The elephant in the room. Rapid PCB manufacture should there be sanctions. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 05:34:05 am
content: Not wanting to get all geo-political on your asses, just someone who may or may not want to order a few rapid PCBs this year for hobby projects, I understand this morning that I can't but buy certain Wodka or certain breeds of cats.So, in anticipation of still more stupid disappointment delivered my overlords, I'm content in the fact that the instance I set aside time to pull the trigger on my projects, I may get a shit sandwich.So what are my options? Should I dig out my etch kit from 1984? (!)I hope you can interpret this OP as a bit silly, granted, but still be prepared to offer my question a serious answer.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 06:28:59 am
content: Hi:Hard to think, on that one, Ed!I feel some guilt, just carrying on with a day of (avoiding) doing any WORK...I think there are those, that want a complete full-on strike, it's tough call, as I have heard some details, regarding Americans in denial, as WWII loomed, around 1942'ish...For the one instance here, a 'few' hobby components is maybe with other solutions, even perhaps getting some new players, in that supply...but they'll have to do the 'learning curve' real fast...But, Ed, I suspect you mean this in a bigger, more general context...I struggle to absorb the news, lately.But perhaps THAT shock-daze is your answer, lame as that would be; That folks out there/ here don't have a coherent answer.I see, first, looking like 'caution: We don't want to provolk any trouble', and then followed by tough-talk...to the ends of the Earth, to the end of Time, we will get (you bad guys)...So caution in one hand, and a STICK...EDIT: and talk talk talk, if maybe a STICK, somewhere.I DID do a petty, worthless survey, of Television main channels 2-7 coverage, one evening, 7 pm:3 channels had Basketball Games1 had some kind of Diversity in the Olympics, piece.and 1 channel had, WAR action news coverage.Ed, a 'sarcastic' response seems so tempting, ...see what I mean, here?Best I can do, is state that I support, in theory, that any boycotts, etc to put pressure on Russia, but there's just SOO MUUUUUCH wrong, now, with OUR function as a country...I'll come back, if anything helpful comes to mind.But, peace, and enough of 'Censorship'.Free Speech My Ass!I bet even this response would not get past the social media 'fact check'.pffffft. (thanks)

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 06:33:08 am
content: Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on March 05, 2022, 05:34:05 amThe serious answer is: become rich enough to dictate who is sanctioned and when so that the drama can be scheduled not to interfere with your hobby projects.Alternatively, look for a local PCB fab. Pretty sure there are/were some companies doing it in small quantities here.Or buy THT componens and use perfboards

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 09:00:31 am
content: You are ordering PCBs from Russia?

author: Miyuki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 09:13:08 am
content: PCB manufacturing is a fishy business nowadaysDo not tell me, companies like JLPCB are not selling for dumping prices, they have boards cheaper than raw materialsAnd yes I am guilty of supporting it from time to time.But mostly use local manufacturer as it offers next day delivered for simple boards

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 09:14:01 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on March 05, 2022, 09:00:31 amHahaha. NoJust looking farther ahead.

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 09:33:45 am
content: "Further" is where the real fun begins, if the relevant parties deliver.Uncle S%# embargoing all Apple products will be absolutely epic

author: Siwastaja
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2022, 09:44:25 am
content: PCB manufacturing isn't the elephant in the room. PCB fabs literally exist everywhere, the process isn't rocket science.Semiconductors are the problem. And as you are clearly referring to China, the reality is that we are completely dependent of China in almost every imaginable and non-imaginable way. Therefore, we also will keep doing business with them, no matter what happens.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2022, 12:49:47 am
content: Quote from: magic on March 05, 2022, 09:33:45 amI can imagine how 'happy' Apple will be. Once a company leaves a market, re-entry process may be painful and expensive, because someone will take the place. Nature abhors a vacuum.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2022, 12:58:25 am
content: I personally do my best to avoid China. As far as I'm concerned there should be sanctions against them for all the pollution they generate, the human rights issues etc... but regress, want to avoid making this political.It's hard to avoid them 100% though since it seems everything is made there but I always try to find an alternate if I can. I have not gotten PCBs made yet but I have found a few that make them here in Canada so I would probably go with them first even if it's a bit more expensive. Though if it ends up like 10x more expensive then it's kind of hard to justify... But the price I see is also the price I pay. No exchange rate, no tarifs etc.The bare components are most likely all made in China too, so can't really avoid them either way. Actually it would be cool if sites like Digikey had country of origin as a parametric search option.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2022, 01:18:15 am
content: PCBs are 10x expensive here right now. If things happen, the local manufacturers will help themselves as they please. I still have memories of being quoted $400 for 5 boards 6x3 inch here in Toronto back in early 2000s.

author: eugene
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2022, 04:47:53 am
content: Once, when looking to buy a new pair of shoes, I tried to find some not made in China. The best I could do was made in Vietnam.I don't like ordering PCBs from China, but if I had to buy from American fab houses then I couldn't afford to buy them at all. Not for hobby purposes.