Macrofab Engineering Podcast

MEP EP#290: Avoiding Bean CountersBGA vs. QFP - PCBA cost comparison Inspired by Tim Jager on the slack channel 48 pin QFP vs 56 pin BGA Escaping the package Layer count Increase in PCB tolerances Blind and buried vias required? Inspection costs Leaded packages like QFPs can easily be optically inspected BGAs typically require X-ray Tooling BGAs typically require small paste apertures and might require more expensive coatings and stencils Depending on lead spacing you may not need a stencil at your CM for a QFP   Using the MF platform to predict pricing Napkin math your PCB assembly cost the “easy” way Come up with a rough Bill of Materials Draw up a quick board outline that might be the size you require Enclosures dictate PCB sizes more often then not Upload to the platform Can change the bill of materials on the fly to make pricing considerations at prototype to high volume Ways to control pricing on your PCB Assembly