Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

For the Eurocircuits “New – Assembly service” we require the customer to provide both BOM & CPL files, these are necessary in order to provide accurate pricing and also for the actual assembly off the PCB.

For this we identify BOM & CPL files as either:

• Uploaded files  – files which are uploaded to and saved in a specific Basket number on Eurocircuits web server.
• Imported files –  files which are actually imported in to specific Basket number on the on Eurocircuits web server ready to be used for the assembly of the PCB.

Please see our How to Upload or Import BOM & CPL files -User Guide.

If PCB is manufactured by Eurocircuits and data has been processed through our PCB Visualizer and PCBA Visualizer, there is the option to transfer the prepared PCBA data to one of Eurocircuits EMS-partners.

Please contact us for more information on our EMS-partners.

We are continuously developing our partner network to ensure we offer the right services to our customers.

Please contact us for latest EMS Partner information.

Working with EMS Partners allows Eurocircuits to offer its customers an enhanced range of Electronic Assembly Services with greater flexibility.

All our quality certificates or our production units can be found on the download page.

• RoHS
• REACH
• Conflict minerals Statement
• Conflict Minerals CMRT v5.10

All manuals, safety instructions and software for our eC-equipment can be found on the download page.

The Annular Ring value is defined as the amount of Copper from the edge of the Drilled Hole to the Copper Pad associated with the hole.

OAR – Outer Layer Annular Ring – for more information click here.

IAR – Inner Layer Annular Ring – for more information click here.

Also see our PCB Design Guidelines section on Holes.

Eurocircuits offers the following Led-free finishes:]

• HA
• ENIG
• Chemical Silver

For more information please see our Which Surface Finish fits your Design page.

• Current Eurocircuits design guidelines
• Download our current PCB classification table
• Download DRU files (Design rules) for CadSoft EAGLE users
• Download the eC-ULP for EAGLE – start the calculation of your PCB price from within EAGLE
• Download templates (EC design rules) for Altium designer users
• What do PCB fabricators do with your data before they make your PCB”s White paper
• The PCB production process explained with short movies

Copper foil is the starting thickness of the copper of any given layer of the PCB, choosing the correct thickness depends on the design and may be different for Inner and Outer layers on the PCB.

Please see our PCB Design Guidelines Classification section for more information.

Wim De Greve, head of development for Eurocircuits explains how the PCB Configurator works, and what functionality is available for electronics engineers to configure and visualise their boards before placing an order.

This is a first episode in a series about our smart tools, as presented during a meeting in the Hungarian production plant in January 2018:

• PCB Configurator
• PCB Visualizer
• Classification editor
• Buildup editor
• Outline/Milling editor

Wim De Greve, head of development for Eurocircuits explains how the PCB Configurator works, and what functionality is available for electronics engineers to configure and visualise their boards before placing an order.

This is a first episode in a series about our smart tools, as presented during a meeting in the Hungarian production plant in January 2018:

• PCB Checker
• Plating index
• Drill/Slot editor
• Panel editor

Wim De Greve, head of development for Eurocircuits explains how the PCB Configurator works, and what functionality is available for electronics engineers to configure and visualise their boards before placing an order.

This is a first episode in a series about our smart tools, as presented during a meeting in the Hungarian production plant in January 2018:

• Marking editor
• PCB PIXture editor
• Solder Paste editor

If you have received the message “Pooling conditions no longer met” then there are parameters of your design that make it impossible to pool with Other PCB’s, this may result is an increase in price.

Please see our Pooling Conditions No Longer Met and The History of Order Pooling for more information.

Via Holes have a tolerance of +0.10/-0.30mm and maybe reduced to accommodate for a larger annular ring.

For further information please see our pages on:

• Via Holes.
• Drilled Holes in the PCB – all you need to know to avoid surprises.

EMS stands for Electronic Manufacturing Services and is a term used for companies that design, manufacture, test, distribute and provide return/repair services for electronic Industry.

We have developed and expanded our EMS Partner Network to provide addition services to our customers.

The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) was set up around 120 years ago in the USA as an independent facility to test the safety of new products and new technologies. Today it has a network of sites around the world focused on product safety. It test products, certifies manufacturers, and produces and updates safety standards across a broad range of industrial and commercial sectors. More.

For PCB’s the main standards are UL 796, the specific PCB standard, and UL 94 for flammability testing of all plastics. These specify a number of performance tests to measure the long-term reliability and fire safety of the PCB. If a board is released to these standards, it is marked with the UL logo, the fabricator’s logo and the board type.

For more information please see What About UL? on the Eurocircuits website.

To manage how, where and to whom your invoices are sent please first Sign In to your account.

Once you have signed in expand the “Manage profile” menu on the left, then select “Manage profile”, this opens in the “Customer” tab.

Receive Paper Invoices by Post

In the “Customer’ tab make sure the “Deliver invoices by post”checkbox is checked.

Remember to “Save” any changes.

Send Invoices to a different Person/Address

Select the “Addresses” tab and then select the “Invoice Address” from the list below. This will open a form where you are able to update the address and contact details to where the invoices should be delivered.

All fields marked with a * must be completed.

Remember to “Save” any changes.

Remember to “Save” any changes.

To add a new user first Sign In to your account.

Once you have signed in expand the “Manage profile” menu on the left, then select “Manage profile” from the menus.

Next select the “Users” tab, here you will see a list of current users, just above these select the “Add new contact” tab, once selected a new contact form will open below, complete all fields marked with * in both the “Contact information” and “User information” tabs.

Remember to save your changes by click on the “Save” button at the below the form.

To find your Pending invoices first Sign In to you Eurocircuits account.

Then select “FINANCE” from the left hand side menu, then select “Pending invoices”, this will show a list of open invoices to be paid.

You are able to pay an invoice either by using the Online secure payment service or the Offline option.

To use the Online option first check the box of the invoice to pay and then select the “Online payment” button at the top of the window. This will open a pop-up window informing you that you will be redirected you to our online secure payment gateway, click OK.

When the gateway opens select your preferred method of payment and follow the instructions.

To use the Offline option select the “Offline payment” button at the top of the window.

A pop-up window will open with the instructions of how to pay the invoice offline.

You can find Eurocircuits bank account details at the bottom of your invoice.

This section is still under construction.
If you have a question, please contact our CHAT support team.

To change your mail preferences first Sign In to your account.

Once you have signed in expand the “Manage profile” menu on the left, then select “News & Information”, from there you are able to manage your preferences.

Remember to “Save” your changes.

To manage your customer profile  first Sign In to your account.

Once you have signed in expand the “Manage profile” menu on the left, then select “Manage profile”, from there you are able to manage your customer profile.

Remember to “Save” any changes.

This is nicely explained on this page.

You can register a Private account or a Business account.

If you or your company are VAT-registered include your VAT number. In many European countries we can then invoice you VAT-free (more).

There is normally no need to pre-pay for your order.  We will send you an invoice by email when we have delivered the boards.

On our web site home page, in the right upper corner you will find 2 option to calculate a price.

1. FAST price will calculate you a rough idea of price for any quantity of boards, based on standard FR-4 base material and standard PCB technology.
2. PCB Calculator will take you to the service selection page where you can find all possible services and specific calculators. Help in making your choice here.

You can make all calculations you want and take benefit of our smart calculator who will validate all chosen technical options for you. So no need to study all our capabilities first, our smart calculator will prevent you from making mistakes.

It is only from the moment that you wish to save your calculation in the shopping basket that you will be asked to login or give your details for registering.

From that moment on you can also profit from our PCB Visualizer and have the software analyse your data (DRC/DFM). Just attach your PCB data to the calculation after login and before you save it to the basket.

Please be in touch with our sales department:

• Chat – on every page of our transaction web site you can activate the online chat button. You will see us online during office hours. You may also use this communication to leave your message while we are offline. It is efficient as we can see where in the web site you are and who you are, so we can help you faster.
• E-mail – euro@eurocircuits.com
• Tf – +32 15 28 16 30 for the Belgian main office. For local offices look here.

You can pay online or by bank transfer.  

To pay online, log in and go to the Financial tab, select the invoice(s) you want to pay and click online payment.

Payment by bank transfer is different in different countries.  More.

Note: do you need to pay VAT?  See here.

YES.

To use any of our services, enter the board details into the online Price calculator and calculate the price.  Attach the data and put the order in your basket (you can use PCB Visualizer to check all details and view your PCB already).

Proceed to checkout and you will be asked for your (company) name, address etc.  You can register a Private account or a Business account.  If you or your company are VAT-registered include your VAT number.  In many European countries we can then invoice you VAT-free (more).

Place your order.  We will check the details provided while our engineers are checking your data.

If everything is OK, we will open a QuickStart credit account for you and proceed with your order without delay.

You don’t have to pay up-front.  We will invoice you when the goods are shipped.

Customer feedback:

I’m using Internet explore 8.0.6001… on a Windows XP 32bit PC. I get the message that I need a more recent version of my browser.

PCB Visualizer support reaction:

PCB Visualizer is using HTML5 code. This code is not supported by older versions of Internet Explorer. In Windows XP you cannot upgrade to version 9 or 10 of Windows Explorer, so the only solution is to try another browser.

We suggest Firefox or Google Chrome, these are the most common browsers used by our customers  (based on our google analytics data), and we most actively debug PCB Visualizer on these two browsers.

The fastest delivery term depends on the chosen service and even more on the chosen technology.

The fastest we offer is 1 working day in our NAKED proto service covering 1 and 2 layer boards without solder mask or legend and in quantities of 1, 2 or 5 PCBs.

What do you need?

First you should decide for the base material to be used for your PCBs. FR-4 is the standard base material but we can also offer other material for specific application which are plced under special base materials.

FR-4 (standard base material) pooling services

• NAKED proto – basic prototype pooling service. Quick & dirty.
  1, 2 or 5 boards 1 or 2 layers without solder mask in 1 to 7 working days
• PCB proto – dedicated prototype pooling service.
  1, 2 or 5 boards 2 or 4 layers standard PCB technology in 2 to 7 working days
• STANDARD pool – widest range of pooled and non pooled options up to 16 layers
  Other TG values, finer layout, more layers, higher quantity, etc…
• BINDI pool – Eurocircuits’ Asian alternative with European assured quality.
  2 and 4 layer boards with standard technology in medium quantities at Indian cost but inhouse produced in India.

Special base material pooling services

• RF pool – Isola I-TERA and Rogers 4000 series materials
  For RF specialists that need their specific base material but at lower pooling costing
• SEMI-FLEX pool –  flex-to-install flex-rigid pooling service.
  Something brand new to replace rigid -flex boards in flex-to-install applications and at pooling prices for our 4 layer offer.
• IMS pool – Insulated Metal Substrate PCBs
  Need aluminium-backed boards for cooling purposes. Prototypes and small series at acceptable prices due to pooling conditions.

You cannot find what you are looking for here?

Please be in touch with our sales department:

• Chat – on every page of our transaction web site you can activate the online chat button. You will see us online during office hours. You may also use this communication to leave your message while we are offline. It is efficient as we can see where in the web site you are and who you are, so we can help you faster.
• E-mail – euro@eurocircuits.com
• Tf – +32 15 28 16 30 for the Belgian main office. For local offices look here.

Log in to your customer account on our web site (or create an account), then upload your data into the PCB Visualizer and check the data using the PCB Configurator and PCB Checker.

Please follow the link below for our guidelines on how to create and order a customer panel.

Guidelines for customers that design and upload their own panel data

Once your data is uploaded to the Eurocircuits PCB Visualizer you able to select the Stencil section of the PCB Configurator and choose Top, Bottom or Both Stencils.

You are also able to edit your Solder Paste data using our New Solder Paste Editor in the PCB Checker tab.

The build-up of the PCB is usually predefined when you upload you data files to the Eurocircuits PCB Visualizer. If this is not possible or you need an alternative build you can use our Buildup Editor in the PCB Configurator. Here you can select from our predefined builds or if necessary request a special build.

Please follow the link below for more information.

Indicating slots, milling, contour and rout-outs in your PCB design.

These may increase the cost of the PCB

You can add all types of markings including UL using the Eurocircuits Marking Editor, follow the link below for instructions.

Eurocircuits Tips & Tricks – Marking Editor

These may increase the cost of the PCB.

Changing the delivery address for a running order is possible until the status of the order says “Production Finish”.  How to do this?

• Go to “’running orders”
• Select the order and click the black button “modify order”.
• Now select a different delivery address from the drop down list.

If you want to ship to an address, which is not yet appearing in this dropdown list, please contact the power user of the account. He can create a new delivery address in this dropdown list. (He can do this via “manage profile”).

This depends of the status of your order.

If the preparation of the data is already finished or if the order is in production, no changes are possible anymore.

The fastest way to make the modification is through your online account:

• Go to your “running order” list.
• Select the order by checking the box on the left.
• Click the black button “modify order” on top of the page (Important tip: don’t do this by clicking on the PCB Visualizer, no changes can be saved via PCB Visualizer for a running order !).
• The system will tell you if the order can still be modified.
• If possible (after clicking on “modify specifications”) this order will automatically be “cancelled” and will be placed back in your shopping basket. (Important: the order is not processing anymore)
• In your shopping basket, you can then modify the order details, delivery term and/or upload a new dataset using PCB Visualizer if you like
• Check out the item again to re-order and verify if it re-appears now in your list of “running orders”. If it does, it will have a new order number and you will be sure it is back in process.

Pre-production approval – a customer request for reassurance

Not sure about your artwork or how our engineers will interpret it? Sometimes your data files may contain features that our automated PCB Visualizer process cannot recognise. Or you may be worried that your first layout is not quite right. Whatever your concern, we can give you the reassurance you need. Set up an approval step for the production-ready data for your board just before it goes into physical manufacture. As soon as our engineers have completed their checks, we will send you an e-mail to advise you that the production files are ready and waiting for your approval.

To set up a pre-production approval: go to “running orders” in your account and select a “request pre-production approval”. You can do this for every order in your running order list that has not yet reached the status “panelise” (from status panelise on it’s too late).

The order will now also be listed under “pre-production approval overview” in the main menu (left column) in your account. The item is still in analysis, so not yet ready to verify the data.

After preparation, the production-ready job goes into the customer’s pre-production approval (PPA) folder – “items ready for your approval”. You will receive our e-mail and need only 1 click to send the job on for manufacture. How?

• Go to “preproduction approval” – the status of your order is “waiting for your approval”.
• Click the orange button “review for approval
  • Have a closer look in PCB Visualizer: our production data of your PCB or customer panel is displayed on your screen (especially check technical options like internal milling, customer panel layout and other specifics).
• Then you decide to “approve” or “reject”:
  • If approved, the order will be moved directly to our production panel section, no changes are possible after that.
  • If rejected, do the following of two options
    • write clearly why in the comments section and our people will receive your message and will check how to proceed next
    • or upload a new data set after which your order is processed further through the exception flow

  

There are two cases that might require new PCB data to be uploaded or sent:

• The order is in “exception overview”. You can upload a new dataset via “view details” and using the button “modify”.
  The instructions are also given in the exception document which you can download to review all data issues.
• The order is in “preproduction approval”.  You can only solve the data issues by delivering a new PCB dataset thus you must reject the Eurocircuits proposed solution. Proceed as follows:
  • Reject the approval and explain in the message that you will send new data and why. Then send us the data right away and we will upload them for you.
  • Need more time to redesign? Then we will move the order to “exception overview”. From there you can change many parameters and upload a new PCB dataset when ready. The delivery term will be recalculated as soon as the modification and data upload is done.

See also: what happens if there is a problem with my data?

Delivery terms is actually the number of days after we start production your PCB’s they are Shipped from our factory.

The Delivery term starts the day after receiving the order, this is seen as starting at 00H00, thus if you order at 23H15 the Delivery term will start at 00H00 of the following day.

Working days are Monday to Friday inclusive and excluding Public holidays.

Examples:

• If a 3 day Delivery term is selected and the order placed at 22H00 on Monday, then the PCB’s will be Shipped on Thursday.
• IF a 3 day Delivery term is selected and the order placed on a Wednesday then the PCB’s will be Shipped on the Monday.

The above applies providing the order was not stopped due to documentation, data or other issues.

You can add or change the purchase reference for an item in your shopping basket or for a running order until the status of the order says “Production Finish”.  How to do this?

• Go to your shopping basket or to the list of your running orders
• Select the item or order and click the black button “edit administrative details”.
• Now you can add your references.

It is important that these fields are activated to be shown in your account (sometimes they are hidden). If only the PCB name appears, please contact the power user of the account. He can activate these fields. (He can do this via “manage profile”).

To place a repeat order first Sign In to your account.

The select “CALCULATE AND ORDER” from the left-hand side menu, then select “Order repeats/view history” from the menu. This will display a history of your orders.

To “Order a repeat” simply check the box on the left of the row for the specific PCB,  then select the “Order a repeat” button at the top of the window.

This will open the PCB Visualizer where you can review the details and prices etc.

Once everything is correct select the “Add to basket”button and continue instructed.

Delivery is usually via a courier service, though other methods may be used as applicable.

The cost of delivery is based on the estimated weight of the finished order and is calculated at moment the order is placed.

For further information please see section 5 “Delivery” in our Terms of Sales.

You can order Stencils even after you have checked out and placed the order for the PCB, first Sign In to you account.

Then select “CALCULATE AND ORDER” from the menu list on the left-hand side and then select “Order stencils”. Next select “Price calculator” in the “Stencil order for an existing/ordered PCB” option.

 

We have always run 100% pre-production checks on customer data. That way we can be sure you will get the board you want on the day you want it.

Our online check software, PCB Visualizer, has significantly reduced the number of exceptions but there may be remaining data or order issues.

Our engineers use their know-how to make the most logical correction to the order or the data where possible. This results into two possibilities:

1. Logical corrections by our people are possible and we only need customer approval:
   The production-ready job goes into the customer’s pre-production approval (PPA) folder. He gets our email and needs only 1 click to send the job on for manufacture. How?
   • Go to “preproduction approval” – the status of your order is “waiting for your approval”.
   • Click the orange button “review for approval” – the document with the repair details/proposal/corrections will open automatically on your screen (if not, click on the grey button “repair details” to open it).
     • Check our proposed “repairs” in the document.
     • Have a closer look in PCB Visualizer: our production data of your PCB or customer panel (including the repairs) is displayed on your screen (especially check technical options like internal milling, customer panel layout and other specifics).
   • Then you decide to “approve” or “reject”:
     • If approved, the order will be moved directly to our production panel section, no changes are possible after that.
     • If rejected, do the following of two options:
       • write clearly why in the comments section and our people will receive your message and will check how to proceed next
       • or upload a new data set after which your order is processed further through the exception flow

     

Nearly 90% of jobs are authorised right away and go straight into production. No delays – and the customer doesn’t have to spend time making the corrections – a win-win result: the right board on the right day with minimum disruption to the designer.

See our video.

2. A logical correction was not possible and we need the customers input:
   • If the detected PCB data issue is not “repairable” by Eurocircuits and no solution can be proposed, then we will raise an “exception” as we have always done.
   • Go online to “exception overview” – check the problem, correct your data and upload your new complete PCB dataset.
   • The delivery date will be recalculated at the moment when you upload your dataset. Do this as fast as possible to avoid any delay in delivery.

The cut-off time for placing an order is 24H00, meaning that the delivery term starts at 00H00 of the next day.

To track the status of your order first Sign In to your Eurocircuits account.

Select “CALCULATE AND ORDER” from the left-hand side menu and then select  “View running orders”.

This will open a window with a list of all your running order and provide information such as Order number, PCB name, order Status and expected Shipment date etc.

To check status of your order first check the box next to the order number, then select either the “History” button at the top of the window or click directly on the status in the order row.

This will open a pop-up window where you able to see the status or your order, select the “Back”button to return to the “Running orders”overview.

For a definition of the text in the “Status” column select the “Status details” button at the top of the window.

A pop-up window will open listing all the definitions will be displayed.

Yes, a final order confirmation is sent after the preparation of your PCB data is done and the data are ready for production.

In case you have asked for a pre-production approval, we will send the order confirmation after your final approval to move ahead in to production.

Eurocircuits are able to manufacture Blind and Buried Via’s, however, we suggest you read our technical articles and Blog before adding these to your PCB layout, follow the links below:

Blog – Blind and buried Via’s

Technical Article – Blind and buried Via

Eurocircuits offers SEMI-Flex Production, please follow the link below for more information:

SEMI-Flex pool

For every PCB/Panel manufactured by Eurocircuits generate a PCB Passport, this details the materials, Production steps and Test Results etc.

More information can be found by following the link below:

How do we assure the quality of your PCB?

Eurocircuits does offer these services, we recommend that you read our Blog on this topic by following the link below:

Copper and the board edge

Please follow the link below to see the Quality Labels held for each facility.

Quality Labels

Please follow the link below for our non-BINDI Pool production:

Technical Specifications of all Eurocircuits Prototype & small volume

Please follow the link below for our BINDI Pool production

Technical Specifications of BINDI pool

Our PCB Services and capabilities are available by following the link below:

PCB Services

You are able to find the specifications for the materials we use by following the link below:

Material Specifications