High-Tech PCB Reverse Engineering Serices PCB Clone & IC Unlock
Shenzhen · since 2010

Send one board. Get Gerber, BOM and the schematic back.

PCB copy and PCB reverse engineering from 1 to 32 layers, with a prototype we have already built and tested. If the MCU on the board is locked, we read that out too.

  • PCB copy, from$150
  • Board layers handled1-32 layers
  • Chips in our unlock database5000+ models
  • If it cannot be doneYou pay nothing
Chip feasibility check db 5000+
> ready > 5000+ models indexed: STM32, PIC, AVR, STC, MSP430, GD32, Nuvoton... > awaiting input

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16 years reverse engineering 20,000+ boards delivered NDA before you ship anything Reply within 24 hours

What Is a PCB Copy Service?

A PCB copy service takes a physical circuit board you own and produces the complete manufacturing file set — Gerber data, bill of materials (BOM), schematic diagram, and centroid/pick-and-place coordinates — so the board can be remanufactured at any qualified PCB fabricator and assembler. You send the board; you receive production-ready output. No original design files required.

Our engineers work from the bare or populated board itself. Using high-resolution optical scanning, X-ray imaging for inner layers, and manual probing for net verification, we reconstruct every copper layer, drill file, soldermask opening, and silkscreen marking. The result is a file package that a fab house treats identically to one exported from the original CAD tool.

Why Would You Need a PCB Copy Service?

pcb copy service: Engineer scanning a populated PCB for reverse engineering file extraction

Boards outlive the companies, engineers, and CAD archives that created them. When you need more units — or need to modify a proven design — and the source files are gone, a PCB copy service is the fastest path back to production. Common triggers include:

  • Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) discontinued the board — spare parts dry up, but your machines still depend on it. Obsolete PCB recovery restores the file set so you control your own supply chain.
  • Design files lost or corrupted — hard-drive failures, company acquisitions, and retired engineers erase institutional knowledge. Losing the schematic doesn’t mean losing the design.
  • Second-source or cost-reduction reorders — you own the IP but the original contract manufacturer won’t release Gerbers. A copy service gives you vendor independence.
  • Design improvement baseline — copying the current board into editable CAD first, then modifying, is often cheaper and faster than a clean-sheet redesign.
  • Failure analysis and archiving — documenting a field-return board’s exact layout helps root-cause intermittent faults and preserves institutional knowledge.

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, this breakdown of eight real-world scenarios covers the most frequent cases we handle.

What Our PCB Copy Service Delivers

Deliverable Format What It Covers
Gerber file set RS-274X (Gerber X2 on request) Every copper layer, soldermask, paste stencil, silkscreen, board outline, drill files (Excellon)
Bill of materials Excel / CSV Reference designator, value, package, manufacturer part number (where readable), quantity
Schematic diagram PDF + editable source (Altium / KiCad / OrCAD) Full netlist-verified circuit diagram with hierarchical sheets for complex boards
Centroid / pick-and-place CSV X-Y coordinates, rotation, side — ready for SMT assembly
Stackup specification PDF drawing Layer order, dielectric thickness, copper weight, impedance targets (if controlled)
Editable PCB source Altium .PcbDoc / KiCad .kicad_pcb Fully routed layout you can open, modify, and re-export

Every file set undergoes a design-rule check (DRC) and a netlist-versus-schematic (ERC) cross-check before release. Our quality guarantee covers dimensional accuracy to ±0.05 mm trace position and ±0.025 mm drill placement — tight enough that the copy is functionally interchangeable with the original.

How the PCB Copy Process Works

Step 1 — You Ship the Board

Send one working sample (preferred) or even a damaged unit. We accept bare boards and fully populated assemblies. Not sure what to include? Our guide on what to send for a quote covers photos, notes, and packaging tips.

Step 2 — Layer Imaging and Delamination

Single- and double-sided boards are scanned optically at 2400 dpi or higher. For multilayer boards, we use X-ray inspection to map inner-layer copper, followed by controlled chemical delamination to expose and photograph each layer individually. A multilayer copy adds complexity — but not uncertainty — when proper cross-sectioning confirms the stackup.

Step 3 — CAD Reconstruction

Scanned images are imported into our CAD environment and traced into vector geometry. Pad shapes, trace widths, via types, and clearances are matched to the physical board. Component footprints are verified against manufacturer datasheets. Nets are extracted and validated.

Step 4 — Schematic Extraction

Our engineers read the netlist and reconstruct the schematic, grouping circuits by function — power supply, signal conditioning, digital logic, I/O connectors. This step catches design intent that a Gerber set alone cannot convey, and it gives you an editable baseline for future modifications.

Step 5 — Verification and DRC

We run automated DRC against IPC-2221 Class 2 (or Class 3 if specified), compare the netlist against the physical board a second time, and flag any discrepancies. Impedance-controlled traces are modeled against the measured stackup to confirm target impedance within ±10%.

Step 6 — File Delivery

You receive a zipped file package via encrypted link. Typical turnaround: 5–10 working days for a standard 2–4 layer board. Rush service (3 working days) is available. Complex boards — 8+ layers, HDI microvias, rigid-flex — may require 10–15 working days. Our turnaround time page breaks down what drives the schedule.

What Board Types Can Be Copied?

Board Type Layer Count Typical Accuracy Notes
Single-sided FR-4 1 ±0.03 mm Fastest turnaround; usually 3 working days
Double-sided FR-4 2 ±0.04 mm Through-hole and SMD; standard process
4-layer stackup 4 ±0.05 mm 4-layer boards require X-ray + delamination
6–8 layer 6–8 ±0.05 mm Impedance modeling included for controlled pairs
10–16 layer HDI 10–16 ±0.06 mm Microvia stacking verified by cross-section
Rigid-flex 2–8 ±0.06 mm Bend zones and polyimide layers documented separately
Metal-core / IMS 1–2 ±0.04 mm Thermal pad geometry and dielectric thickness captured
Ceramic substrate (Al₂O₃) 1–2 ±0.08 mm Thick-film conductor widths require special imaging

What About Boards With Locked Microcontrollers?

Copying the PCB layout is independent of firmware. We deliver the bare board files regardless of whether an MCU is read-protected. If you also need the firmware recovered from a locked chip you own, that is a separate IC readout service requiring proof of IP ownership and an NDA. Our legitimate use policy explains the authorization steps we follow.

Accuracy: How Close Is a Copy?

A properly executed PCB copy is not an approximation — it is a dimensional reproduction. Our target is ±0.05 mm on trace position and ±0.025 mm on drill center, which falls well within IPC-2221 Class 2 manufacturing tolerances. Impedance-controlled differential pairs are modeled to hit ±10% of the original target, verified against the measured dielectric and copper thickness.

Where do copies diverge from originals? Typically in three areas: non-functional cosmetic silkscreen (logos, date codes), proprietary component markings that require cross-referencing, and very fine BGA escape routing under 3 mil trace/space where optical resolution limits apply. We document every such deviation in a discrepancy report delivered alongside the files.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering a PCB Copy

PCB copy deliverables including Gerber printout, schematic, and BOM next to the original board

We have seen hundreds of copy projects. The ones that stall share a few recurring problems:

  • Sending a board with components removed — we need the populated assembly to identify parts and verify nets. Bare boards alone yield Gerbers but not a reliable BOM or schematic.
  • Expecting firmware in the file package — layout copying and firmware readout are separate services with different legal and technical requirements.
  • Skipping the impedance spec — if the original board ran controlled-impedance traces and you don’t tell us, the copy may not match electrically even if it matches geometrically.
  • Not mentioning modifications you want — tell us before we start. Changing a connector footprint or adding test points mid-project costs less than rework after file delivery.

Our detailed guide to PCB copy mistakes covers more pitfalls and how to sidestep them.

Pricing Signals

Every board is different, so we quote per-project after evaluating complexity. Rough ranges for reference:

  • 1–2 layer, simple (≤100 components): $300–$800
  • 4-layer, moderate (100–400 components): $800–$2,000
  • 6–8 layer, complex (400+ components, BGA): $2,000–$5,000
  • 10+ layer HDI or rigid-flex: quoted individually; typically $4,000–$10,000+

Schematic extraction adds 30–50% to the base Gerber-only price. Rush turnaround adds 25–40%. These are starting points — the fastest way to get an exact number is to request a quote with photos and a brief description.

Who Uses Our PCB Copy Service

Our clients span industrial maintenance teams keeping 20-year-old CNC controllers alive, medical-device companies needing a second-source for a legacy patient monitor board, defense contractors archiving designs before a subcontractor shuts down, and startups acquiring a competitor’s discontinued product line (with proper IP ownership). The common thread: they own the board, they need the files, and the original source is unavailable.

Confidentiality and Data Security

Every project is covered by a mutual NDA. Files are stored on encrypted servers with access limited to the assigned engineering team. Boards are returned or securely disposed of per your instruction after project completion. We never reuse, resell, or publish client designs.

Frequently Asked Questions About PCB Copy Service

Do you need the original schematic to copy a board?

No. Our PCB copy service works from the physical board alone. We reconstruct the schematic by tracing the netlist from the copper layers and identifying each component. Having an existing schematic speeds things up but is never a prerequisite.

Can a damaged or partially burnt board be copied?

In most cases, yes. If at least 80–90% of the copper and components are intact, we can reconstruct the missing sections by analyzing circuit symmetry, reference designator sequences, and datasheet-typical application circuits. Severely carbonized areas may require X-ray to recover inner-layer routing. Success depends on damage extent — we assess feasibility before quoting.

How do I know the copy will actually work in production?

Every file set passes DRC and ERC checks against IPC standards. We provide a discrepancy report noting any deviation from the original. Most clients order a prototype run of 5–10 boards first to validate fit and function before committing to volume. Our quality guarantee covers re-work if a manufacturing error traces back to our files.

Is it legal to copy a PCB?

Copying a board you own — for maintenance, second-sourcing, or archiving — is a standard engineering practice. We require proof of ownership or authorization before starting work and decline projects that involve copying third-party IP without consent. Our legitimate use policy details the criteria we apply to every incoming request.

Can you copy a board from photographs alone?

High-resolution photos of both sides can yield a usable outer-layer Gerber for single- and double-sided boards, but accuracy drops compared to working from the physical board. Inner layers of multilayer boards cannot be imaged from photos. We recommend shipping the board whenever possible for the best result.

Related Resources

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Main service

PCB copy, from one board to a fab-ready file set

Most projects start with a single physical board and no files anywhere in the company. This is the service that fixes that, and it is what we do most of.

PCB board cloning samples: copper layer, solder mask and populated boards
PCB copy · board cloning

1 to 32 layers, including the boards other shops send back

Blind and buried vias, laser microvia HDI, RF microstrip, ceramic and flex substrates, fine pitch BGA. Every net is checked electrically against your sample, then a prototype is built and tested before any file leaves the building.

  • You receiveGerber, BOM, PCB source, placement
  • ProofWorking prototype, flying probe report
  • 1-2 layer, from$150
  • 4-6 layer, from$280
  • 8-10 layer, from$550
  • 10+ layer, HDI, RF, from$1,100
Also from the same engineering team

When a copy alone will not bring the machine back

Second service

IC unlock, IC crack and chip decipher

Protected MCU, ARM, CPLD and FPGA parts read out through software attack, fault injection, side channel analysis or invasive microprobing, whichever the die calls for. Our database covers 5000+ models.

  • 8051, STC, Holtek, from$220
  • STM32 F0 / F1 / F3, from$700
  • ARM, Renesas, Infineon, from$2,000
You receive: Bin + Hex file, 2 programmed chips
See the IC unlock service
Third service

PCB reverse engineering

Schematic recovery for boards you need to change, not just repeat. Netlist extraction verified connection by connection, every part identified with a real manufacturer number, and editable source your own engineers can open.

  • Schematic + BOM, from$400
  • Prototype build and test, from$600
  • Typical lead time7-15 days
You receive: schematic, netlist, BOM with MPN, source files
See what gets recovered
Reverse engineering deliverables

Exactly what lands in your inbox

Ask any supplier this before you pay a deposit. Here is our answer in file formats, not adjectives.

  • GerberRS-274X, fab ready
  • PCB sourceAltium / PADS / Cadence
  • SchematicPDF + editable source
  • NetlistEvery connection, verified
  • BOMWith manufacturer part numbers
  • PlacementPick and place / coordinates
  • FirmwareBin and Hex
  • Samples2 programmed chips
  • Obsolescence notesDead parts and what replaces them
  • VerificationFlying probe + test report
Price and lead time

Published starting prices, so you can budget before you call

Service From Lead time
PCB copy — 1-2 layer $150 3-5 days
PCB copy — 4-6 layer $280 7-12 days
PCB copy — 8-10 layer $550 10-14 days
PCB copy — 10+ layer, HDI, RF, ceramic $1,100 12-15 days
Reverse engineering — schematic + BOM $400 7-15 days
IC unlock — 8051, STC, AT89, Holtek $220 2-4 days
IC unlock — STM32 F0 / F1 / F3 $700 3-5 days
IC unlock — ARM, Kinetis, Renesas, Infineon $2,000 7-15 days

Final price follows layer count, component density and chip package. Send a photo and you get the real number the same working day.

How a project runs

Four steps, and you can stop after any of them

  1. Free feasibility check

    Send photos of the board or the chip marking. Within 24 hours you know whether it can be done, how long, and what it costs.

  2. NDA, then ship the sample

    We sign first, you ship second. Courier details and our full registered address go to you in writing.

  3. Engineering and your test

    We copy the board, recover the schematic or read out the chip, then send samples. The balance is due after your own test passes.

  4. Files, and production if wanted

    Full file package delivered. SMT assembly, X-ray BGA inspection and flying probe testing are in house if you need boards built.

Where the risk sits

If we cannot do it, you pay nothing

Sending a board to a supplier on the other side of the world is a real risk. These five terms move most of it onto us, and they are in the quote you receive, not only on this page.

  • Feasibility assessed free, before you commit
  • 50% deposit, balance only after your test passes
  • Full refund if the sample boards or chips fail your test
  • NDA signed before anything ships
  • Your files are never reused, resold or shown
Recent work

Three boards, three reasons the original files were gone

6-layer industrial control board, immersion gold

6-layer industrial control board, immersion gold

  • Layers6
  • Parts480
  • Lead time11 days

The MCU vendor had gone out of business and the plant had two spare boards left. Firmware extracted, board cloned, line back in production.

Read the case
Medical instrument main board, obsolete ARM

Medical instrument main board, obsolete ARM

  • Layers8
  • Parts610
  • Lead time14 days

Service contract required 10 more years of spares. Schematic recovered so the customer could redesign around a part still in production.

Read the case
RF board, high frequency substrate

RF board, high frequency substrate

  • Layers4
  • Parts95
  • Lead time9 days

Impedance-controlled traces measured and rebuilt, then verified on a real board before the files were handed over.

Read the case
Capability

Boards other shops send back

Blind and buried vias, laser microvia HDI, RF and microstrip, ceramic substrate, high component density, EMC-critical telecom boards, 1 to 32 layers.

In-house SMT lines, X-ray BGA inspection and flying probe testing mean the file you receive has already been proven on a physical board, not only on screen.

  • Minimum trace / space3 mil
  • Via typesThrough, blind, buried
  • SubstratesFR-4, Rogers, ceramic, flex
  • InspectionX-ray BGA, AOI, flying probe
  • Package types read outDIP, SOP, QFP, QFN, BGA
Before you send an enquiry

Five questions we answer every day

Gerber files ready for any fab, a BOM with real manufacturer part numbers, placement data, the PCB source file, and a prototype we have already built and tested against your sample. Boards from 1 to 32 layers, starting at $150.

A copy reproduces the board exactly as it is and is faster and cheaper. Reverse engineering recovers the schematic so you can change something, which is what you need when a part has gone obsolete. Tell us the goal and we will say which one actually fits.

Our unlock database covers 5000+ models, and 126 of them across 28 families are published on the chip list page. If yours is not listed it usually still works, we just have not published it. Send the marking and the check is free.

You pay nothing. The feasibility check costs nothing and any deposit is returned in full. We say so early rather than late.

We sign an NDA before you ship. Files are returned or deleted on request after delivery, and nothing goes into a portfolio without written permission.

All questions

From the workshop

Notes on chips, boards and obsolete parts

Get a quote

Tell us what you are holding

Two photos of the board, or a chip marking, is enough to start. You get feasibility, lead time and price back within 24 hours, with no obligation to go further.

  • EmailJudy@4pcba.com
  • WhatsApp+8613600427328
  • HoursHigh-Tech PCB Reverse Engineering Serices

A clear photo of the marking usually removes one round of questions.

Judy answers personally, High-Tech PCB Reverse Engineering Serices. NDA available before you send any file.

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