BGA soldering

Technical discussions around xCORE processors (e.g. xcore-200 & xcore.ai).
User avatar
octal
XCore Addict
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:30 pm
Location: Argenteuil - France

BGA soldering

Post by octal »

Hello,

Has anyone done his own XMOS BGA-G4 based board here in the forum?

I just wanted to know if anyone can suggest a company that does BGA assemling. I need to have a board assembled using a G4 BGA-512. I you have an approximative estimation on the cost of such board (4 layers with G4 with some other smt components with dimensions of about 200x200 mm) it will be welcome :)
User avatar
leon_heller
XCore Expert
Posts: 546
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:41 pm
Location: St. Leonards-on-Sea, E. Sussex, UK.

Post by leon_heller »

I've used this company:

http://www.asktechnology.co.uk/About%20ASK.htm

Prices were reasonable (£30 for assembling one board). You need to supply a stencil.
User avatar
octal
XCore Addict
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:30 pm
Location: Argenteuil - France

Post by octal »

Thanks Leon,
was £30 for assembling the whole board or only the BGA part(s) ?
User avatar
leon_heller
XCore Expert
Posts: 546
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:41 pm
Location: St. Leonards-on-Sea, E. Sussex, UK.

Post by leon_heller »

That was for the whole board. I supplied the MCU and Telit BGA module and they provided the passives. The Telit modem was much simpler than the XMOS chips (only 84 balls), but that shouldn't make much difference. They checked the BGA connections with X-ray. I asked them about the low cost and they said that they didn't make much money on prototypes like that, but they made it up on subsequent larger orders.

You probably have similar companies in France, but it might be hard to find them.

I forgot about this company in the USA:

http://www.screamingcircuits.com/

I've never used them but they have a good reputation.
User avatar
octal
XCore Addict
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:30 pm
Location: Argenteuil - France

Post by octal »

leon_heller wrote: You probably have similar companies in France, but it might be hard to find them.
Thanks Leon, I'll check both companies you mentioned.

It's not that easy to find such companies here in France. I found only 4 little companies here that accept to assemble prototypes, and without BGA services, most of them have prices out of reach. For a little boards with a size of about 100x140mm, they propose to assemble smt components (without providing components) for about 400 euro :?

Actually I'm looking at assembling dev boards with XMOS BGA chips on them.
User avatar
leon_heller
XCore Expert
Posts: 546
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:41 pm
Location: St. Leonards-on-Sea, E. Sussex, UK.

Post by leon_heller »

Use a PCB company that supplies a free stencil, like PCB Pool. It can save you a lot of money.