and Component Availability
Manufacturer part numbers, approved alternatives, minimum order quantities, long-lead parts, customer-controlled components, and unclear package descriptions can significantly affect the review.
Assembly Complexity
Package sizes, connector style, component density, mixed SMT and manual operations, polarity control, and access to soldering areas influence process planning.
FPC Handling and Support
Thin flexible materials may need panel support, local stiffeners, carriers, or fixtures during printing, placement, soldering, inspection, and final handling.
Inspection and Testing Scope
Visual criteria, electrical checks, functional testing, programming, traceability, reports, and special packaging should be defined before the quotation is finalized.
Component Supply Options
| Customer-Supplied Components | The customer provides some or all components. Quantities, packaging format, labels, moisture sensitivity, extra allowance, and delivery timing should be agreed before assembly. |
|---|---|
| Sourcing Coordination | Parts are reviewed against the BOM and available sourcing channels. Approved substitutions, date-code expectations, and do-not-substitute items should be clearly marked. |
| Mixed Supply | Critical or customer-controlled components may be supplied by the customer while standard items are sourced separately. The responsibility for every BOM line should be unambiguous. |
Component procurement should not begin from an incomplete BOM. Manufacturer name, full manufacturer part number, package, quantity per assembly, and acceptable alternatives help prevent incorrect purchasing.
Common File and BOM Mismatches
- Reference designators in the BOM do not match the assembly drawing or pick-and-place file.
- Component packages in the BOM differ from the land patterns used in the PCB data.
- Polarity or pin-one orientation is missing for diodes, LEDs, ICs, connectors, or other directional parts.
- Pick-and-place coordinates use an unclear origin, rotation convention, or board side.
- Connector position, stiffener thickness, or contact-side requirements are not fully defined.
- Prototype substitutions are listed informally but not approved in the BOM.
- Functional-test instructions, test fixtures, firmware, or acceptance criteria are unavailable.
When files are inconsistent, the safest next step is to record the conflict and obtain written confirmation before purchasing components or starting assembly.
FPCA Design and Quotation Questions
Can an FPCA quote be prepared from Gerber and BOM files only?
An initial review may be possible, but pick-and-place data, assembly drawings, polarity information, sourcing decisions, and test requirements are usually needed before the scope can be confirmed.
Can the bare FPC and assembly be reviewed together?
Yes. Reviewing the FPC construction, pads, stiffeners, bend regions, components, and assembly data together helps identify interface risks before production.
What if the BOM is not final?
Send the latest revision and clearly mark open items. The review can identify missing manufacturer part numbers, package conflicts, sourcing decisions, and data required for a later quotation.
Can functional testing be included?
Testing can be discussed when the customer provides the test method, acceptance limits, connection requirements, firmware or programming needs, and any required fixture information.
Information That Helps Prevent Assembly Rework
- Identify the final installation direction and any areas that must remain flexible after assembly.
- State connector-mating direction, insertion depth, and mechanical-support requirements.
- Provide clear photos or drawings for hand-soldered wires, connectors, or mechanical parts.
- Separate prototype quantity from expected batch quantity and indicate likely design changes.
- Define cosmetic, cleanliness, packaging, labeling, and traceability expectations before production.
- Provide a controlled revision set so Gerber, BOM, placement, drawing, and test files belong to the same release.
Request a Flexible PCB Assembly Review
Send your Gerber files, BOM, pick-and-place data, assembly drawing, quantities, and project requirements. We will review the available information and confirm the next step for quotation.
Request an FPCA Quote Review RFQ Requirements