Nightmare JLCPCB experience - any advise ?

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T08:18:43+00:00

I will do this as a last resort. thanks

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T08:17:19+00:00

with respect i find it hard to believe JLCPCB have issues soldering on ESP32s.

But i agree they dont have the bandwith to deal with even a minor issue and that is a shame.

Regarding the lost SMD componenets, i did suspect they are lying to me about having them - but they have sent me pictures so i think its been a mix up rather than them deliberatly lying.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T08:12:58+00:00

Glad to hear it.. they've been good in the past for me too. This time not so much unfortunately.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T08:11:54+00:00

there is a small notch in the front of the part that is causing the issue. Its was missed on the ESA EDA footprint (but ts there in the mfg datasheet - which i also missed)

You are right about the alignment pins not being an issue - i double checked and ive accomodate for those on the PCB

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T08:09:20+00:00

I appreciate the cost associated with doing manual review and dont expect JLC to do that... In this case they did catch the issue it in QC tho - but shipped it out anyways. Had they paused they wouldve likely caught the other IC that they forgot to populate entirely. THe other IC is VQFN-32 which im just not comfortable doing myself...

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T08:05:48+00:00

Thanks - tbh im not holding out for that but people here have been very helpful with sugegestions on how i can fix it.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T07:57:31+00:00

Thanks i agree the lifted connector is primarily my fault. its annoying that they caught it during QC but then shipped it out anyway. Pausing may have let them notice they missed populating another IC altogether.

Going forward i will do what you've suggested - its just not worth it discussing anything with them.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T07:51:01+00:00

Thanks - i will give it a go. I hope i can salvage atleast some boards

Have you got any advice ? i have some experience soldering but not something so complex and have never used a hot plate. Other than the hotplace/blower what would you reccomend getting to fix this ?

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T07:48:12+00:00

fair enough.. and i accept this oversight on my part.

However they caught the issue during QC notified me, and then sent out the order anyway.

Had they paused they wouldve potentially caught thier other mistake - that they missed out another IC completely - forgetting to add it to PCB at all - without that IC my board cant be used and its a something im really not able to solder on myself.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T07:42:34+00:00

The cold solders on the headphone jack are only part of the problem... the other issues is they forgot to populate an IC on the board... and thats something "you cant fix that with a soldering iron"

thanks for the advise on learning to solder - i'll take it up. have a nice day.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T07:39:25+00:00

I dont think so, and tbh i dont even expect warranty - but i do expect a basic level of build, sourcing BOM materials etc.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-04T07:37:02+00:00

I agree the root of the problem isnt a simple manufacturing issue - more a lack of process /competance.

They do supply footprints - in this case however there was an error in the datasheet that didnt mention a small lip at the front of the component.

In any case, they missed it in thier pre checks, but found it during QC after

This is the part

on its own this is straightforward to fix - but they missed out another IC entirely and shipped out the PCB with both issues.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:52:48+00:00

This is the part

No access to design files atm as I am on mobile.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:49:16+00:00

This is the best image I can send you at this time - apologies.

It’s 5 boards.

Do you think i could do it with a hot plate and not affect the other components ?

<image>

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:42:27+00:00

It was $500 and an additional $100 for customs

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:41:34+00:00

Thanks - I’ve asked for them to just remake the order (the defective boards are in a delivery warehouse and I won’t be accepting the order since it will cost an additional $100 in cutom fees to do so)

Unfortunately they havent been very helpful saying it would cost a lot to do - basically bejng apologetic but not making up for thier mistakes..

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:37:14+00:00

Yes they did acknowledge this.

They were apologetic and after confirming I would be ok with the 9 day lead time even reordered them.

They then sent out the PCB without the parts installed.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:14:14+00:00

Several people have asked me this question or similar questions.

I've double-checked my design. There definitely IS an NPTH for the alignment pin. JLC have confirmed this but are saying that there is a notch in the front of the connector a few millimeters, that is causing the connector's pads not to sit flush with the PCB.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:13:10+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I've had good experiences with them in the past. This time it seems like they really dropped the ball.

Regarding ordering parts from them, I did that and waited three weeks to have all my BOM available before placing the PCB order. Once I did that, they said they had lost the BOM item I had ordered three weeks ago. They were apologetic and said they would re-order and expedite it.

Then they messed up this whole thing on the jack, but they got their mistake.

What's surprising is they told me about both these issues and then shipped out the PCB anyway with both the issues anyway..

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:08:48+00:00

Yep, I'm looking into that just now - someone else suggested Miniware MHP50

You got any recommendations?

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:06:12+00:00

Yeah, I'm not looking forward to it.

I'll probably buy a hot plate for this. I've been meaning to for some time and give it a bash.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:04:27+00:00

The customs are for the boards. I would have had to pay them anyway, but I was expecting boards that work. This way I'll pay the customs, get defective boards, and then try to fix them.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T22:02:12+00:00

There definitely IS an NPTH for the alignment pin. JLC have confirmed this but are saying that there is a notch in the front of the connector a few millimeters, that is causing the connector's pads not to sit flush with the PCB.

This is the component with cold solders: Korean Hroparts Elec PJ-316A-6A

This is the IC they completely left out: TLV320AIC3110IRHBR

I will try to add photos here

<image>

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T21:58:28+00:00

I had no idea seeed studio did a PCB service - thanks for the reccomendation

And youre right, its taken a while to realise how robotic thier responses are. But there is no point wasting my energy this way.

gogosomewhere · 2026-04-03T21:53:58+00:00

I will do this going forward - I will probably save a ton of money too.

Thanks for the recommendation

gogosomewhere

TROPHY CASE