Assembly capabilities
Standard assembly capabilities, processes that need review, and what to send for review.
CircuitHub builds SMT, through-hole, mixed-technology, single-sided, and double-sided PCB assemblies. Core processes are standard; unusual components, special mechanics, testing, and finishing need review, while conformal coating and firmware pre-programming use specialist partners.
At a glance
Standard assembly capabilities include:
- automated and hand SMT placement;
- through-hole and mixed-technology assembly;
- single- and double-sided assembly;
- selective soldering and pin-in-paste;
- automated optical and human inspection;
- automatic panelization and depaneling;
- first articles; and
- rework and repair.
CircuitHub can assemble designs with small passives, fine-pitch ICs, QFN and DFN packages, BGA and micro-BGA packages, connectors, and odd-form components. An unusual package, presentation, size, weight, fragility, or placement may require manual review.
All PCB assembly, inspection, rework, and testing takes place at our factory in Massachusetts. Grid and Conventional assembly support different project profiles, so a capability may still depend on the design and assembly route.
Processes and additional services
| Capability | Availability | What to know or provide |
|---|---|---|
| Standard soldering | Standard | Uses lead-free, no-clean materials. |
| Cleaning | Standard, process selected by design | CircuitHub selects cleaning based on the wash compatibility of fitted components. See Board cleaning. |
| Press-fit components | Review required | Normally needs tooling specific to the board revision, which adds price and lead time. See Press-fit components. |
| RF shield soldering | Review required | May be available depending on the design and assembly route. See Automated shield soldering. |
| Leaded solder | Prior approval required | Not available for through-hole assembly. See Leaded solder requirements. |
| Standoffs and mechanical hardware | Review required | Add each item as a placed BOM part and clearly specify its location. See Standoffs. |
| Board-to-board assembly | Review required | May be available after review. See Assembly of two boards together. |
| Conformal coating | Specialist partner; review required | Provide keep-out information and material preferences. Coating is quoted separately and adds post-assembly time. See Conformal coating. |
| Firmware pre-programming | Specialist partner; review required | Provide firmware files in advance. Programming requires a first article and adds lead time. See Part firmware programming. |
| Functional testing | Review required; custom quoted | Supply the fixtures and written test procedures. CircuitHub does not design or manufacture test fixtures. See Testing services. |
| Labels, serialisation, and packaging | Review required | Human-readable labels, serial numbers, 1D or 2D barcodes, individual ESD-safe packaging, and custom packaging are available. Provide the content, format, placement, data, and packaging requirements. See Labels, stickers, serial numbers, and barcodes. |
First articles
You can request a first article, or CircuitHub may require one to validate a build. The remainder of the run pauses until the first article is approved, so include this approval step in your schedule. See First articles for testing before a full run.
What needs manual review?
Request review before ordering if the project includes:
- unusual board or panel dimensions;
- tall, heavy, fragile, or odd-form parts;
- unusual component packaging or presentation;
- special tooling or mechanical operations;
- extensive finishing, hand placement, or through-hole work;
- custom testing, programming, coating, labels, or packaging; or
- another process not listed here.
Manual review lets CircuitHub confirm the supported assembly route, required inputs, price, and timing for work outside automatic quoting coverage.
What should I send for review?
Send the requirement before ordering through the project or order issue system. Include the files and instructions needed to assess and perform the work:
- drawings and clear assembly instructions for unusual components, tooling, mechanics, or finishing;
- board-revision details for press-fit tooling;
- keep-out information and material preferences for conformal coating;
- firmware files for pre-programming;
- customer-supplied fixtures and written procedures for functional testing; and
- label content, format, placement, serialisation data, and packaging requirements where applicable.
Do not put assembly requirements only in the Board tab's custom bare-board fabrication requirements. See Specifying custom assembly instructions. If you are unsure whether a service is supported, contact CircuitHub before ordering.
Services not currently offered
CircuitHub does not currently offer:
- complete enclosure or box-build assembly;
- open-lid cavity assembly; or
- test-fixture design or manufacture.
Rework and repair
Warranty and RMA work is handled separately from customer-requested paid rework. Review the RMA process and warranty before returning an assembly.