Is there a Cafepress for PCBs? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2014, 03:24:22 am
content: I am looking for a services similar to cafepress but for PCBs. Something along these lines:1. I register with the service, creates an online project, upload gerber files of my design.2. I order a few PCBs using the project ID, build and test.3. Other people can also order PCBs (typically 1 or a few) from that project, without having to deal with gerber files.4. I can update the design, create a new version of the project and upload new gerber files.This is for an open hardware project. I am not looking for commissions from the PCB sales. PCB should be low, shipping time is not that critical.Is there anything like that?

author: angst7
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2014, 03:59:42 am
content: OSHpark does this. They have a shared projects area where you can publish designs and others can order them.www.oshpark.com

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2014, 07:20:55 am
content: Doesn't Seeedstudio also do something similar?

author: cellularmitosis
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2014, 07:44:59 am
content: You might use OSHPark in combination withhttp://tindie.com(I hadn't previously realized OSHPark had a shared projects section.)

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 08:52:26 am
content: Quote from: angst7 on January 13, 2014, 03:59:42 amI uploaded today a design to oshpark. It looks very nice indeed. Very friendly quote/upload/review process, very reasonable prices, and others can order as well once I share it. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the recommendation.BTW, AmpHour has a interview with the proprietorhttp://www.theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-149-purple-pcb-philosophy/

author: HSPalm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 12:39:23 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on January 13, 2014, 07:20:55 amI think it's actually Itead studio which uses the same fab house. When I was ordering PCBs the other day, at Itead I got the option to open source my design and get 2 extra PCBs for free.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 07:15:24 pm
content: Quote from: HSPalm on January 28, 2014, 12:39:23 pmHave you checked the terms? I think you get two boards of other people but not 100% sure.Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

author: HSPalm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 08:58:12 am
content: Quote from: zapta on January 29, 2014, 07:15:24 pmWhoops!QuoteBut why would I want that... The option on checkout isQuoteSo yes I misunderstood

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 03:57:33 am
content: Quote from: angst7 on January 13, 2014, 03:59:42 amA quick followup,I had very good results with OSHPARK, user friendly ordering process, good quality boards (I ordered 2 layers), excellent price and reasonable delivery time. Highly recommended.Did not have luck though with PCB POOL, I ordered with 8 days delivery, initially they sent me emails with the processing steps but it stopped on Jan 28. Still no sign for the boards and stencil. I will call my credit company and will dispute the payment.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 04:21:36 am
content: Quote from: zapta on February 12, 2014, 03:57:33 amChinese New Year.China basically shuts down for a few weeks each year, this year was between late January and mid February.Sounds like you got caught in it to me.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 01:39:03 pm
content: Does PCB Pool farm out work to China? They advertise as the largest PCB supplier in Europe. There are no Chinese locations noted on their web site, just Germany, UK, South Africa and America.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 01:55:42 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on February 12, 2014, 01:39:03 pmOh, those guys, maybe not, I was probably thinking of one of the many other places.But still, if they do rely on anything coming from China and didn't have their act together before the shut down...

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2014, 03:34:04 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on February 12, 2014, 03:57:33 amThe PCB Pool boards arrived. They are well done (ordered without solder mask to reduce the cost), well packaged, and include a nice ss stencil. For some reason they insist on having a signature (vast majority of vendors do not) so I had to go to the post office to pick it up (annoying).However, when I compare OSH Park to PCB Pool for my prototyping needs, OSH Park is the clear winner. Significantly better price (especially if you want solder mask), better communication (e.g. they email to notify shipping. PCB Pool does not) much faster turnaround (e.g. I placed an order on Feb 15 evening and they ship it to me on Feb 21) and you can make your PCB public so others can order it as well. If I need a stencil, OSH Stencil does inexpensive plastic stencil with fast delivery time (arrives in 2-3 days).BTW, the OSH Park proprietor was on the Amp Hour last yearhttp://www.theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-149-purple-pcb-philosophy/