PCB Reverse Engineering in Switzerland — Complete Remote Service
PCB reverse engineering in Switzerland follows a straightforward remote workflow: you ship your board from any Swiss canton via DHL or FedEx, our engineers disassemble, scan, and reconstruct every layer, and you receive production-ready Gerber files, a verified schematic, and a full BOM — typically within 5–8 working days. Every project runs under a bilateral NDA, and Swiss customs classifies sample PCBs under HS 8534.00 with no special import license required.
Why Swiss Companies Need Remote PCB Reverse Engineering
Switzerland’s electronics sector is concentrated in precision instrumentation, medtech, and industrial automation — fields where boards often outlive the original manufacturer’s support window. When an OEM in Zürich or a contract manufacturer in Ticino needs to reproduce a legacy board, local options are limited. Most Swiss EMS houses focus on assembly, not forensic board analysis.
Common scenarios we handle for Swiss clients:
- End-of-life redesign — the original fab closed or the design files were never transferred during an acquisition.
- Second-source qualification — you need Gerber data to quote alternative fabricators while keeping the existing design intact.
- Failure analysis support — a field return requires a full schematic to trace a fault path, but documentation was lost.
- Legacy equipment maintenance — industrial controllers or test rigs running 15–20-year-old boards with no spare inventory.
What Do You Get? Deliverable Formats and Specs
| Deliverable | Format | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gerber files | RS-274X / Gerber X2 | Every copper layer, solder mask, silkscreen, drill file, board outline |
| Schematic | PDF + editable (Altium / KiCad / OrCAD) | Net-verified against PCB layout; hierarchical sheets for complex designs |
| Bill of Materials | Excel / CSV | Manufacturer PN, package, value, designator, cross-references for obsolete parts |
| Pick-and-place data | CSV | XY coordinates, rotation, side — ready for SMT programming |
| Stackup report | Layer order, dielectric thickness, copper weight, impedance notes |
All files are packaged in a single zip archive and delivered via secure download link. If you need native Altium .PcbDoc / .SchDoc, we include those at no extra charge.
How Does the Process Work for Swiss Clients?
Step 1 — Initial Assessment
Send us clear photos (top, bottom, edge profile) and basic specs: approximate layer count, board dimensions, any known ICs. We return a fixed-price quote within 24 hours on business days. No charge, no obligation.
Step 2 — Ship the Board
Pack the PCB in an antistatic bag with foam padding. From Switzerland, DHL Express to Shenzhen typically takes 3–4 business days. Declare the board as “electronic sample for analysis, no commercial value” under HS 8534.00. We can supply a shipping label if needed.
Step 3 — Layer Imaging and Extraction
Our lab de-layers the board using controlled chemical etching and high-resolution optical scanning at 2400 DPI minimum. Each copper layer is photographed, aligned, and vectorized. For boards up to 8 layers, this stage takes 2–3 days. Boards with 10–16 layers or HDI microvias require 4–6 days.
Step 4 — Schematic Reconstruction and BOM
Engineers trace every net, identify component values (including unmarked passives measured in-circuit), and build a hierarchical schematic. The BOM is cross-referenced against current distributor stock so you know immediately which parts need substitution.
Step 5 — Verification and Delivery
We run DRC on the Gerber output and ERC on the schematic, then deliver the full package. You review, we revise — one round of corrections is included in every quote.
Shipping and Customs: Switzerland-Specific Notes
Switzerland is not in the EU but participates in EFTA, so shipments follow a slightly different customs path than EU-origin boards. Key points:
- HS code: 8534.00 (printed circuits) — no export license needed for bare or assembled sample boards.
- Customs value: declare the replacement cost of the board, not the engineering value. A single sample board is typically under CHF 50 declared value.
- Return shipping: we ship finished boards back if requested. Most clients only need the digital files, so no return is necessary.
- Transit time: DHL Express Zürich → Shenzhen averages 3 business days; economy options run 5–7 days.
Engineers across Europe use the same remote workflow. Clients in Belgium and Finland regularly ship boards through an identical process, with the only difference being EU vs. EFTA customs declarations.
What Board Types Can You Handle?
| Board Class | Layer Range | Min Trace/Space | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard FR-4 | 1–6 layers | 6/6 mil (0.15 mm) | 5–7 working days |
| High-density FR-4 | 8–16 layers | 4/4 mil (0.10 mm) | 7–12 working days |
| HDI (microvias) | 8–20 layers | 3/3 mil (0.075 mm) | 10–15 working days |
| Rigid-flex | 4–10 layers | 4/4 mil | 10–14 working days |
| Metal-core / ceramic | 1–4 layers | 6/6 mil | 7–10 working days |
Swiss medtech and instrumentation boards frequently use 8–12 layer stackups with controlled impedance. We measure the physical stackup during de-layering and include impedance notes so your fabricator can replicate the original signal-integrity profile.
Pricing Signals for Swiss Projects
We quote per-project, not per-hour. Ballpark ranges based on recent comparable work:
- 2-layer board, ≤100 components: USD 350–600
- 4-layer board, 200–400 components: USD 800–1,500
- 8-layer board, 500+ components, BGA ICs: USD 2,000–4,500
- 12–16-layer HDI: USD 4,500–9,000+
These ranges cover Gerber + schematic + BOM. Firmware readout, if applicable and authorized, is quoted separately. Every quote is fixed — no surprise add-ons.
Intellectual Property and NDA Workflow
Swiss companies operate under strict IP expectations, and we match that standard. Before any board ships, we execute a bilateral NDA. All project files are stored on encrypted servers, access-logged, and permanently deleted 90 days after delivery unless you request otherwise. We do not retain copies of your design for any purpose.
If your project involves IC firmware recovery, we require written proof of design ownership or authorized-agent status before proceeding. This protects both parties and aligns with responsible engineering practice.
How Does PCB Reverse Engineering in Switzerland Compare to Nearby Markets?
The workflow is identical whether you ship from Geneva, Budapest, or Lisbon — the variable is transit time and customs paperwork. Engineers in Hungary and Portugal follow EU customs rules, while Swiss shipments use the EFTA channel. Turnaround differences are negligible — typically within one business day. Clients in Ireland also use a non-Schengen shipping path similar to Switzerland’s post-Brexit logistics adjustments.
Limitations and Honest Caveats
Not every board is a clean recovery. Situations where results may be partial or delayed:
- Severely corroded or burned boards — if more than 15% of copper is damaged, some nets may require educated reconstruction based on surrounding circuit context. We flag every assumption.
- Potted or conformal-coated assemblies — removal adds 1–3 days and carries a small risk of component damage. We photograph the board before and after.
- Proprietary ASICs with no datasheet — we can map pinouts by tracing, but internal function remains a black box. We document what is observable.
- Flex-only boards with extremely thin substrates — de-layering polyimide below 25 µm requires extra care and may extend turnaround by 2–3 days.
We communicate limitations upfront in the quote so you can make an informed decision before shipping.
Can I ship a populated board from Switzerland without removing components first?
Yes. Ship the board fully assembled. Our engineers handle component removal, measurement, and cataloging as part of the standard process. Removing parts yourself risks damaging traces we need to image.
How do you handle controlled-impedance stackups common in Swiss RF and medtech boards?
During de-layering we measure each dielectric thickness with a micrometer and cross-reference copper weights. The stackup report includes target impedance values so your fabricator can match the original design’s signal-integrity profile within ±10% tolerance.
Is the reverse-engineered Gerber file set directly manufacturable?
Yes. We deliver RS-274X Gerber files, Excellon drill files, and a board outline that any standard PCB fabricator can load into their CAM system. We also run DRC before delivery to catch any rule violations.
What if my board uses obsolete components no longer in production?
The BOM we deliver includes cross-reference suggestions for drop-in replacements where available. For parts with no direct substitute, we note the original specs (package, value, voltage rating) so your engineering team can evaluate alternatives.
Do you offer volume discounts for multiple boards from the same product family?
Yes. When boards share a common platform — for example, a mainboard and a daughter card — shared schematic blocks reduce per-board effort. We quote the set as a package, typically 15–25% below individual pricing.
Ready to recover your board files? Send us photos and specs for a fixed-price quote — most Swiss projects ship Monday and have files by the following week.
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 reviewWorking 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