In the process of making PCB boards, the main cost comes from the molding, which costs around $200. The exact cost of making a PCB board, on the other hand, depends largely on the area of the board, which is about 10 cents per square centimeter. Therefore, whether you make one board or three, the difference in terms of production costs alone is not that great.
Taking a standard 10x10 cm PCB board as an example, which has an area of 100 square centimeters, at a cost of 10 cents per square centimeter, this board would cost about $10 to make. If three such boards were to be made, the total cost would be just $30, which is comparable to the cost of making one board.
It is worth noting that this price is based on simple single panel fabrication. If more complex multi-layer board making is involved, or if specific materials, processes, etc. need to be added, the cost will increase accordingly. For beginners, knowing this basic information will help with better budgeting and planning.
In addition, it may vary from one manufacturer to another, so it is advisable to ask for a detailed quote before placing an order. Meanwhile, some online platforms or service companies may offer more flexible pricing strategies, including volume discounts, etc., which is also a factor to consider.
All in all, the production cost of a single PCB board is mainly composed of mold opening cost and area cost, and has little to do with the number of boards. For those who want to make PCB boards in bulk, they can make a more reasonable budget and plan based on this information.