Today, the accuracy of cost prediction is an important issue in almost all the industries. The direct relationship between product development, manufacturing cost and profit, is encouraging companies to develop cost estimating programmes. Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing is an important part of the electronic equipment market and many manufacturers have realised the importance to accurately estimate their final production cost. The design process needs special mention, because it is a difficult and complex process performed most of the time by expert people, using their experience, with all the risks and limitations that this brings with it. This paper presents an introduction to the PCB design and manufacturing, its development and major elements that constitute its production cost. Finally, it presents the challenges identified in the first stages of this research.
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