When you need a partner for medical device electronics manufacturing, the first question is usually about the quote. You want to know what it costs, when we can ship, and what we need from you to start. Here is our direct answer: we provide a detailed, line-item quotation within five working days of receiving a complete BOM and approved drawings. That quote is binding for 30 days. We do this because your procurement cycle for industrial control equipment depends on predictable costs and lead times, not surprises.
We are Informic, and we work as an extension of your purchasing department. We do not only build boards. We review your files, flag risks, and suggest alternatives before you commit to a purchase order. This article explains how we handle the quotation process, what we check during Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and how we structure our communication so you can make decisions faster.
What We Need From You to Start a Quotation
Every quotation request starts with the same three documents. If you have them ready, we can move quickly. If you are missing one, we will tell you on the first call, not after three days of email silence.
Technical reference: For related engineering context, see IPC standards and industry resources.
- Complete Bill of Materials (BOM): We need manufacturer part numbers, quantities, and reference designators. Do not send us a BOM with "equivalent or better" notes. We will ask for clarification.
- Gerber files and assembly drawings: These tell us the physical layout and where components sit. We also need the PCB stackup details if you have them.
- Any special requirements: This includes test points, conformal coating, X-ray inspection, or specific packaging for your medical device enclosure.
We understand that your BOM might contain long-lead components. Tell us which ones you are worried about. We have relationships with components distributors across Europe, and we can check stock availability while we prepare your quote. We do not guarantee stock, but we will give you a realistic lead time based on current market data.
How We Structure Our Quotation
Our quotation is not a single price. It is a table with clear lines for each service. This helps you compare us against other suppliers without guessing what is included.
| Line Item | What It Covers | Typical Cost Basis |
|---|---|---|
| PCB Manufacturing | Bare board fabrication, material, layer count, surface finish | Per square meter, based on quantity |
| Component Sourcing | Procurement of all parts in your BOM, including logistics | Component cost plus a small handling fee |
| Assembly (PCBA) | Soldering, placement, and inspection of all components | Per board, based on component count |
| Testing | AOI, ICT, or functional test as required | Per test method, per board |
| Conformal Coating | Application of protective coating for harsh environments | Per board, based on coverage area |
We send this table as an editable spreadsheet, not a locked PDF. You can adjust quantities or remove line items to see how the price changes. This transparency is how we make purchasing clearer. You never have to ask "what does this include?" because the answer is on the page.
Our DFM Review: What We Check Before You Commit
Before we quote a final price, we run a Design for Manufacturing review. This is not a sales tactic. It is a practical check of your files against our production capabilities. We do this for every project, regardless of size.
We look for common issues that cause delays or cost overruns. For example, we check if your pad sizes match the component leads. We verify that your solder mask openings are large enough for the stencil. We also review your BOM for part obsolescence. If a component is marked as "last time buy," we will tell you immediately. We would rather lose a quote than send you into production with a part that will disappear in six months.
Here is a specific question we ask on every review: What is the operating temperature range for your final device? If you are building industrial control equipment that sits next to a motor, the answer matters. We need to confirm that the solder paste and board material can handle the heat. We do not assume. We ask.
Another check is on component polarity. We have seen many designs where a diode or capacitor is placed in the wrong orientation on the layout. Our engineers catch this before we order parts. This saves you the cost of scrapped boards and the time of a redesign. We send you a DFM report with photos and notes. You decide what to change.
We also review your test strategy. If you do not have a test plan, we can suggest one based on the complexity of your board. For a simple sensor interface, a basic continuity test might be enough. For a multi-layer board with a microcontroller, you likely need an ICT fixture. We will quote the fixture cost separately, so you can decide if it is worth the investment.
This DFM process is part of our standard service. We do not charge a separate fee for it. You get the report whether you place an order or not. This is how we build trust with procurement teams who are tired of hidden costs.
How We Handle Your BOM and Component Sourcing
Your BOM is the heart of the quotation. We treat it with care. We cross-reference every part number against our internal database and distributor stock. If a part is obsolete or has a long lead time, we flag it in the quote. We also offer alternatives, but we never substitute without your written approval.
For medical device electronics manufacturing, we understand that some components are critical to patient safety. We will not swap a precision resistor for a cheaper one to save money. We will, however, suggest a second source if the original is unavailable. We always explain the technical difference and let you make the final call.
We also consolidate your component orders. If you are building multiple products, we can group the purchasing to get better pricing from distributors. This is a simple way to reduce your total cost, but it requires planning. Tell us your forecast, and we will see if we can combine orders.
We use our pcba service to handle the full assembly process, from solder paste to final inspection. This means you have one point of contact for the entire build. You do not need to coordinate between a board shop and an assembly house. We do that internally.
If you need bare boards before assembly, we can arrange that too. We offer pcbManufacturing as a standalone service. Some customers prefer to build prototypes in-house and only use us for volume production. That is fine. We will quote the bare boards separately and keep the assembly quote ready for when you need it.
Practical Steps to Get a Faster Quote
We want to make your job easier. Here are four concrete steps you can take before you contact us.
- Check your BOM for completeness. Ensure every part has a manufacturer part number. If you have a "generic" line item, remove it or specify a preferred brand.
- Review your Gerber files for missing layers. We often see files without a solder mask layer or a silkscreen. These are not deal-breakers, but they slow down the quote.
- Define your annual volume. We do not need a firm commitment, but a range helps us negotiate component pricing. A forecast of 1,000 units per year gets a different price than 50,000.
- Ask about our lead time for your specific components. If you have a long-lead item, tell us now. We can check availability while we prepare the quote.
These steps sound simple, but they save days of back-and-forth emails. We have seen procurement teams spend two weeks clarifying a BOM because they did not check for duplicate part numbers. We want to avoid that for you.
What We Do After You Accept the Quote
Once you approve the quotation, we send a purchase order confirmation within 24 hours. This document lists the agreed price, lead time, and delivery terms. We also send a production schedule that shows when we will order components, when the boards go into assembly, and when we expect to ship.
We provide updates at each milestone. You will not have to chase us for status. We send a weekly email with a simple progress table: components ordered, boards in fabrication, assembly started, testing passed, ready to ship. This is not a marketing promise. It is our standard operating procedure.
We also keep a sample of your product after the first production run. This helps us verify that future orders match the approved quality. If you change a component, we ask you to send a new sample. This prevents drift in performance over time.
FAQ
Do you provide a quote for a prototype batch?
Yes. We quote prototypes at the same level of detail as volume production. The price per board will be higher because of setup costs, but you will see exactly what those costs are. We do not hide them in the unit price. This helps you budget for the prototype phase and compare it to the cost of a full production run.
What is your typical lead time for a medical device PCB assembly?
Our standard lead time is 4 to 6 weeks from the day we receive your approved purchase order and all materials are in stock. If you have custom components or a complex board, we will tell you the exact lead time in the quote. We do not give a range that we cannot meet. If we say 5 weeks, we mean 5 weeks.
Can you help us if our design has errors?
Yes. Our DFM review will catch most errors before production. If we find an issue, we send you a report with suggested fixes. You can make the changes and resubmit the files. We do not charge for the first DFM review. If you need multiple revisions, we will discuss a small fee, but that is rare. Most errors are simple to fix.
