Setup,Tooling and NRE, Oh My!

摘要

One of the most frequent questions I am asked at the beginning of a job is, "What are the NRE/tool-ing charges and what do I get for them?" Let's take a moment to review the difference between nonrecurring engineering and tooling. I believe doing this will not only provide better insight as to what these costs entail, but also a better understanding of what it takes to build a flex circuit. Most buyers understand NRE and tooling costs are a given and a requirement to manufacture. NRE can be best described as virtual tools, consisting of design and programming for a specific flex circuit. Tooling, on the other hand, typically involves a physical item such as a fixture or a punch. Both are dedicated to a specific model or part and not for general production use.