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Printed circuit boards for good cheap prices. — Parallax Forums

Printed circuit boards for good cheap prices.

LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
edited 2012-04-16 03:28 in General Discussion
Hi,
I tried to use a Taiwanese outfit and they wanted about $350USD start up costs. So I ended up taking this Guandong company out of a classified in Nuts and Volts. It has been a while since I used them, but their prices were very competative and they have delivery direct to the USA. Payment is via a USA Paypal.

http://www.wwteq.com/

They took my data from Eagle CAD, verified it and adapted to whatever machines they have. Everything was double checked before it went into production and arrived exactly the way I wanted in a small run of 25 boards.

Comments

  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2012-04-13 07:31
    Can you specify the board dims, and if you ordered each board as a separate board or a panel that you cut down?
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-04-13 07:36
    It my case, I ordered 25 boards separate that were about 2 1/4 inches by 3 inches, double-sided for DIPs at a cost of about $125USD total cost. We had a week delay as I didn't know how to reply to their query about verification, but I was in not rush. I don't think it is wise to try to rush a first order. It is best to learn how to communicate with them as they do want to get things right.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2012-04-13 08:21
    I've used this outfit in Shenzhen for three lots of boards:

    http://iteadstudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19_20&zenid=qa08tp07o8bn54mjpo155e5o16

    They don't actually make the boards. A similar company, Seeed Studio, uses the same manufacturer and their prices are about the same. They seem to take longer, though.

    The quality isn't outstanding, but I don't know of anyone cheaper. They take about 12 days to arrive here in the UK, after placing the order. Most of that is the post, they typically get manufactured in three days.
  • pedwardpedward Posts: 1,642
    edited 2012-04-13 13:10
    itead is cheap, but I haven't seen what I would consider good quality from any of the boards people have posted pics of. I see low quality silkscreen and often the holes are not centered on the pads. Having used CNC machines a lot, I can only assume their drills have backlash in their mechanisms, which shows up as holes that aren't centered on pads.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2012-04-13 13:33
    You get what you pay for, the quality is adequate.

    If I want high-quality boards I use PCB Pool, but they cost a lot more.
  • pedwardpedward Posts: 1,642
    edited 2012-04-13 14:55
    I'm using Dorkbot PDX, the quality is superb, and it's cheap. Turn is 2 weeks, about the same as China. They are made here and have ENIG plating on the pads.
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,709
    edited 2012-04-13 16:48
    I like silvercircuits.com. Founded in Iowa and production in Malaysia

    Their proto service is qty 4, 4"x6.3" boards for $72. They usually send you qty 5 panels.

    You can have smaller boards panellized for 50c extra per board. So 16 boards 2"x3.15" would be $93; 24 for $117 + $15 shipping

    Turnaround is 5WD + 2 days shipping via UPS. Great quality and reliable. Small 26 mil vias with 12 mil holes. Have done about a dozen protos through them without issue.

    If you ask they will send out free samples, which happen to be QFP44 breakouts suitable for use the the propeller.


    Laen's PCBorder @ DorkBotPDX is a wonderful service too, if you can wait that little bit longer. For 4 layer proto its unbeatable
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2012-04-13 19:48
    ++ Dorkbot
  • salessales Posts: 2
    edited 2012-04-15 19:34
    Leon wrote: »
    You get what you pay for, the quality is adequate.

    If I want high-quality boards I use PCB Pool, but they cost a lot more.

    totally agreed with you. People can't get PCBs in class#3 level(high reliability) paid at the price for class#1.
    BTW, PCBs needed here are NOT for military level. Am I right?

    Judy
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2012-04-16 03:28
    At $1 each for 10 5 cm x 5 cm boards, I can't see many people complaining.
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