fast PCB's

[grungymike]

After getting an order for ferric chloride and toner transfer film lost between UPS and USPS, I went web surfing in frustration and stumbled on a site that blew me away.

ExpressPCB is a brand new company that offers free PCB design software
with an integrated schematic program, their own fab cost calculator, and fab service. 3 boards in two days for less than $200? Holy crap! I wish I knew about this place 3 months ago.

Just google expresspcb.

gm

[Carl-NC]

This has been mentioned before, I think someone here may have tried them. You are locked into their software, of course.

I use PCBcart.com, an outfit in China. They are cheap and have really good tech people who speak English. 5 boards (4"x6" 2-layer) in 12 days are $100. For $200 you can get 40 boards.

- Carl

[Max]

After getting an order for ferric chloride and toner transfer film lost between UPS and USPS, I went web surfing in frustration and stumbled on a site that blew me away.

ExpressPCB is a brand new company that offers free PCB design software
with an integrated schematic program, their own fab cost calculator, and fab service. 3 boards in two days for less than $200? Holy crap! I wish I knew about this place 3 months ago.

Just google expresspcb.

gm

Eh ? 200 bucks for 3 boards ?

I can manifacture 200 boards in 3 days for 200$ !

But I don't cause I'm not in this business... electronic stuff is mostly an hobby for me!

Think about 200/3 = 66 usd per board. Usually a board is in the 10x16 cm range, so not that big... and usually boards are maximum double layer in amateur projects.

So what ? A single board say 10x16 cm will cost me 66$?

Ok. I must admit the service is a good thing, expecially for people who need boards fast and don't have time or money or apparatus to make their own at home... yes it's true.

But cost is high. If you think about... a press-and-peel plastic sheet costs around 5$ and has A4 dimensions (21x29 cm about). You then need just an hot iron and copper clad board, FR4 or other kind you like.

Then you can etch copper with a mix of HCL and hydrogen peroxide... stuff you find at local home improvement store for some $, say 3$ for both.

Then board could cost you a couple of dollars from some ebay seller... or less...

Grand total = 10 $
vs 66$ of the professional service...

Good for small production, few fine details and large tracks (e.g. TGS stuff) and costs you how much ? 10$.

That's it.

If don't wanna press-and-peel you can draw by hand (many people still do) or use transfer pads and tracks... adesive things...
Or can modify a printer or plotter to create a toner layer on the boards.
If not satisfied, you can buy photoresist spray, in small can e.g. 10ML or 15ML and spray your board, then use UV lamps (or leds) to make reaction happens... just need a printer, some transparent sheet and UV lamps or leds... not much, expecially if you like artificial tan.
Can also buy presensitized boards FR4 (e.g. bungard are excelent, made in germany) costs you maybe 3$ each...

All good and easy methods... just require little work and buy some products.

So, conclusion is: service is good, but DIY is better if wanna save money and need to make more than 3 boards...

Kind regards,
Max

[Rov]

try [email protected] for economical pcb design an manufacture,for those in the asia /pacific region. very good an fast/economical.
Cheers!

[Carl-NC]

I had a lot of trouble with Futurlec and their support person could barely speak English. I gave them a second chance and had problems again, so I would not recommend them.

[Altra]

I have had good results with PCBexpress and PCB123 (Sunstone Circuits). On small quanities you save about 50% by not getting the solder mask and silkscreen.
--
mark

[Alexismex]

Hello Grungy,
Express pcb are great guys (price not cheap) but the result it is very good circuits and very fast ,when you look to have a 2 face pro circuit for your project it is the best... and their are not a new brand in the market , i have working with us from many years.... also i have make in my life all the method from Max description (photo resist, peel etc...) ....but if you want a double circuit face with no trouble forget the rest ..... and calculate your working time$$$$ !!!!

[Qiaozhi]

Hello Grungy,
Express pcb are great guys (price not cheap) but the result it is very good circuits and very fast ,when you look to have a 2 face pro circuit for your project it is the best... and their are not a new brand in the market , i have working with us from many years.... also i have make in my life all the method from Max description (photo resist, peel etc...) ....but if you want a double circuit face with no trouble forget the rest ..... and calculate your working time$$$$ !!!!

I agree. Nasty chemicals involved, and double-sided boards are just too troublesome.