The short answer
What this setting controls
A few assembled units are useful for firmware bring-up and pilot testing. Keep extra bare boards for rework, destructive testing and later assembly if that matches your plan.
Plan component attrition, no-fit parts, feeder/setup economics, panel yield, test coverage and the required number of fully functional units.
Options in the order form
How the available choices differ
| Choice | Use it for | Engineering note |
|---|---|---|
| All fabricated boards | Every PCB is populated | Ensure component supply includes process attrition and spares. |
| Partial assembly quantity | Staged bring-up or pilot build | The remaining bare boards stay available for later assembly or rework. |
Compatibility
What can change with this selection
- Assembly quantity is bounded by the selected board quantity.
- Changing assembly type can reset the available quantity ladder.
- If the page disables a choice, treat it as a compatibility result and adjust the controlling design decision rather than forcing the value.
Practical recommendation
How to make the decision
- Match fabrication quantity when every board should be assembled.
- Use a lower assembly quantity for staged validation.
- Confirm the quantity before cart because components, placement and labour follow it.
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.
- Match fabrication quantity when every board should be assembled.
- Use a lower assembly quantity for staged validation.
- Confirm the quantity before cart because components, placement and labour follow it.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for ordering and design review
Why can’t assembly quantity exceed board quantity?
Every assembled unit needs a bare board, so the assembly quantity cannot be higher than the boards in the order.
When should I change Assembly quantity?
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.
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.