No they can't be chained... I'm waiting for JJ to agree on all prices... But I would guess that it would cost about the same as fully assembled with chips since the price in my assembly is the same. It takes just 10 to 20 second less for pick and place machine... So I don't think there will be a difference. But it will be a difference if you will not put chips on right. So I would suggest not to do that. But you can if you would like to do it.