JLCPCB ordering tip

[Demon]

Those prices are for each individual circuit. I was careful not to use panel prices and mix apples with oranges. I wanted to get a better idea on batches of 100 instead of small prints.

And I was testing the idea of a single motherboard in the background, instead of wires from MCP23017 to the PICs.

[Demon]

I was checking prices on JLCPCB for a MCP23017 circuit, and I noticed something when I entered their part numbers.

Did you know you can buy parts from other customers when JLCPCB doesn't have enough stock?




I have to do some tests tomorrow (2:30 am here). I'm going to try using all parts at 0 inventory, and see if I get deals.

But this might be an easy way for us peasants to get even better priced components.

[Ioannis]

Regarding passives, like R's and C's, there are millions of brands and types available (but not on stock all the time).

It gives me headache everytime I have to do an assembly by JLCPCB...

But on the other hand, this option is nice. Can you order also from Mouser Digikey etc?

Ioannis

[Demon]

...But on the other hand, this option is nice. Can you order also from Mouser Digikey etc?

Ioannis

Yup, you can pre-buy parts from suppliers by JLCPCB.

Pre-order the required components in advance to ensure sufficient components are ready anytime.

Place a PCBA order with confidence at any time when your design is ready.

I just did a test with intentionally insufficient JLCPCB stock, but the prices were still twice as high, even for headers, resistors and capacitors.

It "might" come in handy for more expensive ICs, I don't have a circuit ready yet with a PIC, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Demon]

If you keep messing up the "comma-separated" file prep like I do (the SAVE feature from Open Office is not smooth), consider using a script if you are I.S. savvy.

This is what I do to prepare PCBs for JLCPCB with parts:

- generate gerbers from PCB editor.
- generate drill files from PCB editor.
- generate component placement file from PCB editor.

- generate BOM from Schematic editor.
- generate CPL from Schematic editor (script downloaded from web).

The CPL script corrects the column names, removes unnecessary columns and overrides Rotation of ICs and Jumpers (you list them in a parameter file). I also tweaked the BOM and CPL scripts to save my files in a subfolder.

The nice thing about this is that I don't have to think. I just generate the files, run the 2 scripts, pass it through JLC once to see what needs to be rotated, edit the parameter file, and generate it again, and it's ready for JLC.

[Demon]

I don't have the same definition of stacked and staggered as JLCPCB.

[Demon]

I was curious to see how compact I could design a circuit to debounce switches, as well as see how much it costs at JLCPCB.

- total of 47 input lines,
- debounced using Bourns technique (10K / 0.1uF),
- Schmitt triggered and inverted (74HC14),
- 16F1946 TQFP-64,
- ICSP,
- driven from a master PIC via USART,
- busy lines to control communication (1 for master, 1 for slaves).

Ended up 158mm wide x 30mm tall (I was thinking of placing them vertically around the enclosure).




Got it priced at JCPCB to know what is the cost associated with assembling a circuit such as this:

5 PCBs, $80CAD + shipping
20 PCBs, $230CAD + shipping