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Question

Jason WilliamsJason Williams Posts: 8
edited 2009-12-03 17:04 in Propeller 1
Who is everyone using for PCB board fab (if you have ever had a PCB built)?

Basically, I wanted to know who what fab company you use, turnaround time, best prices, etc.

Also, if you are designing your own PCB's, what software would you recommend (Eagle, PCB Artist, etc).

Thanks,

JW

Comments

  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2009-12-03 05:48
    No doubt you will get a list as long as your arm, so I'll get in first *grin*

    OurPCB in China www.ourpcb.com/
    Eagle for design
    Writeup on the process here www.instructables.com/id/Professional-PCBs-almost-cheaper-than-making-them-/
    Photos of some of the boards www.smarthome.viviti.com/propeller

    I've had many hundreds of boards made. Price for prop sized boards is a fixed cost of sometimes $60 for shipping and setup, but the boards might only be $3-$4 each. So it works well for lots of boards but not so well for 1-3. Turnaround time to Australia is 12-14 days. They check the work too - on the last order I had two ICs overlapping slightly and their engineers picked it from the gerbers and got me to resend the design. That saved me $110. I'm a hobbyist but I kind of figure my real work hourly rate in when building point to point prototypes vs getting PCBs and it is cheaper usually to get boards made. Often I'll add a prototyping area on a board to work on improvements for the next version.

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    www.smarthome.viviti.com/propeller

    Post Edited (Dr_Acula) : 12/3/2009 5:58:52 AM GMT
  • Clock LoopClock Loop Posts: 2,069
    edited 2009-12-03 07:04
    PCB Artist is made by advanced circuits.
    But my preference for pcb design would be orcad layout.
    Only because its what I used for years at my last job.


    I submit my circuit designs in gerber format.
    I also use the free DFM check that 4pcb does, in addition to my design software.
    http://www.4pcb.com/index.php?load=content&page_id=74

    I do the $33 each 2 layer deal. Max size 60 sq. inches
    Min quantity order is 4 and they give you 5th pcb free.

    http://www.4pcb.com/index.php?load=content&page_id=130

    This turns out to be $26.40 per pcb.

    Post Edited (Clock Loop) : 12/3/2009 7:17:35 AM GMT
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-12-03 12:12
    PCB Artist is a special version of Easy-PC:

    www.numberone.com

    I used it for about 20 years but now use Pulsonix (same company).

    For double-sided prototypes I often use PCBTrain - 24 hour turnaround for £30 (GBP) but no soldermask or silkscreen. PCB-Pool and Eurocircuits are very good. I make my own single-sided boards at home, it takes about 30 minutes.

    Leon

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  • dMajodMajo Posts: 855
    edited 2009-12-03 14:37
    On an older notebook I have Protel99SE in the newer PC I use AltiumDXP (same product: it only changed the name during upgrades)

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  • KenBashKenBash Posts: 68
    edited 2009-12-03 16:45
    Express PCB isn't as complete as some of the other design packages but their 3 boards for $59 with a three day turn around is hard to beat for quick prototypes if you don't mind doing board assembly yourself. When it was time to do a production run I had to pay extra for the Gerber files, but to do a couple of design iterations to get it right, it's a very cost effective process for a small company or individual. The software is free, the order process is completely automated, and the 3 day turnaround has been great.

    To get a small quantity of boards assembled, I used Screaming Circuits. They were easy to work with and the boards I got back were great. I tried to have a local company do assembly first, but they were doing hand assembly and only 2 of the 10 boards I ordered actually worked on start-up. I suspect that for larger quantities, some of the off-shore assembly houses would be cheaper, but as a newbie to the process of having boards made, Screaming Circuits was really helpful and patient with me in the process of getting all the i's dotted and t's crossed for the assembly. They can even do a 24 hour turn-around. I was pleased with the results.
    www.screamingcircuits.com

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  • heaterheater Posts: 3,370
    edited 2009-12-03 17:04
    In replies to all these questions about schematics capture and PCB design software I never see anyone mention CADSTAR.

    I did a lot of work on the CADSTAR package, as in working with the team at RACAL-REDAC that created it in the south west of England, back in the days when it was a DOS program. Seems it is still alive and well with ZUKEN www.zuken.com/products/cadstar.aspx

    Now I'm sure it's a tad expensive for hobbyists, it was about 10,000 dollars when I worked on it, but seems odd that there are no professionals around who admit to using it.

    Anyone out there using dear old CADSTAR?

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