Small-scale production of simple electronics: in Russia or in China?
I recently developed one simple device. I had to decide the question of how to make a trial batch of 50 boards. I think this experience will be useful to all DIY enthusiasts who are already thinking about what to do next after the device is ready.
I note that this article is not a marketing research or something like that, which claims to objectively cover the issue. This is solely one private personal experience.
The device itself is very simple and fairly typical. Without going into details: STM32 microcontroller, 8x2 LCD indicator, four buttons, the minimum required weight. Diluted on a double-layer PCB, mounting SMD (about 70 soldering points) and pin (35 points).
Despite the fact that I am professionally engaged in the development of electronics, but in this case - this is my personal project, which I did in my spare time (which is never enough). Of course, to collect 50 boards in principle is real (especially if there is a stove). And it would be one of the cheapest manufacturing options. But, since this activity does not generate income yet, then investing your time in a stupid build is not the best solution, IMHO.
')
In order to start working with manufacturers, you need:
- Generate Gerber files for the board. Everything is obvious, you just need to remember to check the capabilities of a specific production (gaps, track width, etc) and make a DRC.
- Prepare a list of items (BOM-list). Moreover, it is desirable to find all the components on Digikey or Farnell (or where you planned to purchase) and enter the order code or link to each item. Some manufacturers with whom I corresponded did not accept the BOM list without it. In the end, you yourself will know how much the equipment will cost per board.
I searched on alibaba.com and aliexpress.com
Keywords: PCBA, PCB assembly.
Prices are listed there just like that, they should not pay attention. You can rely on the Minimum Order, but as it turned out not always.
The message sent to the manufacturer with alibaba goes to the sales manager, and then the correspondence follows by email. It must be said that the Chinese respond promptly and write detailed letters in fairly normal English.
In fact, the importation of electronics entails working with customs. Fortunately, there are a lot of firms that bring goods from China for domestic dealers, dealers, who actually solve all transport and customs issues. I also made a request among several such firms. On average, it turns out about $ 50 for delivery to Moscow.
I managed to talk with four manufacturers from China and two from Russia.
The conditions were as follows:
- I was interested in the cheapest option to the detriment of time. I needed to get the lowest possible price, even if it would be very long.
- In order to optimize prices, I asked whether it was possible to buy components directly in China, where they are obviously cheaper than in online stores like Digikey. By the way, no one agreed to make such a selection. I do not exclude that some cheaper Chinese parts will be supplied, but this is not stated in the estimated cost.
Actually, the results in the table.
China
Russia
I chose a Chinese manufacturer. And I will recommend to all my colleagues, at least, to consider the possibility of production in China, regardless of the lot size.
I note that this article is not a marketing research or something like that, which claims to objectively cover the issue. This is solely one private personal experience.
1. Device
The device itself is very simple and fairly typical. Without going into details: STM32 microcontroller, 8x2 LCD indicator, four buttons, the minimum required weight. Diluted on a double-layer PCB, mounting SMD (about 70 soldering points) and pin (35 points).
2. Why build on the side?
Despite the fact that I am professionally engaged in the development of electronics, but in this case - this is my personal project, which I did in my spare time (which is never enough). Of course, to collect 50 boards in principle is real (especially if there is a stove). And it would be one of the cheapest manufacturing options. But, since this activity does not generate income yet, then investing your time in a stupid build is not the best solution, IMHO.
')
3. What you need to start
In order to start working with manufacturers, you need:
- Generate Gerber files for the board. Everything is obvious, you just need to remember to check the capabilities of a specific production (gaps, track width, etc) and make a DRC.
- Prepare a list of items (BOM-list). Moreover, it is desirable to find all the components on Digikey or Farnell (or where you planned to purchase) and enter the order code or link to each item. Some manufacturers with whom I corresponded did not accept the BOM list without it. In the end, you yourself will know how much the equipment will cost per board.
4. Where to look for a manufacturer
I searched on alibaba.com and aliexpress.com
Keywords: PCBA, PCB assembly.
Prices are listed there just like that, they should not pay attention. You can rely on the Minimum Order, but as it turned out not always.
The message sent to the manufacturer with alibaba goes to the sales manager, and then the correspondence follows by email. It must be said that the Chinese respond promptly and write detailed letters in fairly normal English.
5. Delivery to Russia from China
In fact, the importation of electronics entails working with customs. Fortunately, there are a lot of firms that bring goods from China for domestic dealers, dealers, who actually solve all transport and customs issues. I also made a request among several such firms. On average, it turns out about $ 50 for delivery to Moscow.
6. Sampling
I managed to talk with four manufacturers from China and two from Russia.
The conditions were as follows:
- I was interested in the cheapest option to the detriment of time. I needed to get the lowest possible price, even if it would be very long.
- In order to optimize prices, I asked whether it was possible to buy components directly in China, where they are obviously cheaper than in online stores like Digikey. By the way, no one agreed to make such a selection. I do not exclude that some cheaper Chinese parts will be supplied, but this is not stated in the estimated cost.
Actually, the results in the table.
China
| ITEAD Studio imall.iteadstudio.com | $ 594 |
| Hangzhou Singo Tech Co., LTD www.hzsingo.com , hzsingo.en.alibaba.com | quickly replied that they do not make small batches (although it is written in alibaba that from 100 pieces) |
| DALIAN JY ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. www.jiayuan-dl.com jydz.en.alibaba.com | $ 520 |
| HongTai Technology LTD. www.htpcba.com htpcba.en.alibaba.com | $ 970 |
Russia
| Neva Electronics Ltd. nelectro.ru | $ 1250 |
| PC Altonika www.pk-altonika.ru | They quickly replied that small parties do not, they recommend to appeal when the party will be from 500 pieces - so profitable |
| Contract Electronics www.contractelectronica.ru | Did not answer |
| Electronics for life e4life.ru | Did not answer |
Conclusion
I chose a Chinese manufacturer. And I will recommend to all my colleagues, at least, to consider the possibility of production in China, regardless of the lot size.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/241493/
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