The short answer
What this setting controls
Top side is the simplest path. Both sides can reduce board area but adds handling and process steps. Bottom-side placement is useful when the design intentionally uses that face.
Check component height, thermal profile, polarity, solder-paste strategy, reflow order, shadowing and the assembly drawing for each side.
Options in the order form
How the available choices differ
| Choice | Use it for | Engineering note |
|---|---|---|
| Top side | Single-sided placement | Simplest stencil and reflow path. |
| Bottom side | Intentional bottom-only placement | Confirm coordinates and rotations against the bottom-side view. |
| Both sides | Dense or mechanically constrained products | Requires side-aware placement data, process order and component retention review. |
Compatibility
What can change with this selection
- Economic assembly may restrict the side choice.
- Both-side assembly needs more complete placement evidence.
- Side selection must match the placement file, BOM no-fit status and stencil plan.
Practical recommendation
How to make the decision
- Use Top side unless the placement file clearly requires another face.
- Use Both sides only when the mechanical, thermal and process design supports it.
- Make sure the BOM and placement layer names agree with the selection.
Before release
Check these points before adding the quote to cart
- Confirm the selected value matches the released Gerber, drawing, stack-up, BOM or assembly plan.
- Review any fields that changed automatically after this selection.
- Check the board preview and server-calculated estimate before adding the quote to cart.
- Use Top side unless the placement file clearly requires another face.
- Use Both sides only when the mechanical, thermal and process design supports it.
- Make sure the BOM and placement layer names agree with the selection.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for ordering and design review
Can I assemble a board with no placement file?
You can start an enquiry, but a reliable automatic estimate needs a BOM and placement data.
When should I change Assembly side?
Change it when the released electrical, mechanical, thermal, assembly or quality plan gives a measurable reason. Otherwise keep the compatible default and review the resulting board preview and estimate.
Why is an option disabled?
The current material, geometry, layer count, quantity or another selected process makes that combination unavailable. Change the controlling selection or revise the design package rather than trying to bypass the disabled state.
Can I rely on the online choice as final manufacturing approval?
No. The interface screens known combinations and requests pricing, while final manufacturability remains subject to the released files and technical review.
What should I record outside the order form?
Put controlled requirements in the fabrication drawing, assembly drawing, stack-up, BOM or acceptance plan. Use Special instructions only for a concise pointer to that controlled requirement.
Will changing this update other selections?
It can. The order form re-evaluates compatibility and may replace a now-invalid dependent choice before requesting a fresh server-side estimate. Review every highlighted or automatically changed field.
What if the design requires an option that is not offered?
Do not approximate it with a different label. Recheck the controlling material and geometry, document the actual requirement, and request technical review before placing the order.
Useful engineering tools
Calculators and preparation guides
Further reading
Standards and technical references
Use the latest applicable revision and your organisation’s controlled requirements when a standard forms part of product acceptance.
- IPC J-STD-001J and IPC-A-610J overviewIPC — Assembly process control and post-assembly acceptance context.
- KiCad component placement filesKiCad — Reference, position, rotation and side data for pick-and-place.
- IPC document revision tableIPC — Current revisions for assembly, solder paste, stencil and acceptance standards.