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Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 04:02
by jsrfo
I've designed a dual layer PCB for a project and would like to know where someone can get printed circuit boards done at reasonable costs.

I used a program called Express PCB, and although they have a board service, four boards are $175.00, which is kind of steep for something I don't really know that will work. The circuit it self does work on a breadboard or strip board, but, I'm new to PCB design.

I'd like to see if the layout works, and I'd also like to get a lower per board cost than $43/board, even if it does work.

Thanks

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 04:07
by bajaman

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 08:05
by madbean
http://www.dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/pcb_order

I use this all the time for small runs. $5 per sq. inch and it's very good quality. Laen is a terrific dude!

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 09:11
by Hides-His-Eyes
Only futurlec will build from ExpressPCB files. You should learn some "real" software as soon as you feel up to it (lots of tutorials around for EAGLECAD)

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 20:33
by jsrfo
Yeah, I know. I attempted Eagle, and have it on the computer. But for me, certain types of software aren't intuitive. Eagle reminds me of AutoCad, and I have a hell of a time drawing a line with that type of software. I really will need to learn a more mainstream software, for sure.

Does anyone have a source that will do a conversion from Express PCB to gerber files? I talked to Laen, and he does not do that. Otherwise, I'd gladly use his services. Seems like a good guy.

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 20:46
by Hides-His-Eyes
Nobody's even sure how Futurlec are fabbing with them.

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 20:58
by IvIark
I've ordered from a few places now but the cheapest by far was Futurlec. It took about 3 weeks for my order to arrive, but I'm not impatient and there's always plenty of other things for me to do while I'm waiting.

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 21:34
by culturejam
madbean wrote:http://www.dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/pcb_order

I use this all the time for small runs. $5 per sq. inch and it's very good quality. Laen is a terrific dude!
Shit, Imma check this out. :thumbsup

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 22:40
by Laen
Hides-His-Eyes wrote:Nobody's even sure how Futurlec are fabbing with them.
I researched this a while back, and the general consensus seems to be that that ExpressPCB will let you export to DXF for free, so they do that, then convert DXF to Gerber using some tool (The Googles says that there are some available).

You'd have to do that for each layer of the board:
* Top copper
* Top Silkscreen
* Top Soldermask
* Bottom copper
* Bottom Silkscreen
* Bottom Soldermask
* Drills
* Board outline (though this is probably one one of the other layers)

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 23:16
by Hides-His-Eyes
Hello Laen, you hero of cheap fabbing you. Googling your own name or just tracking your links? ;)

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 22 Apr 2011, 23:59
by culturejam
Hides-His-Eyes wrote:Hello Laen, you hero of cheap fabbing you. Googling your own name or just tracking your links? ;)
Just had some emails with Laen, and he seems like a really cool guy. :thumbsup

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 23 Apr 2011, 01:06
by Laen
Hides-His-Eyes wrote:Hello Laen, you hero of cheap fabbing you. Googling your own name or just tracking your links? ;)
Ha. I'm a modern-day Kibo.

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 23 Apr 2011, 01:30
by RnFR
welcome Mr. Laen! i've actually been to a Dorkbot Chicago meeting. and i might be getting a hold of you for some of those pcbs. :thumbsup

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 23 Apr 2011, 03:04
by culturejam
RnFR wrote:welcome Mr. Laen! i've actually been to a Dorkbot Chicago meeting. and i might be getting a hold of you for some of those pcbs. :thumbsup
This months' deadline is April 25. Get on it!!!

I just submitted three different layouts for short-run fabbing. I'm beyond thrilled at the opportunity to have nice boards made for such an unbelievably low price. I'm getting 15 PCBs total (and that's split among three layouts) for about $65 shipped, which is friggin insane cheap for prototyping. This includes plated through holes, solder mask (both sides), and silk screen (both sides). I don't think 2-sided short runs get any cheaper.

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 23 Apr 2011, 09:11
by Hides-His-Eyes
Honestly, the quality is astonishing. And you get solder mask on both sides!

You can get your layouts so neat when they're double sided too.

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 23 Apr 2011, 11:19
by IvIark
I have a feeling that Mr Laen is going to be quite popular round these parts!

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 24 Apr 2011, 18:48
by culturejam
I thought originally that these were monthly orders. It turns out that they pretty much WEEKLY.

Also, the solder mask is purple!

[smilie=muffin.gif]

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 24 Apr 2011, 19:45
by madbean
Dammit, I shoulda kept my mouth shut. Now the panels are gonna fill up before I can get mine in!

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 24 Apr 2011, 19:50
by culturejam
madbean wrote:Dammit, I shoulda kept my mouth shut. Now the panels are gonna fill up before I can get mine in!
Naw, you'll still get in.

Too bad he's not running this as a pyramid scheme, as you'd be rolling in the dough pretty soon. :lol:

Re: Where can I get PCB's made????

Posted: 25 Apr 2011, 14:36
by DaveKerr
It's about time I get off my ass and learn how to use Eagle - I've been half-assing mods, like hanging voltage invertor vero boards off DC jacks and stuffing multiple leads into oversized holes for heat compensation diodes on Fuzz Face boards. Why not go from breadboard straight to something you're not embarrassed to take the cover off?