PCB + SMT one purchasing path

Turnkey PCB assembly for LED aluminum boards

One purchasing path for aluminum PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, and optional component sourcing. The board specification and the assembly process are reviewed together, so LED lighting projects do not split across three suppliers.

One purchasing pathLED aluminum board focusBuyer-supplied LEDs welcome
Assembled LED aluminum PCB after turnkey fabrication and SMT

Board spec and SMT should not be quoted as two separate jobs

An LED aluminum PCB is not a bare board plus a later assembly step.

Copper, dielectric, aluminum base, surface finish, LED package, solder paste, and reflow all affect the same build.

When one supplier makes the board and another mounts the LEDs, small file gaps show up late. Turnkey keeps those checks in one review before production starts.

Gaps this is meant to reduce

  • LED polarity is unclear between the board drawing and the pick-and-place file
  • Surface finish does not match the assembly schedule
  • Thermal pad or stencil notes are missing until SMT starts
  • A lighting test is expected, but it was never in the quote

Is this purchasing path a fit?

Turnkey is for one PO covering the board and SMT. Bare board or SMT-only stay on their own pages.

A fit if

  • You manufacture LED lighting products on aluminum PCB
  • You want one supplier for board, assembly, and optional parts
  • The project can move from sample to repeat production
  • Gerber, BOM, and quantity can be confirmed before production

Usually not a fit if

  • You only need the bare aluminum board — use fabrication
  • The board is already made and you only need SMT
  • The project is multilayer FR-4, box-build, or a complete luminaire
  • Functional testing is expected without a method or fixture

What this quote can cover

Turnkey here means one supplier coordinates the defined build. It does not mean every extra service is automatic.

Included when confirmed

  • Single-sided aluminum PCB fabrication
  • SMT assembly on LED / aluminum boards
  • Optional component sourcing after BOM review
  • Stencil preparation for the approved board
  • Incoming, first-article, and visual inspection
  • Packaging and shipment coordination

Not included

  • Complete light fixtures or housing assembly
  • Driver power-supply box builds
  • Multilayer FR-4 or general consumer electronics PCBA
  • Functional or lighting tests without a defined method
  • Silent part substitution without written approval
Scope itemTypical meaning
Board typeSingle-sided aluminum PCB / LED lighting boards
Service modelPCB + SMT, with optional component sourcing
Typical sourcingPartial turnkey — buyer supplies LEDs, factory sources the rest
Order typeSample, small batch, and repeat production
Files for quoteGerber, BOM, quantity, and which parts you will supply
InspectionIncoming, first article, visual / process inspection
TestingOnly when method, fixture, and pass/fail rules are defined
DeliveryAssembled LED boards, packed to the confirmed packing note

Who supplies the parts

Choose the model by sourcing responsibility, not by the word turnkey. For LED lighting, buyers often supply the LEDs.

Sourcing model

Full turnkey

We source most or all parts from the BOM.

Lower day-to-day part control for the buyer.

Best when MPNs are complete and parts can be purchased.

Most common for LED

Partial turnkey

You supply LEDs or other approved parts; we source the rest.

You keep bin, brand, and optical control where it matters.

The usual model for LED lighting boards.

Sourcing model

Consigned

You supply the components; we fabricate and assemble.

Highest control over every part source.

Best when parts are already purchased or locked.

Typical LED project: you supply the LEDs

Lighting buyers often already have an approved LED brand, bin, and optical layout. In that case we fabricate the aluminum PCB, source passives if needed, and run SMT. You keep control of the light source; we keep board and assembly in one workflow.

If the BOM is complete and LEDs can be purchased, full turnkey can be reviewed. If the parts are already in your warehouse, consigned assembly is the cleaner path.

SMT placement on LED aluminum PCB boards

How a turnkey build is handled

The useful part is a defined aluminum PCB + SMT workflow, with sourcing and inspection confirmed before order.

1

File review

Gerber, BOM, quantity, and sourcing notes are checked as one package.

2

Aluminum PCB

The bare board is fabricated to the confirmed thickness, copper, and finish.

3

Component plan

We confirm who supplies LEDs and other parts before purchasing starts.

4

SMT assembly

Boards are assembled after stencil, polarity, and first-article checks.

5

Inspection

Incoming, first-article, and visual checks are done on the confirmed scope.

6

Pack and ship

Finished boards are packed and shipped after pre-shipment confirmation.

Typical boards this is for

LED source boards, modules, and lighting boards on aluminum PCB — not complete fixtures. The difference is one PO for board and SMT.

Assembled circular LED source board after SMT
LED source board
Assembled circular LED module with onboard driver
LED module
Linear LED lighting board assembly
Linear LED board
LED panel lighting board assembly
LED panel board
Industrial high-bay LED board assembly
High-bay board
Flood lighting board assembly
Flood-light board

LED aluminum PCB checkpoints

Polarity, heat path, and solderability have to be confirmed before the first article. These are the points that usually change yield.

CheckpointWhat to confirm
LED polaritySilkscreen, CPL, and assembly drawing must show the same direction.
LED orientationRotation should be checked before the first article.
Thermal pathBoard stack, LED pad, and dielectric affect heat transfer.
Surface finishOSP, HASL, or another finish should be confirmed before SMT.
Solder paste / stencilPaste volume matters on LED thermal pads.
Inspection scopeVisual or AOI rules should be named in the quote, not assumed.

What to send for a quote

A complete package quotes the real work. Missing files create exclusions or extra back-and-forth. A short note is still enough to start.

File / informationWhy it matters
Gerber packageLatest revision only, including outline and solder mask.
BOMReference, MPN, package, quantity, and approved alternates if any.
CPL / pick-and-placeXY, rotation, and side — especially for LED polarity.
Assembly drawingPlacement, orientation, and special notes for LEDs or connectors.
Board specificationThickness, copper, surface finish, and any panel notes.
Sourcing splitWhich parts you will supply, especially LEDs.
Quantity / scheduleSample, pilot, and mass-production quantities if they differ.
Test / packing notesOnly needed when a specific test or packing method is required.

For parts list formatting rules, download our PCB assembly BOM template (.xlsx). To review RFQ factors and required documentation, see our PCBA quote checklist. Gerber files and BOM can be emailed directly to sales@luminapcb.com.

What affects the quote

Turnkey cost is not only SMT labor. Board spec, BOM, setup, inspection, and schedule all sit in the same number.

Cost driverWhat changes it
Aluminum PCB specificationSize, thickness, copper, finish, and panel use.
Component procurementPart price, MOQ, availability, and who buys the LEDs.
SMT setupStencil, programming, and first-article preparation.
Part count and packagesMore parts and tighter packages add assembly work.
Inspection and testingExtra AOI, fixtures, or lighting tests add time.
Lead timeExpedited sourcing or production can add a premium.

Sourcing rules

If we buy parts, the BOM still needs exact numbers. Substitution is not assumed.

  • A description such as “white 2835 LED” is not enough for a controlled buy
  • Exact MPNs should be listed, with approved alternates if substitution is allowed
  • Long-lead or obsolete parts should be flagged before production starts
  • No silent substitution — any change needs written sign-off
AOI inspection after LED PCB assembly

How to start

Scope is confirmed after we review the board files and BOM. Pricing and delivery are confirmed before order.

  1. 01

    Send files

    Gerber, BOM, quantity, and which parts you will supply.

  2. 02

    Confirm scope

    We confirm the sourcing model, inspection, and whether turnkey fits.

  3. 03

    Quote and plan

    Board, parts, assembly, and lead time are quoted as one package.

Need only one part of this?

Looking for fabrication or SMT only, rather than one purchasing path?

FAQ

Short answers before you send a project.

What does turnkey include here?

It is a purchasing model, not a separate factory line. For suitable LED aluminum boards, it can combine PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, and optional component sourcing under one quote. The quote should name what is included.

Can we supply the LEDs ourselves?

Yes. That is the usual path for lighting projects. You keep control of LED bin and brand; we coordinate the aluminum PCB, remaining parts if needed, and SMT.

Do you assemble complete lamps?

No. The service covers aluminum PCB boards and SMT assembly. Housings, lenses, and finished luminaires are outside the scope.

What files are needed for a quote?

Send Gerber files, BOM, quantity, and a note on which parts you will supply. Pick-and-place data, an assembly drawing, and board thickness/finish help when they are available.

Is full turnkey available on every project?

No. Component sourcing is confirmed after BOM review. If parts are unclear, long-lead, or customer-locked, partial turnkey or consigned assembly is usually the better fit.

Does turnkey include lighting tests?

Only when the test method, fixture, voltage/current, and pass/fail rule are defined before quotation. An undefined lighting test is not assumed.

How is this different from SMT assembly only?

SMT assembly is the mounting step. Turnkey is the buying path: aluminum PCB, optional parts, and SMT coordinated under one supplier so board spec and assembly are reviewed together.

Send the files for a turnkey review

Leave your name, email, and a short note. Email Gerber files and BOM to sales@luminapcb.com — the form does not accept uploads.