pcb manufacture - china - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: vixo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2020, 12:59:46 pm
content: I'm looking around for the best PCB manufacture. The prices in China seem hard to beat, so for now at least I'm sticking with the cheap. Does anyone have any recommendations over services? I've used PCB cart before, im perfectly happy with the service and the price but the lead time was 4 weeks (which doesn't seem unreasonable but) are there any places which offer faster turnaround? Im only looking at small quantities 50 - 100 - 200 boards, all readily available surface mount components.

author: garethw
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2020, 10:08:53 pm
content: I've used both "JLCPCB" and "PCB Way". Both completed my boards quicker than they predicted and reached me (UK) in less than 3 weeks.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2020, 09:10:01 pm
content: I can attest to JLCPCB boards as being of excellent quality. (Just for bare boards. Haven’t used their assembly service.) I’ve got a big order with them (13 different boards) coming next week.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2020, 02:05:23 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on July 05, 2020, 09:10:01 pmI agree, though I REALLY don't understand how the hell they do it for the price!!!I appreciate that companies in general often 'undersell' themselves for new customers, in thehope that they get much more business/quantities in the future, but that doesn't seem tophase them!! Not to mention the often ridiculously low or zero postage from some companies!!On a sombre note though, I have a 'feeling' that a lot of this is going to change shortly...Considering recent souring relationships between China & Australia, (and others!), since thisCovid-19 outbreak/limitations/inquiries/accusations. (Not to mention HongKong's new unrest).Australia has now pledged another almost immediate $170 Billion increase for Defense!!Seems they know more than the public is being told... yet...I think the 'Honeymoon' period of cheap supplies here, may approach an unwanted 'Sunset'..

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2020, 02:47:22 pm
content: Quote from: GlennSprigg on July 06, 2020, 02:05:23 pmWell, even before Coronavirus, I don't think JLCPCB offered free shipping to Switzerland, only DHL.For sure, the gravy train of free shipping will come to an end eventually.As for how they make them so cheap, probably by not worrying about pesky things like wastewater treatment or worker safety. :/

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2020, 11:25:13 am
content: I just found by chance, a video showing the whole process, (in 2018), of their PCB constructionplant for 'JLCPCB' in China. I was totally taken back by their technology & professionalism!!The 'Narrator' stole the show from the Chinese girl, Lilly though!!...

author: SerieZ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2020, 12:13:20 pm
content: I mostly order from Würth or LeitOn for Prototypes and sometimes from PCBWay when I want it cheap.All three match my price/quality expectations.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2020, 04:15:16 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on July 05, 2020, 09:10:01 pmFWIW, the boards look great.Oddly, the resolution of the silkscreening is different on some boards, despite being produced in the same software (Altium) — some are much jaggier than others. Still legible though. Either way, 2mm tall TrueType text is a challenge to read. I’ll go bigger next time. :pAbsolutely no issues with manufacturing precision or anything. Everything that didn’t fit was our own fault.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2020, 12:13:07 pm
content: PCB Way are great for general purpose PCBs. Excellent service.www.pcbway.comThere is a really good manufacturer named King Credie in China. Excellent service and super cheap, by an English speaker there calling himself Zorro. They did some flex PCBs for me at a ridiculously low price.https://www.kingcredie.com/In Taiwan, Speedy Circuits have the highest quality PCBs, use the best technology, but are a bit more costly. They will offer a Valor report by Mentor Graphics - this is very useful and most manufacturers don't offer this as Valor is very expensive software. Valor reports can mean the difference between a good PCB layout and the great PCB layout. They are no so speedy though, but very thorough.https://www.speedy-circuits.com.tw/If you want to stay away from China and avoid Trumps taxes, tryhttps://custompcb.com/. Good service, low prices, and reasonable capabilities... they are in Malaysia.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2020, 09:20:32 am
content: I got a 6-layer board made for JLCPCB - half Eurocard size and the cost was extremely competitive, I think it was £140 shipped for 5 PCBs. Quality excellent, no issues despite 5/5 mil tolerance and BGA design, excellent solderability, highly recommended.