FAQ & Process
How a build runs, end to end
Six steps from Gerber to courier, then straight answers on quoting, MOQ, lead times, shipping and documents. Quotes in 1 business day, MOQ 1 pc, turnkey prototypes in 5–7 working days.
Process
Six steps from Gerber to courier
Every step has a named engineer on your file. Here is what happens — and what we need from you at each point.
Send files
Gerber or ODB++, a BOM in Excel, pick-and-place coordinates and assembly notes. The more complete the pack, the fewer clarification loops before the quote.
You provide: files, target quantity and requested date.
Quote & DFM in 1 business day
Pricing plus a four-point DFM review: pad and stencil risks, panelization, and BOM flags such as EOL or single-source parts.
You confirm: turnkey vs consignment, and the Class 2/3 acceptance level.
Sourcing
Turnkey parts come from authorized channels with EOL/PCN screening; passives are stocked 5–10% over BOM. Consigned kits are booked against a line slot.
You approve: any proposed substitutions before purchase.
Assembly
SMT with inline SPI and AOI, DIP by wave or selective soldering, conformal coating where specified. Line photos go out with the weekly build note.
You get: progress updates without having to chase.
Test
Flying probe for prototypes, ICT fixtures for volume, and 100% FCT against your limits; every BGA and QFN joint is X-rayed.
You provide: the test spec, limits and firmware for FCT.
Ship & documents
CoC, traceability sheets and a test summary travel in the box; DHL/FedEx/UPS reach Europe and North America door-to-door in 3–5 days.
You confirm: the Incoterm (EXW/FOB/DAP/DDP) and courier account if any.
Between the files and the courier
Every build gets a slot, a kit and a paper trail
Kits are staged against your BOM, boards travel the line under one traceability file, and nothing ships without its document pack. The six steps below are what we need from you at each point.
Quoting & files
Before you send anything
Gerber or ODB++ for the board, a BOM in Excel with manufacturer part numbers where possible, pick-and-place coordinates, and any assembly notes. For box-build, add enclosure drawings and a test spec. Send files to sales@saturnsz.com or use the quote form on the contact page.
MOQ is 1 pc. Prototypes, pilot runs and volume builds from 1 to over 100,000 pcs run on the same lines with the same acceptance criteria.
Within 1 business day, including DFM notes covering pad and stencil risks, panelization and BOM flags such as EOL parts. Complex box-build quotes can take an extra day, and we tell you upfront.
Yes. NDA on request — your Gerber and BOM files are used only for quoting and production and are not shared with third parties.
Lead times & logistics
Getting boards to your door
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a turnkey prototype build take? | Standard 5–7 working days after files and parts are confirmed; simple boards can be rushed to 72 hours. |
| How fast is express shipping to Europe or North America? | DHL, FedEx and UPS door-to-door in 3–5 days. |
| What about air and sea freight? | Air freight runs 5–12 days (around $5–8/kg); sea freight 30–45 days (around $2–4/kg). Sea shipments get extra moisture protection. |
| Which trade terms do you support? | EXW, FOB, DAP and DDP under Incoterms 2020. |
| Can you ship finished units that contain batteries? | Yes, declared to UN38.3 with compliant packing and documents; feasibility is confirmed at quoting. |
| Do I need to over-order components? | For passives, a 5–10% attrition allowance is standard practice and is stated in the quote. |
| How do I pay? | T/T bank transfer, with PayPal accepted for small prototype orders; terms are confirmed on the proforma invoice. |
| What quantities do you build? | From 1 pc to 100,000+ pcs. Prototypes and volume share the same line and the same engineering team. |
| When does the lead-time clock start? | On file confirmation and, for turnkey, parts arrival. For consignment, the clock starts when the kit passes incoming inspection. |
| Do you consolidate multi-part orders? | Yes. PCBAs, spares and boxed units can ship as one consolidated export carton with a single packing list. |
Quality & documents
What your auditor will ask
IPC-A-610 Class 2 is the default and Class 3 is available on request. As one Class 3 example, through-hole barrel fill must reach at least 75% (IPC-A-610 §7.5.3). BGA and QFN joints are 100% X-rayed in both classes.
A Certificate of Conformance travels with every shipment, together with build traceability to component lot and date code and a test summary. Unit-level serial records are provided for box-build orders.
Yes — PPAP Level 1–3 document packs for automotive-aligned programs and DHR-style documentation for medical programs, provided under your audit workflow.
After-sales
When something goes wrong
Problems get owners, clock times and written answers — the same discipline as the build itself.
Response in 1 working day
Every complaint gets a named engineer and a written acknowledgment within one working day — no ticket black holes.
8D report in 5 working days
Containment, root cause and corrective action in writing: the first 8D version lands within five working days of the report.
Transparent rework policy
Rework is quoted before we touch the board and performed to J-STD-001 criteria; repair records go back into the unit build file.
Still have questions?
Write to sales@saturnsz.com or call +86-XXX-XXXX-XXXX (GMT+8, Monday to Saturday 8:30–18:30). Answers come from engineers, not scripts.
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