PCB low volume production

[skimask]

I use www.pcbexpress.com, panelize the pcbs onto a big sheet, then cut them up myself. And the best thing (IMO) is that they take raw Protel .PCB files so I don't have to mess with getting the correct gerber format.

[malc-c]

Olimex are Ok for hobby boards. Last time I used them they charged $35 for a standard Eurocard SS fibre 1.5mm board, incl cutting, silk screen and solder mask. I was able to get 10 interface boards out of this, but the quality was not what i would call "retail" quality.

[khoog]

I used EzPCB (www.ezpcb.com) last year. They made 10 boards for me. Excellent quality and great service at about half the cost of local board shops.

I believe they have a quoting calculator on their site. Just enter your specs, and it will generate a quote for you.

If you're looking for low volume from China, I would highly recommend them.

[earltyso]

I personally use expresspcb.com, (american made) you get excellent freeware to use and no complicated data sending. I have also use Protel and Eagle layout software but I have found the expresspcb software more than sufficient for all my hobby/ buisness projects. I have used them for 3 years now and love their work! You can see some of the boards I have made through them at my website,

www.tyscustomelectronics.com

good luck

[dhouston]

I've used PCBCart and EZPCB. Quality is excellent from each. PCBCart prices are the best and they offer color options. EZPCB will also do assembly if you need it.

[falingtrea]

I've heard a lot of good things about BatchPCB. Price and turn-around time are pretty reasonable.

[duncan303]

Hi Chuck

you got me checking my boardhouse list and techbridge is not there, can't quite work out if they are just a pooling company but I guess they are. Also having difficulty getting your board spec to hit anywhere near 131 ex vat qty 100 using the online quoting facility. Probably just me though

I have used various pooling agents in the past and for some reason I like to know a little where my boards are going.

I think the only real test would be to have sample boards made up to the same spec and have them sent off to each boardhouse, but then it seems a little pedantic although it is surprising the differrence in quality that can be obtained even at the same apparent spec.

I have ended up mostly using www.eurocircuits.com based in Belgium, plant in Yugoslavia. first class quality and service I understand you can even watch your board actually being produced as a gimmick(although I havn't done). I prefer panellisation and I have found that a lot of pooling agents don't like that. I am not aware of any other major PCB boardhouse with an actual production unit in the UK other than those around Newbury in Bucks. Obvoiusly the States has a totally differrent factory base. It is difficult to answer a question on the forum sometimes, especially when somebody says "where can I get so and so cheap" but do not say that they are based in timbukto. International freight can easily outweigh any savings, consideration for import tax and local taxes sometimes get ignored as well. Shipping costs are going to go up! (my prediction)



Anyway for simple double sided small boards, these can always be made up at the kitchen sink in a couple of minutes, I always use gound planes anyway, but it also means much less to etch, also just keep the tin plating compound away from the cat; good quality drill bits I use M A Ford twisters (pays in the long run) and Harwin Track pins for the TH vias (very quick) double up as test points(on any board) and as an added bonus scope tips that do not look end up looking like a pigs tail. (or anything else for that matter).

just another useless ramble, tagged onto somebody elses thread

Duncan