JLCPCB SMT Assembly Service and Ordering

Owned by Kevin Li
Last updated: 2024-11-22 by Meghan Dang
4 min read

Brief

Document covers ordering from JLCPCB information and procedures.

JLCPCB SMT Assembly Service

To start, please view and thoroughly read the sources listed below. You do not want to make a trivial mistake and waste money when ordering your PCB. This document only provides attention to the most notable considerations when ordering from JLCPCB and using their SMT Assembly Service. Essentially, you want to pay attention to every possible detail and parameter involved. Do not hesitate to ask questions!

Make sure to import the JLCPCB design rules from the link below ↓

JLCPCB rule

Run a DRC and correct any errors. Also make sure that your board has a board outline on the Keepout Layer.

https://jlcpcb.com/help/article/how-to-export-pcb-to-gerber-files-in-altium24

JLCPCB SMT Assembly Service

Component Selection

JLCPCB’s SMT Assembly service can only solder SMT components onto your PCB which are available in their SMT Parts Library. It does not matter whether a component is available on Digi-Key, Mouser, or LCSC, the component must be available in JLCPCB’s SMT Parts Library.

JLCPCB’s SMT Parts Library

In your components library on Altium Designer, for every component you select that needs to be soldered on via JLCPCB’s SMT Assembly service, you need to add a parameter called “LCSC Part #” and fill in the component’s respective value. This parameter must be included in the BOM you generate for ordering.

Example BOM

Fees

JLCPCB’s SMT Assembly service can be quite pricey. The layout of the PCB assembly price is written below:

  • Setup fee: $7.00

  • Stencil: $1.50

  • SMT Assembly: $0.0015 per joint

  • Hand-soldering labor fee: $3.5

  • Manual Assembly: $0.02 per joint

  • Components cost: Based on the components chosen for assembly

JLCPCB classifies components into two categories. The types of components and their descriptions are listed below.

  • Basic Components: Most commonly used parts that are already loaded on P&P machines and keep on the same feeder so that they don’t have to be switched in and out (ex. chip resistors). There is no labor fee for these types of components.

  • Extended Components: Components which require the need to change the feeders of P&P machines. There is a $3.00 per unique extended component labor fee.

When ordering from JLCPCB’s SMT Assembly service, you will notice that the costs of extended components will rise substantially. This is something to take into account when designing your PCB with the intention of having its SMT components soldered on by JLCPCB.

Other Notable Considerations

Provided below are a few other considerations with JLCPCB’s SMT Assembly service. More will be added on as this is done more frequently.

  • JLCPCB’s SMT Assembly service only accepts single sided placement. Make sure you select the side that has more or all of the SMD parts

Ordering

There are three main files which are needed for ordering from JLCPCB. These are:

  • Gerber Files

  • NC Drill File

  • BOM File

  • CPL/Pick and Place File

Gerber Files

See the source at the top of the page for exporting Gerber files from Altium. JLCPCB has specific settings they want you to use for generating them. The types of Gerber files are shown in the table below.

The only Gerber files which are needed are the ones listed below. The rest can be deleted.

  • GBL

  • GBS

  • GTL

  • GTO

  • GTS

  • GTP

  • GKO

NC Drill File

See the source at the top of the page for exporting an NC Drill file from Altium. JLCPCB has specific settings they want you to use for generating it.

BOM File

The Example BOM shown above can be used as a reference for generating a usable BOM file. Also see the sample BOM provided from JLCPCB’s PCB Prototype

CPL/Pick and Place

See the source at the top of the page for exporting a CPL/Pick and Place file.

 

JLC Settings Example - Zeropilot 3.0 Primary

^verify the order and gerber files in the Altium Outjob file

*When ordering the stencil, please adjust the size

  • the default size is really large, none of our boards will be that big

  • adjust the size based on the size of your board

    • you’ll want it a few centimeters larger than your actual board

  • select “Yes” for customized size and enter the desired dimensions