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A Comprehensive Comparative Guide

  • Quick-Turn
    R&D phase, rapid prototype verification
  • Standard
    Cost optimization, mass-produced standard products
  • Advanced
    High standards & quality required for application scenarios
Parameter Quick-Turn PCBs Standard PCBs Advanced PCBs
Typical Use Functional prototypes Industrial Control - Consumer Electronics (Security, Power Supply, Mini LED, etc.) 5G, Medical, Aerospace, Automotive, Micro LED, etc.
Quality Std Factory industry standards, IPC Class 2 IPC Class 2, IPC Class 3 IPC Class 2, IPC Class 3, IATF16949, ISO13485, ISO 9001
Prototyping Lead Time 24hrs–5 days 5–7 days 7–15 days
Mass Production N/A 2–4 weeks (1k+ units) 4–8 weeks (special processes)
Cost Efficiency High per-unit Bulk-optimized Customized price
Rush Service 12hr ultra-rush
(+30-50% fee)		 Limited (+20-40% fee) Pricing varies by specific scenario
Materials Stock FR-4 FR-4 (Specify)， 1L Metal-core High-frequency & high-speed, Metal-core, Ceramic, BT, HF, Transparent PI, Transparent glass, Transparent resin and other special materials
Recommended layer count ≤8L ≤12L ≤128L(Any-layer HDI)
Design Freedom ≥4mil Unrestricted ≥3mil Unrestricted ≥1.2mil Unrestricted
Reliability Short-term indoor 5–8 years 15+ years / extreme env.
Key Characteristics • Skipped DFM review
• Express scheduling
• Generic parameters		 • Full process prep
• Batch scheduling
• Standard QC		 • Multi-stage engineering
• Special material sourcing
• Key process control

Quality Standards

Quick-Turn
Rapid testing

Standard
Standard manufacturing

Advanced
High-end customization

  • Compliance:
    Factory industry standards, IPC Class 2
  • Testing:
    100% flying probe + full AOI
  • Tolerances:
    Line width (±20%), Hole position (±10%)
  • No shipping report; only continuity test pass guaranteed
  • Compliance:
    IPC Class 2, IPC Class 3
  • Testing:
    100% flying probe + full AOI, Test fixture-specific testing
  • Tolerances:
    Line width (±15%), Hole position (±8%)
  • Full shipping report: Continuity performance, lamination analysis, soldering functionality, metallographic microscope section analysis, etc.
  • Compliance:
    IPC Class 2, IPC Class 3, IATF16949, ISO13485, ISO 9001
  • Testing:
    100% flying probe + full AOI, Test fixture-specific testing, 100% microprobe testing
  • Tolerances:
    Line width (±10%), Hole position (±5%)
  • Full shipping report: Standard PCB test report + optional ionic contamination test, salt spray test, ROHS analysis, 2D/3D measurement report, peel strength test, acid-base resistance test, high-voltage test, roughness test, etc.

Advanced PCBs Case Example: A medical PCB requiring 20-year MRI-environment operation underwent 127 tests, including 45-day environmental trials.

Production Timelines

Production Phase Quick-Turn PCBs Standard PCBs Advanced PCBs
Prototyping Lead Time 24hrs–5 days 5–7 days 7–15 days
Mass Production N/A 2–4 weeks (1k+ units) 4–8 weeks (special processes)
Rush Service 12hr ultra-rush (+30–50% fee) Limited (+20–40% fee) Generally unavailable
Key Characteristics • Skipped DFM review
• Express scheduling
• Generic parameters		 • Full process prep
• Batch scheduling
• Standard QC		 • Multi-stage engineering
• Special material sourcing
• Key process control

Why Quick-Turn is Fast ?
 Streamlined processes (minimal DFM checks, stocked materials, reduced testing) — like fast-food kitchens: efficient but inflexible. Engineers often quip: “Submitted Gerbers at night; received shipping notification before my morning coffee!”

Why Advanced PCBs Delay ?
Precision steps (e.g., a 20-layer server board needs >30 stages: laser drilling → pulse plating → sequential lamination → X-ray alignment). Each demands parameter perfection—comparable to Swiss watchmaking.

Cost Structure Cases

Quick-Turn

Standard

Advanced

TG150 FR-4, 2L

• 100x100mm, 100pcs

• 1.6mm, 1oZ, HASL, Green

TG155 FR-4, 4L

• 100x100mm, 100pcs

• 1.6mm, 1oZ, HASL, Green

TG180 FR-4, 12L

• 100x100mm, 100pcs

• 1.6mm, 1oZ, HASL, Green

  • Project fee:
    $10.00
  • Material fee:
    $77.00
  • Test fee:
    $10.00
  • Additional fee:
    $7.00
  • Total:
    $104.00
  • Project fee:
    $40.00
  • Material fee:
    $123.00
  • Test fee:
    $10.00
  • Additional fee:
    $7.00
  • Total:
    $180.00
  • Project fee:
    $500.00
  • Material fee:
    $425.00
  • Test fee:
    $10.00
  • Additional fee:
    $12.00
  • Total:
    $947.00

Selection Strategy

When to Choose Quick-Turn

  • Prototyping: Functional verification in ≤3 days
  • Design iterations: >5 revisions expected
  • Emergency replacement: Production line shortages

Design Constraints:
• Avoid >2A power traces (copper thickness limits)
• Use for RF basic functionality only

Standard PCB Necessities

  • Industrial Control - Consumer Electronics (Security, Power Supply, Mini LED, etc.)
  • Mass production cost optimization
  • Sufficient regular material inventory & stable supply

Design Hacks:
• Size boards as 100x100mm multiples (reduced milling fees)
• Standardize hole sizes (minimize drill changes)

Advanced PCB Necessities

  • 5G, Medical, Aerospace, Automotive, Micro LED, etc.
  • Life-critical devices: Pacemakers
  • Millimeter-wave radar control systems: 24GHz/77GHz
  • Precision optical high-frequency transparent applications: Transmittance >90%
  • Long-term temperature resistance >1000°C
  • Ultra-precision & ultra-miniature: BGA package design (ball diameter 0.05mm)
  • IC packaging substrate PCBs

Success Factors:
• Comprehensive communication during upgrading & production
• Free 1-on-1 support from professional engineers
• Full product range & complete standard coverage

Core Definitions & Applications of PCB Types

Quick-Turn PCBs: The Speed Pioneers

What is a Quick-Turn PCB?
Built for time-critical R&D phases, these boards deliver prototypes in 24 hours to 5 days. Typically ≤8 layers with standard FR-4 substrates, they avoid complex features like blind/buried vias. Their mission: rapid functional validation—akin to architectural mock-ups prioritizing speed over refinement.

Example Scenario:
A startup developing a smart home controller needs 10 demo boards for an exhibition. Quick-turn manufacturing delivers boards from Gerber files within 48 hours. Orders can start with an online quote, featuring instant pricing and step-by-step guidance.

Standard PCBs: The Economical Workhorses

What is a Standard PCB?
When products enter mass production, standard PCBs become the cost-optimized solution. Using common 1-12 layer FR-4 materials with HASL or OSP finishes, they comply with IPC Class 2 standards. Lead times span 1-4 weeks (based on design complexity/order size), and bulk orders significantly reduce per-unit costs.

Everyday Examples:
The charging brick for your phone or office wireless keyboard—devices that balance reliability and cost efficiency.

Advanced PCBs: The Technological Vanguard

What is an Advanced PCB?
For high-demand applications (5G base stations, autonomous vehicles, aerospace systems), advanced PCBs excel. They use specialized materials (Rogers, Taconic), metal cores (Al/Cu), or flex substrates, supporting HDI routing, blind/buried vias, and 3D packaging. Compliance with IPC Class 3, IATF 16949, or ISO 13485 is mandatory. Lead times exceed 2 weeks, with costs often multiples of standard boards.

Critical Example:
The control board inside a medical CT scanner—requiring flawless signal integrity under high radiation.

Comparison Table Quality Standards Production Timelines Cost Structures Selection Strategy PCB Types
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