Custom hardware development projects

We take on electronic hardware development projects.

XXboard helps clients develop electronic products from schematic design and PCB layout to firmware, structure design, SMD prototypes, and PCBA production.

Custom Services

Select a service to view the charging method.

Schematic DesignComplete circuit design and design-file delivery.PCB DesignPCB placement, layout, DRC, and manufacturing output files.Prototype SMD AssemblyPrototype assembly, soldering, flashing, testing, and debugging.Small-batch PCBATrial production for early delivery and production validation.Mass PCBA ProductionStable production with fixtures, QC, packaging, and logistics.

Pricing Table

PCB design and PCBA production pricing methods.

We quote custom projects by design scope, engineering time, PCB complexity, BOM cost, SMT assembly requirements, testing workload, and production quantity. The following table explains how each stage is usually charged.

Project Evaluation

USD XX–XX / hour

Charged according to project difficulty, technical risk, document completeness, and communication workload.

Schematic + PCB Package

15% + 15% + 30% + 40%

15% at schematic start, 15% after schematic completion, 30% after PCB placement, and 40% after layout completion before final source-file delivery.

PCB Layout Only

50% + 50%

50% after component placement is confirmed, and 50% after layout completion before delivering all PCB source files and manufacturing files.

Prototype SMD Assembly

Quoted per project

For 1–20 pcs engineering samples. Cost depends on PCB, BOM, SMT points, hand soldering, firmware flashing, testing, debugging, and shipping.

Small-batch PCBA

Quoted by batch

For 20–500 pcs trial production. Cost includes NRE preparation, PCB, components, SMT assembly, manual assembly, testing, packaging, loss allowance, and logistics.

Mass PCBA Production

Quoted after review

For 500+ pcs production. Cost is confirmed after design review, BOM review, test method, fixture needs, packaging, schedule, and supply-chain plan.

Exact prices are confirmed after reviewing the project requirements, schematic status, PCB constraints, BOM, Gerber files, CPL / Pick-and-Place files, testing requirements, delivery quantity, and production schedule.

Charging Methods

Detailed charging rules for evaluation, design, prototypes, and production.

01

Project Evaluation Pricing

Project evaluation is charged by engineering time. The rate is usually USD XX–XX per hour depending on project difficulty, product category, documentation quality, technical uncertainty, communication workload, and whether early architecture suggestions are required.

  • Review product requirements, target functions, interfaces, power, communication, mechanical constraints, and application environment.
  • Check whether the project requires schematic design, PCB layout, firmware, structure design, prototype assembly, debugging, test fixtures, or PCBA production.
  • Evaluate major technical risks such as power design, signal integrity, RF / wireless modules, high-current paths, thermal issues, enclosure space, and component availability.
  • Provide a preliminary development scope, estimated schedule, required input files, deliverables, and quotation direction.
02

Schematic + PCB Design Package

For complete schematic and PCB design projects, the payment is divided into four stages so both sides can confirm progress clearly before moving forward.

  • 15% payment when schematic design starts.
  • 15% payment after schematic design is completed and confirmed.
  • 30% payment after PCB component placement is completed and confirmed.
  • 40% payment after PCB layout is completed. After the final payment, XXboard packages and delivers all agreed files, including schematic source files, PCB source files, Gerber files, BOM, CPL / Pick-and-Place files, and other manufacturing documents.
03

PCB Layout Only Pricing

If the customer already has a confirmed schematic and only needs PCB layout, the project can be charged in two stages.

  • 50% payment after component placement is completed and confirmed.
  • 50% payment after routing, DRC checking, and layout completion.
  • After the final payment, XXboard delivers PCB source files, Gerber files, drill files, BOM coordination notes if needed, CPL / Pick-and-Place files, and manufacturing output files.
  • Mechanical constraints, connector positions, keep-out areas, mounting holes, board outline, impedance requirements, and high-current / high-speed rules should be confirmed before layout starts.
04

Prototype SMD Assembly & Production Pricing

Prototype SMD assembly is used for engineering validation, circuit verification, firmware debugging, structure fitting, and early product testing. It is usually suitable for 1–20 pcs.

  • Prototype cost = engineering setup fee + PCB fabrication cost + component sourcing cost + SMT assembly cost + manual soldering cost + firmware flashing cost + testing and debugging cost + packaging and shipping cost.
  • The quote may include BOM review, Gerber / BOM / CPL checking, PCB fabrication, component sourcing, SMT assembly, manual soldering, firmware flashing, basic power-on test, basic functional test, debugging support, packaging, and international shipping arrangement.
  • Manual soldering is charged separately for through-hole parts, connectors, cables, modules, switches, headers, large capacitors, shields, heatsinks, and mechanical parts.
  • Prototype unit cost is usually higher than mass production because engineering preparation, machine setup, stencil, material preparation, and debugging time are shared by only a small number of boards.
05

Small-batch PCBA Production Pricing

Small-batch PCBA production is suitable for trial production, customer samples, pilot runs, crowdfunding batches, and early market delivery. Typical quantities are around 20–500 pcs.

  • Small-batch cost = NRE engineering fee + PCB manufacturing cost + component cost + SMT assembly cost + manual assembly cost + firmware flashing cost + functional testing cost + packaging cost + material loss allowance + shipping cost.
  • NRE covers production preparation, file checking, BOM review, process confirmation, production communication, and basic production risk review.
  • SMT and manual assembly are calculated according to solder joints, component quantity, single-sided or double-sided assembly, fine-pitch ICs, QFN, BGA, connectors, wires, displays, modules, screws, shields, and other special process requirements.
  • Testing, flashing, serial numbers, MAC address writing, calibration, anti-static packaging, labels, accessories, product boxes, cartons, and logistics are quoted according to the actual production plan.
06

Mass PCBA Production Pricing

Mass PCBA production is suitable for stable products that have already passed prototype verification and small-batch trial production. Typical quantities start from 500 pcs and can scale to thousands or more.

  • Mass production cost = production introduction fee + PCB cost + component cost + SMT assembly cost + manual assembly cost + test fixture cost + functional testing cost + quality control cost + packaging cost + logistics cost + long-term supply management cost.
  • The production introduction fee covers engineering review, design-for-manufacturing review, process planning, supplier coordination, production documentation, and mass-production preparation.
  • Fixture cost is charged separately if the product requires pogo-pin fixtures, programming fixtures, calibration fixtures, functional test fixtures, or automated test setups.
  • Mass production pricing is confirmed after product design, BOM, test method, production quantity, packaging method, delivery schedule, component supply, and quality requirements are finalized.

Development Flow

From idea evaluation to PCBA production.

A typical project is divided into clear stages, so requirements, design files, prototype work, and production preparation are easier to confirm.
01

Project evaluation

Confirm product requirements, feature scope, interfaces, cost, schedule, technical risks, and delivery method.

02

Schematic design

Design and confirm power, controller, interfaces, sensors, communication, protection, and related circuit blocks.

03

PCB design

Prepare footprints, placement, routing, mechanical coordination, DRC checks, and manufacturing files.

04

Prototype SMD assembly & debugging

Arrange SMD assembly, prototype soldering, hardware power-up, basic function verification, and issue fixes.

05

Small-batch PCBA trial production

Use small-batch builds to verify production stability, component alternatives, test flow, and assembly issues.

06

Mass PCBA production

Support mass production with documentation, production communication, test suggestions, and issue tracking.