Order constraints

The deal

We commit to the last day in the quoted range. We almost always ship by the first day. These are business days; weekends and holidays do not count. The timer starts the morning after the complete kit arrives at our facility. When capacity allows, we may ship a 1–3 day order on the same day the kit arrives.

We prefer to order your bill of materials (BOM). We include a small amount of attrition, meaning extra parts for assembly loss. Our custom feeders and small-batch process keep that overage low. You may consign hard-to-source parts or parts you already hold.

Defects are rare, but they can happen. We resolve them case by case according to the order scope and defect severity. Past resolutions include a partial or full refund for an affected board, return for rework, or credit toward a future order.

Order process

1. Send your quote packet: IPC-2581 XML, BOM and position CSV files when needed, Gerbers, and optional source files.
2. We send a quote. You approve it; we then send an invoice.
3. You pay the invoice and order the PCBs and stencil.
4. We activate the order and give an initial production date with a ±2-day window. We order the BOM.
5. We receive the complete kit: PCBs, stencil, and all parts. We narrow and confirm the production schedule.
6. We assemble and ship your order.

Please send your packet and any order questions to orders@eightamps.com.

Quote packet

• IPC-2581 XML: Include manufacturer part numbers (MPNs) and manufacturer names in the export when your ECAD BOM has them.
• BOM and position CSV: If the IPC file lacks MPN or manufacturer details, send a BOM CSV with those fields for each reference designator or group of designators, plus a position CSV. DigiKey part numbers help but are optional.
• X2 Gerbers: Send every layer, not only top and bottom. We use them to assess copper mass and tune reflow.
• ECAD source files: Optional, but useful for production preparation.

Build requirements

PCB design

• Typical maximum board size: 250 × 300 mm; ask us about larger boards. Maximum component height: 25 mm.
• Place at least three well-separated fiducials and include them in the position file. Add fiducials and M3 mounting holes (PTH or NPTH) to panel rails when applicable.
• Please give every footprint a meaningful reference designator on the silkscreen, such as R1 or U1, and please try to keep designators to one or two orientations.
• Some fabs can print a 2D barcode or serial number on the board. Please consider using this service as it helps identify specific boards when referring to issues. ⓘ More Info
• We assemble one or two-sided boards. Adding even one SMT part to the second side of a board can add 30% to the cost of assembly.
• Avoid through-hole (THT) parts where possible. They cost far more labor than SMT equivalents, and those costs don't move down nearly as much with scale.

Fabrication and stencil

• Choose ENIG finish rather than HASL, especially for 0402 and smaller parts or LQFP/QFN packages.
• NEVER, NEVER NEVER choose OSP (offered/promoted by JLCPCB)
• Choose Epoxy Filled & Capped via covering.
• Keep pure THT pads out of the paste layer. Include paste openings for through-hole pads of mixed THT/SMT parts, such as some USB connectors.
• Select a 0.1 mm framed stencil with electropolish and nanocoating when available. We can use an OSH Stencils stencil without nanocoating if the design has few very small 0402/QFN footprints. ⓘ More Info

Materials and components

We are exercising our material-handling tools and workflows and currently hand-place parts for many small, fast-turn builds.

We prefer to purchase parts for you, usually from DigiKey, then Mouser, Arrow, or the manufacturer when needed. We bill parts at cost plus shipping, with a small fee (usually 5%-10%) to cover tariffs that are not quoted over APIs. Check with us if you have hard-to-source parts or inventory you want to hold for future orders.

• Current assembly range: 0402 or larger, LQFN/LQFP or larger. We do not currently support BGA or WLCSP.
• Packaging preference: cut tape, then JEDEC tray, then tube, then bulk. DigiReel and MouseReel are not needed with our feeders. Choose a DigiKey Mini JEDEC Tray for small tray quantities when available. Tube and bulk SMT parts may have service fees in the future.
• Our feeders need at least 20 mm of tape: at least 5 units on 4 mm pitch tape (often 0603/0805), or 10 units on 2 mm pitch tape (often 0201/0402). We always include at least a few spare components for assembly loss.
• When consigning parts, mark each shipment of parts and PCBs with your Eight Amps sales order number or the consignment Purchase Order number. Each part must be labelled with the Manufacturer Part Number and at least one Reference Designator. If you order cut tape from DigiKey, ask their sales team to ship each part on one continuous strip rather than split strips. Split strips will be charged as if they are 2 separate SKUs.
• We can store extra parts for future orders under an agreed inventory and storage plan. We will return held inventory on request; you pay shipping at the service level you choose.

Consumables

We use lead-free SAC305 solder paste. The paste depends on how we apply it:

We cannot use leaded solder in our current facility. Ask us about other chemistries. We currently use Neoden IN6 reflow ovens.

Shipping

One outbound shipment is included per order: next-day air for 1–3 day orders; second-day air up to $100 for 3–5 day orders; and ground up to $50 for 5–10 day orders. For longer turns, remote destinations, unusually large, heavy or expensive boards, the quote may specify additional shipping fees.

Changelog

• 2026-09-23: Reorganized the order terms into this page; added turn-time, order-flow, attrition, consignment, and defect-resolution details. Archived version.
• 2026-05-19: Clarified packet instructions and shipping; changed stencil thickness to 0.1 mm; added Loctite/Harimatec GC-10 paste. Archived version.
• 2025-11-10: Clarified THT guidance and removed the date from the process heading.
• 2025-07-23: Archived version.