PCB Prototypes
 

At Silver Circuits, we allow panelizing for all our service. In the PCB Industry, term panelizing refers to process of arranging multiple copies of a PCB design within an allocated panel area for production run.  The number PCB can be made in a panel will  determine the unit cost of the PCB. Careful planning will thus result in high yield and low wastage .

We also allow for multiple design merging with our Full Panel Service. By running one setup for multiple designs, designers can significantly save on setup cost. 

 Panelizing & Merging Policy

Standard Service - Only single design panelization is supported for Standard Service . When ordering using Standard Service, please only use 1 design per order.

Full Panel Service - Single and multiple design panelization is supported for Full Panel Service. Designer has the flexibility to combine multiple designs under one setup.

 

Design Merging CAM processing fees

Additional CAM processing fees is applicable for multiple design merge. The cost below is for each additional design processed.

  • Single & Double Sided Designs -  USD 15.00 per design
  • Four & Six Layer Designs - USD 20.00 oer design

Depanelizing Fees

For all panelized boards, we will charge USD 0.50 per board for depanelization of rectangular boards. This applies to all rectangular shaped boards. For custom shaped boards, in some rare cases where the PCB shape introduces some complexity to the routing operations, we may charge more for depanelization,

Design Considerations - board-to-board spacing

When designing the PCB for panelizing, please take into account that 0.060" (1.5mm) of spacing is required in between each board for depanelization purposes. This allows for us to cut apart the PCB without cutting into it.

It is a common mistake that the designer to assume that you can calculate the panel yield by dividing the panel size by board size. If the design does not take into account the 0.060" required in between each board, we may have difficulty panelizing for the desired quantity.  

For example, given a 8"x5.5" panel and the design intend to panelize it for a 2x4 array (or 8 pcs per panel).  Calculating that a 2.25"x2"  PCB will fit when arranged in 2x4 array is incorrect. The correct size for the PCB for a 2x4 array should be 2.19"x1.94" after taking into account  the 0.060" of board-to-board spacing required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

FAQ on Panelization & Merging

When requesting for panelizing, do I need to supply a panelized Gerber/CAD files ?

No, you do not need to send in a panelized file. Just send in the invidiual design files and our CAM people will panelize it . Single design panelizing is free of charge. A small fee will apply for multiple design merging.

Can I submit a panelized design ?

Please avoid submitting a panelized design . We may have difficulty arranging for depanelization on a customer's panelized design.

I want to keep the panelized boards intact in the panel form for assembly purposes. Can you depanelize in a way that allows me to snap off the board from the panel after assembly?

Yes, this method is called tab-routing. Please visit our CNC routing page for more information about tab-routing.