Maker Pro
Maker Pro

Fast, low cost PCB fab

P

P E Schoen

"Harry D" wrote in message
No, old age dims the perception!
I'm thinking that if a skilled PCB layout tech had the software and time,
he could get a PCB router for cheap, spend time on it to improve his
skills then sell his service. My job with 16 SM parts (0805 + SOT23-5)
could be layout in a few hours and rout in a few hours. At $100 a crack he
is making minimum wage in some cabin in Minnesota, and no 1099s.

I don't think it is reasonable to get such a job done for $100 if it
includes layout from schematic. You would need to specify where the parts go
and the exact footprints and trace widths such, and by the time you do all
that you might just as well just do it yourself. Once you have the gerbers
or a camera-ready hard copy (or PDF), you can get the boards made for maybe
$50 or so:

http://e-teknet.com/PCB Promotion.htm

I have also dealt with a small prototype guy who made single and double
sided boards but no PTH, but it's easy enough for a prototype to use
thru-hole components or solder wires for vias. Or just drill and etch the
boards yourself.

BTW, if your boards are as simple as you say, once I had the schematic in
PADS with parts already in my library, it would probably take no more than
an hour to layout and route.

Paul
 
P

P E Schoen

I have also dealt with a small prototype guy who made single and double
sided boards but no PTH, but it's easy enough for a prototype to use
thru-hole components or solder wires for vias. Or just drill and etch the
boards yourself.

Here is the information for him:

Basically, we take the artwork or pdf file you send, make a film, expose,
etch, drill and tin plate the left copper.

Since we specialize in prototypes, even 1 board, short runs, and small
quantities, with 2-3 day service,discounts are not available.

Single sided boards are 69 cents per square inch plus 2 cents per hole for
drilling.

Double sided boards without plated thru holes are 99 cents per square inch
plus 2 cents for drilling.

There is a first time photo charge of $6.00 for orders of single sided, and
$9.00 for double sided, for making the film.

Plated thru holes, silk screening, and solder masking are not available.

Material is FR4 glass epoxy, 1/16, oz copper, electroless tin plated.

Limit trace width and spacing to .020

Send a drill guide along with the artwork.

Atlas Circuits
Richard Allran
e mail: [email protected]

I've dealt with him for at least ten years. I originally found him through
the "Nuts And Volts" magazine. He's in NC near Charlotte.

Paul
 
R

rickman

Here is the information for him:

Basically, we take the artwork or pdf file you send, make a film,
expose, etch, drill and tin plate the left copper.

Since we specialize in prototypes, even 1 board, short runs, and small
quantities, with 2-3 day service,discounts are not available.

Single sided boards are 69 cents per square inch plus 2 cents per hole
for drilling.

Double sided boards without plated thru holes are 99 cents per square
inch plus 2 cents for drilling.

There is a first time photo charge of $6.00 for orders of single sided,
and $9.00 for double sided, for making the film.

Plated thru holes, silk screening, and solder masking are not available.

Material is FR4 glass epoxy, 1/16, oz copper, electroless tin plated.

Limit trace width and spacing to .020

Send a drill guide along with the artwork.

Atlas Circuits
Richard Allran
e mail: [email protected]

I've dealt with him for at least ten years. I originally found him
through the "Nuts And Volts" magazine. He's in NC near Charlotte.

Paul

Doesn't sound too bad except for the 20 mil trace and space limitation.
I can't remember the last time I did a board that used 20 mil traces.
For many of the parts I use that is the pin pitch! I guess this is ok
for DIP technology.
 
U

Uwe Hercksen

Harry said:
There must be a better way to fab 2 layer PCBs at low cost, quickly.
I have no time but need PCBs quickly. It has <15 SM parts including three SOT23-5. I would love to hand off a schematic an $100 and receive three 1.00" x 1.00" x 0.063" PCB in less than four days. All parameters are negotiable. This is for prototyping so workmanship is not critical. I would have to approve the layout before fab.
With 3D printers,routers and chemicals, someone must have a viable solution.

Hello,

a 2D printer will do for a two dimensional layout if the resolution is
suitable for the trace width.

Bye
 
Y

Yzordderrex

www.expresspcb.com

3 boards - double side plate through no silk. You will have 3 boards in 3 days for 51 bucks. They ship back two day. You use their software and one click sends files to their fab house.

I've been using these guys for over 10 years now. Every design ee should be familiar with some kind of inexpensive quick turn prototype house. Thereare many out there that accept gerbers. This particular vendor has the schema capture software and it is linked to layout package for rats nest.
 
P

petrus bitbyter

"Yzordderrex" <[email protected]> schreef in bericht

There must be a better way to fab 2 layer PCBs at low cost, quickly.

I have no time but need PCBs quickly. It has <15 SM parts including three
SOT23-5. I would love to hand off a schematic an $100 and receive three
1.00" x 1.00" x 0.063" PCB in less than four days. All parameters are
negotiable. This is for prototyping so workmanship is not critical. I
would have to approve the layout before fab.

With 3D printers,routers and chemicals, someone must have a viable
solution.

Who can do this?

Ciao, Harry

| www.expresspcb.com
|
| 3 boards - double side plate through no silk. You will have 3 boards in 3
days for 51 bucks. They ship
| back two day. You use their software and one click sends files to their
fab house.
|
| I've been using these guys for over 10 years now. Every design ee should
be familiar with some kind of
| inexpensive quick turn prototype house. There are many out there that
accept gerbers. This particular
| vendor has the schema capture software and it is linked to layout package
for rats nest.

Well, if someone was willing to port the schematic to expresspcb, then
design the PCB and send the files to the fab house the same day, all for
under $50,- he'd had the PCB's for $100,- in four days. But so far no one
accepted the challenge. Nevertheless, if you want to you can find an example
of the PCB-design on ABSE so you only have to port it to to expresspcb an
send it. A pity your some days late. The OPs request is over ten days old
by now :)

petrus bitbyter
 
R

rickman

www.expresspcb.com

3 boards - double side plate through no silk. You will have 3 boards in 3 days for 51 bucks. They ship back two day. You use their software and one click sends files to their fab house.

I've been using these guys for over 10 years now. Every design ee should be familiar with some kind of inexpensive quick turn prototype house. There are many out there that accept gerbers. This particular vendor has the schema capture software and it is linked to layout package for rats nest.

What are you talking about "There are many out there that accept
gerbers"? Did you mean there aren't many out there that DON'T accept
Gerbers? Everyone accepts Gerber files.

Or are you saying they don't give you the same rate if you don't use
their software? In that case, they can take a hike! I'm not laying out
the same board twice if I don't want to stay with them or make revs
before going to someone else for production.
 
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