For simple designs I test out I'm trying to find a quick PCB prototyping service. These PCBs are either single-sided or double-sided, usually 5 in x 6in or less. I'm tired of toner transfer failure or messing with UV.
I know of run.to/pcb (Olimex) and PCB Pool but since those guys operate out of EU the shipping charges are quite high.
Anyone know of a service with-in the US that can deliver PCBs in under 2 weeks with no-minimum (i.e. Advanced Circuits) and doesn't ship their boards to China (SparkFun) and can make them around ~$35ish?
At TT mentioned, PCB Express has fans around here. I've used them successfully for prototypes. Note: I'm usually "the software guy" on the team; the protos were for some double-sided proof of concept interfaces I laid out in Kicad, so if *I* can do it, etc.
Alberta (APC) is also well thought of. There will be shipping & brokerage fees you'll need to consider.
If you're not in a rush, there are several places that you can go where your boards are panelized with other orders to achieve a lower overall cost. Sparkfun is a hobby/enthusiast/geek site that also offers a pooling service. Downside is a longer wait time.
WRT toner transfer -- if you still want to try it and you've been using a clothes iron, try a run using Press-n-Peel and a hot roller laminator. I've seen (but can't seem to find now) a site that compared various laminators. IIRC, the GBC brand was preferred. I do my own runs with a modified GBC H200 on 0.032" stock (easy to cut with a paper cutter) and get pretty good results. YMMV
with prototypes for about $15 each, for a 10 square inch board 2 layer in 5 days.
They also have a bare bones offer:
======================================================================================== What is it?: Our "Bare Bones PCBs" promotion is for simple 2 layer PCBs that do not have Solder Mask or Legend. Such PCBs may be useful when you have very simple applications for your PCB, and you are hand-soldering simple devices to your board.
Pricing: Our pricing for "Bare Bones PCBs" is based on the total square inches that your boards cover. There is a Lot Charge of $40 PLUS we add 60 cents per square inch. Example: For 10 pieces of a 2 X 2 PCB, total area is (2X2)X10 = 40 sq inches. The calculated price for this order is $40 + $0.60*40 =$64 (or $6.40 per pcb)
But for quantity pricing, you can't beat the Chinese. I got 108 pieces of a
1" x 2.5" board, including setup, testing, and shipping, for about $150. You can use their on-line calculator to get a quote. I received my boards in 8 days after I placed the order. The only problem was that I had requested 2 oz copper, and my voltage drop measurement showed 1 oz, but they said they would fix that on a future order.
The confirming invoice clearly said 2 oz. I had selected it from a drop-down selector. Here's their response to my inquiry:
"I am so sorry for the problem, but i wish your understand that normally the finished boards are with copepr weight 1.5-1.6oz if ordered as 2oz, as the material base copper weight is 1.0oz and after plating, the finished board is with copper thickness 1.5-1.6oz, but 1oz seems impossible."
"We will arrange prodution use material base copper weight 2oz for your future 2oz orders, that the finished boards should with copper weight about
2.5oz."
"For discount, we consider to give you 20% discount of board cost, please send me email with your new order number when submit it."
One of the hidden costs of doing business with China, I suppose...
If that had been an American outfit, I'm sure they wouldn't just say "For discount, we consider to give you [sic] 20% discount of board cost, please send me email with your new order number when submit it."
If I were not going to change the artwork, I could probably demand a full refund or rework at no charge. But I need to make a few changes, so their offer is pretty good. And I can probably use at least some of the boards I got.
If I had used a stateside company like
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the cost would have been about a thousand dollars.
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