Overview of Terms and Conditions

Advanced Circuits provides printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication and assembly services to customers worldwide. By placing an order with Advanced Circuits, customers agree to abide by the company’s terms and conditions. These terms cover key aspects of the business relationship between Advanced Circuits and its customers, including:

• Pricing and payment
• Ordering process
• Intellectual property rights
• Delivery and shipping
• Product quality and warranties
• Limitation of liability
• Governing law and jurisdiction

It’s important for customers to carefully review and understand these terms before submitting an order. The terms and conditions help set expectations and protect both Advanced Circuits and its customers.

Pricing and Payment Terms

Advanced Circuits strives to offer competitive pricing on its PCB Prototyping and production services. Pricing depends on factors such as the specifications and complexity of the PCB design, quantity ordered, turnaround time, and selected shipping method.

PCB Prototyping Pricing

For PCB prototyping, Advanced Circuits offers instant online quoting through its website. Customers can upload their design files and get an immediate quote based on the automated analysis of their design. Prototyping pricing depends on the following key factors:

Factor	Description
Board Dimensions	The size of the PCB, specified in inches
Number of Layers	The number of conductive layers in the PCB Stackup
Material Type	The base material, such as FR-4, polyimide, etc.
Surface Finish	The final plating on exposed copper, such as HASL, ENIG, etc.
Solder Mask Color	The color of the solder mask over the outer layers
Silkscreen	The color and sides of silkscreen legends
Quantity	The number of boards ordered
Turnaround Time	The fabrication time, ranging from 1-5 days for prototypes

Production Pricing

For higher volume production orders, Advanced Circuits provides customized quotes based on the specific requirements of each order. Customers can request a quote by providing their design files, target quantity, and required delivery date. A sales representative will review the design and specifications to develop a tailored quote.

Production pricing is affected by the same factors as prototyping, but with the following additional considerations:

Factor	Description
Annual Volume	The total quantity of boards ordered over a year
Delivery Schedule	The required delivery dates and any split shipments
Consigned Materials	Any customer-supplied materials, such as components
Testing Requirements	Electrical testing, such as flying probe or fixture-based
Certifications	Special certifications, such as UL, ISO, or AS9100

Payment Terms

Advanced Circuits accepts major credit cards, PayPal, and company purchase orders for payment. For new customers, payment is typically required at the time of order placement. For established customers with good payment history, net 30 day terms may be available.

Customers are responsible for any applicable taxes, duties, or other fees associated with their order. Advanced Circuits will charge sales tax on orders shipped to states where it has a legal obligation to do so, unless the customer provides a valid tax exemption certificate.

Ordering Process

To place an order with Advanced Circuits, customers need to provide the following:

1. Design Files: The PCB design files, typically in Gerber RS-274X format
2. Bill of Materials (BOM): A list of all required components and quantities
3. Assembly Files: Centroid files (pick and place) and any assembly drawings
4. Desired Quantity: The number of boards or assemblies required
5. Shipping Address: The address where the order should be delivered

PCB Fabrication Orders

For PCB fabrication orders, customers can submit their design files and quantities online through the Advanced Circuits website. The online system will automatically analyze the files and provide an instant quote. Customers can then proceed to checkout, select shipping options, and provide payment to complete the order.

If any issues are detected with the design files, such as missing layers or incorrect formatting, the Advanced Circuits engineering team will notify the customer and work with them to resolve the issues before proceeding with fabrication.

PCB Assembly Orders

For PCB assembly orders, customers need to provide the design files, BOM, and assembly files. They can request an online quote by uploading these files and specifying the desired quantity and turnaround time.

The Advanced Circuits team will review the submitted files and may contact the customer with any questions or suggestions for improving manufacturability or reducing cost. Once the quote is finalized and accepted, the customer can proceed with payment to begin the assembly process.

Intellectual Property Rights

By placing an order with Advanced Circuits, customers represent and warrant that they have the necessary rights and permissions to use any designs, trademarks, or other intellectual property included in their submitted files. Advanced Circuits assumes no responsibility for verifying the ownership or rights to use any customer-submitted intellectual property.

Customers agree to indemnify and hold harmless Advanced Circuits from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from the infringement or misuse of third-party intellectual property rights in connection with their order.

Delivery and Shipping Terms

Turnaround Time

Advanced Circuits offers standard and expedited turnaround options for both PCB fabrication and assembly services. The standard turnaround time for prototyping services is typically 2-5 business days, depending on the complexity of the design and selected options. Expedited 1-day or same-day turnaround may be available for an additional fee.

Production turnaround times are quoted based on the specific requirements of each order, taking into account factors such as quantity, complexity, and testing needs. Advanced Circuits works closely with customers to establish realistic delivery schedules that meet their needs.

Shipping Methods

Advanced Circuits offers a range of shipping options to meet customer needs and budgets. Customers can select from the following carriers and service levels:

Carrier	Services
UPS	Ground, 3 Day Select, 2nd Day Air, Next Day Air (Early/Saver)
FedEx	Ground, 2 Day, Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight, First Overnight
DHL	Express Worldwide, Express 12:00, Express 10:30, Express 9:00
USPS	Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express

Customers are responsible for all shipping costs, which will be added to the order total at checkout. Advanced Circuits will provide tracking information via email once the order has shipped.

International Shipping

Advanced Circuits can ship orders to most countries worldwide. Customers are responsible for any customs duties, taxes, or other fees associated with international shipments. Advanced Circuits will provide the necessary customs documentation, such as a commercial invoice and packing list, but cannot guarantee the actions or processing time of foreign customs authorities.

Some countries may have restrictions or additional requirements for importing PCBs or electronic components. Customers should verify the specific import regulations and requirements for their country before placing an international order.

Product Quality and Warranties

PCB Fabrication Quality

Advanced Circuits manufactures all PCBs to meet or exceed the IPC-A-600 Class 2 standard, unless otherwise specified by the customer. The company maintains a robust quality management system, including ISO 9001 certification and strict process controls.

All PCBs undergo automated optical inspection (AOI) to detect any surface defects or abnormalities. Electrical testing, such as flying probe or fixture-based testing, is available as an optional service to verify the electrical integrity of the boards.

If a customer receives PCBs with manufacturing defects, Advanced Circuits will replace the defective boards at no charge, provided the customer notifies the company within 30 days of receipt and returns the defective boards for analysis.

PCB Assembly Quality

Advanced Circuits assembles PCBs using state-of-the-art automated assembly equipment and processes, including automated optical inspection (AOI) and X-ray inspection. All assemblers are trained and certified to the IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 standards for electronic assembly.

The company offers both turnkey and consignment assembly services. For turnkey assembly, Advanced Circuits sources all components according to the customer’s BOM and takes responsibility for the quality and functionality of the assembled boards. For consignment assembly, the customer provides some or all of the components, and Advanced Circuits is responsible only for the workmanship of the assembly process.

Advanced Circuits warrants its assembly services to be free from defects in workmanship for a period of 90 days from the date of shipment. If a customer receives assembled boards with workmanship defects, Advanced Circuits will repair or replace the defective assemblies at its discretion, provided the customer notifies the company within the warranty period and returns the defective assemblies for analysis.

Limitations and Exclusions

Advanced Circuits’ warranties cover only manufacturing and workmanship defects and do not extend to defects or failures caused by customer design issues, misuse, abuse, or normal wear and tear. The company is not liable for any consequential, incidental, or indirect damages arising from the use or failure of its products or services.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that their designs meet their intended purpose and function and that all necessary testing and verification have been performed before placing an order. Advanced Circuits does not warrant the fitness or suitability of its products for any specific application or use.

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall Advanced Circuits be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, or indirect damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, revenue, or data, arising out of or in connection with any order or the use or performance of its products or services, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Advanced Circuits’ total liability for any claim or damages arising out of or related to an order shall not exceed the total amount paid by the customer for the specific products or services giving rise to the claim.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, USA, without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Denver, Colorado, and each party consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What payment methods does Advanced Circuits accept?

Advanced Circuits accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, and company purchase orders. For new customers, payment is typically required at the time of order placement. Established customers with good payment history may be eligible for net 30 day terms.

2. What is the standard turnaround time for PCB Prototypes?

The standard turnaround time for PCB prototyping is 2-5 business days, depending on the complexity of the design and selected options. Expedited 1-day or same-day turnaround may be available for an additional fee.

3. Does Advanced Circuits offer design review services?

Yes, Advanced Circuits offers free design for manufacturability (DFM) review services. When you submit your design files for a quote, the engineering team will analyze your files and provide feedback on any potential issues or suggestions for improving manufacturability.

4. What is the minimum order quantity for PCB fabrication?

Advanced Circuits has no minimum order quantity for PCB fabrication. You can order as few as one prototype board or as many production boards as you need.

5. How does Advanced Circuits ensure the quality of its PCB fabrication and assembly services?

Advanced Circuits maintains a robust quality management system, including ISO 9001 certification and strict process controls. All PCBs are manufactured to meet or exceed the IPC-A-600 Class 2 standard, and all assembly work is performed by certified assemblers to the IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 standards. The company uses automated optical inspection (AOI) and X-ray inspection to detect any defects or quality issues.