The short answer
What this setting controls
Single PCB is the simplest choice when you want separate boards. A customer panel means your design already includes a panel arrangement. A TekRabbits panel means you want the production team to arrange compatible boards for manufacture.
Verify the panel array, breakaway method, edge rails, fiducials, tooling and delivered-unit semantics before using a panel path. Assembly may require a specific rail strategy.
Options in the order form
How the available choices differ
| Choice | Use it for | Engineering note |
|---|---|---|
| Single PCB | Individual finished boards | Use when the uploaded files contain one board and assembly handling does not require a panel. |
| Panel by customer | Your files already contain the final panel | You own rails, breakaway, fiducials, tooling and array correctness. |
| Panel by TekRabbits | You want production panel planning | Confirm delivered panel count, board count per panel and depanelisation expectations. |
Compatibility
What can change with this selection
- Panel quantity is not always the same as board quantity.
- Customer-panel geometry can make the analysed dimensions read as the panel footprint.
- 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
- Use Single PCB for a normal individual-board order.
- Use Panel by customer only when the uploaded Gerber already contains the panel geometry.
- Use Panel by TekRabbits when you want a manufacturing panel planned from the board design.
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 Single PCB for a normal individual-board order.
- Use Panel by customer only when the uploaded Gerber already contains the panel geometry.
- Use Panel by TekRabbits when you want a manufacturing panel planned from the board design.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for ordering and design review
Should I panelise a prototype?
Only when the assembly or production process benefits from it. For a simple hand-built prototype, individual boards are easier to inspect.
When should I change Delivery format?
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.