PCB Copy in Delhi — How the Remote Workflow Operates
PCB copy in Delhi does not require a local lab. You ship one sample board from anywhere in the NCR region — Nehru Place, Lajpat Nagar, Gurgaon, Noida — and our engineers reverse-engineer it into production-ready output files. The entire process runs under NDA, with DHL or FedEx door-to-door tracking, and typical turnaround lands between 5 and 8 working days for boards up to 6 layers.
This page explains exactly what you receive, how shipping from Delhi works, realistic timelines, capability limits, and cost drivers so you can decide before packing a board.
What Deliverables Does a PCB Copy Produce?
A complete PCB copy project returns a package of digital manufacturing files reconstructed from your physical board. The exact set depends on board complexity and your production needs.
| Deliverable | Format | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Gerber files | RS-274X / Gerber X2 | Every copper layer, solder mask, silkscreen, drill file, board outline |
| Bill of Materials | Excel / CSV | Component values, packages, manufacturer part numbers where readable |
| Schematic | PDF + editable (Altium / KiCad / OrCAD) | Full netlist-verified circuit diagram |
| Pick-and-place file | CSV | XY coordinates, rotation, reference designators for SMT assembly |
| Stackup report | Layer thicknesses, dielectric constants, impedance notes (multilayer boards) | |
| Firmware image (optional) | .bin / .hex | MCU flash readout where chip protection allows — authorization required |
Gerber accuracy targets ±0.5 mil (0.0127 mm) trace/space on standard FR-4 boards. For HDI designs with 3-mil traces or laser-drilled microvias, tolerances tighten and cross-section analysis may be added to the workflow.
Shipping a Board from Delhi — Step by Step
1. Request a Feasibility Check
Upload clear photos of both sides of the board, plus a note on layer count (if known) and what you need — Gerber only, full schematic, or firmware recovery. We reply within one business day with a scope estimate and firm quote.
2. Pack and Ship
Wrap the board in antistatic foam inside a rigid box. Most Delhi clients use DHL Express or FedEx International Priority. Transit from Delhi typically takes 3–4 business days. Declare the board as “electronic sample for engineering analysis, no commercial value” to streamline customs. We provide the consignee details and HS code guidance after quote approval.
3. Board Intake and Imaging
On arrival, our lab photographs every layer under calibrated lighting, runs X-ray inspection for inner-layer via alignment (multilayer boards), and begins high-resolution scanning at 2400 DPI or above.
4. Reverse Engineering
Layer-by-layer extraction proceeds from outer copper inward. Components are cross-referenced against distributor databases to build the BOM. Schematics are drawn net-by-net and verified against a continuity-tested netlist.
5. File Delivery and Board Return
Files are delivered via encrypted link. Your original board is returned to your Delhi address by the same courier. Total door-to-door cycle for a 4-layer board: 8–12 calendar days including shipping both ways.
Check feasibility for your project
Send the chip marking or board details and tell us what you need to recover. Add clear photos if available.
Request a feasibility reviewWhy Delhi Engineers Choose a Remote PCB Copy Service
Delhi’s electronics ecosystem is enormous — from Lajpat Nagar repair markets to Gurgaon’s OEM design houses — yet specialized reverse-engineering labs with X-ray capability and multilayer de-lamination tooling are scarce locally. Outsourcing the copy to a dedicated facility gives you access to equipment that costs upward of ₹2 crore to build in-house.
- No capital outlay: Skip the flying-probe tester, micro-section cutter, and high-res optical scanner.
- NDA-protected IP: Every project runs under a mutual non-disclosure agreement signed before the board ships.
- Production-ready output: Files go straight to any PCB fabricator — no manual cleanup needed.
- Legacy support: Boards from discontinued equipment where the original manufacturer no longer supplies spares or documentation.
Engineers across other regions follow the same remote model. Clients sending boards from the UAE or shipping samples from Kuala Lumpur use an identical workflow — the only variable is courier transit time.
Capability Limits — What We Can and Cannot Copy
| Parameter | Standard Capability | Extended (quote required) |
|---|---|---|
| Layer count | 1–8 layers | 10–24 layers with cross-section |
| Minimum trace/space | 4 mil / 4 mil | 3 mil / 3 mil (HDI) |
| Board size | Up to 400 × 500 mm | Larger panels on request |
| Substrate | FR-4, CEM-3 | Aluminum-core, Rogers, flex-polyimide, rigid-flex |
| BGA / QFN pads | 0.5 mm pitch and above | 0.4 mm pitch with X-ray |
| Blind/buried vias | Identified via X-ray | Microvia stacks mapped per IPC-2226 |
| Firmware readout | Unprotected MCUs | Protected chips — feasibility case-by-case, proof of ownership required |
Boards with heavy conformal coating or potted modules add 1–2 days for chemical removal. Ceramic substrates (LTCC, HTCC) are not supported.
Typical Cost Drivers for PCB Copy in Delhi
Pricing is project-specific, but understanding the main cost drivers helps you budget before requesting a formal quote.
- Layer count: A single-sided board may start around $300 USD. A 6-layer board with BGA packages typically falls in the $800–$1,500 range.
- Component density: Boards with 500+ components require more BOM research time.
- Schematic inclusion: Gerber-only projects cost roughly 40% less than full Gerber + schematic + BOM packages.
- Urgency: A 48-hour rush option is available at a premium for boards up to 4 layers.
- Firmware recovery: Quoted separately, depends on MCU family and protection fuse status.
Shipping cost from Delhi to our lab via DHL Express runs approximately ₹2,500–₹4,000 for a small parcel under 0.5 kg. Return shipping is included in the project fee.
Delhi-Specific Customs and Shipping Notes
India’s customs process for outbound electronic samples is straightforward when documented correctly. Key points for Delhi shippers:
- Use KYC-verified DHL/FedEx accounts to avoid clearance delays at IGI Airport cargo.
- Declare as “used electronic PCB sample for reverse engineering, no commercial value” — customs value ₹500 or actual, whichever is higher.
- No export license is required for standard commercial PCBs. Defence or ITAR-controlled boards are outside our scope.
- GST: outbound courier shipments of samples under LUT (Letter of Undertaking) are zero-rated. Confirm with your CA if you hold an LUT.
The same documentation principles apply to clients arranging PCB copy from Bangkok or sending boards out of Istanbul — local export formalities differ, but the engineering workflow remains identical.
Who Uses PCB Copy Services in Delhi?
Our Delhi-based clients typically fall into four categories:
- Contract manufacturers in Noida/Gurgaon who need to replicate a board after the original design house closed or went unresponsive.
- Medical-device service companies maintaining imported diagnostic equipment where OEM spares are discontinued.
- Industrial automation integrators supporting legacy PLCs and motor drives in NCR factories.
- Startup hardware teams benchmarking competitor products or recovering their own prototype files lost in a vendor transition.
Clients in comparable manufacturing hubs — for example, those coordinating board duplication from São Paulo or requesting PCB copies from Melbourne — face the same legacy-support and file-recovery challenges.
Check feasibility for your project
Send the chip marking or board details and tell us what you need to recover. Add clear photos if available.
Request a feasibility reviewQuality Verification Before You Fabricate
Every file package includes a verification step. We overlay the reconstructed Gerber against high-resolution board scans and flag any ambiguous areas — typically pad shapes under corroded solder or traces obscured by ground planes. You receive a deviation log listing every judgment call our engineer made, so your fabricator knows exactly what to expect.
For critical applications (medical, automotive, aerospace), we recommend ordering a single prototype run and comparing it electrically against the original board before committing to volume. We can supply a test-point map to speed that validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does PCB copy take for a board shipped from Delhi?
Courier transit averages 3–4 business days each way. Engineering time ranges from 3 working days (simple 2-layer board) to 8 working days (8+ layers with dense BGA). Total door-to-door for a typical 4-layer board is 10–14 calendar days.
Can you copy a board if I don’t know the layer count?
Yes. We determine layer count during intake using X-ray imaging and edge inspection. If the actual count exceeds the initial estimate, we update the quote before proceeding — you approve or cancel at no charge.
Is my design safe during shipping and reverse engineering?
We sign a mutual NDA before you ship. Files are stored on encrypted servers with access limited to assigned engineers. The original board is returned after project completion. We do not retain physical samples.
Do you handle boards with conformal coating or potting compound?
Conformal coating (acrylic, silicone, urethane) is chemically removed in-house. Fully potted modules can sometimes be de-potted, but success depends on the compound type. Send photos first — we’ll assess feasibility before you ship.
What if some components are too damaged to identify?
We cross-reference package markings, pin counts, and circuit context against distributor databases. If a part is completely obliterated, we flag it in the BOM as “unidentified” with a recommended equivalent based on circuit function. This happens on roughly 2–5% of components on heavily corroded boards.
Other Regions We Serve
Our remote PCB copy workflow operates worldwide. Engineers in Delhi share the same process as those sending boards from Singapore. Whether you are in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, or beyond, the steps are identical: ship, approve, receive files.
Working on a board like this?
Send the chip marking or two photos. You get feasibility, lead time and price within 24 hours, and the check costs nothing.
Get a free quote