PCB Manufacturer Advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 05:43:50 pm
content: We need to make a 1-off board for an internal ATE, and I'm having trouble finding a US-based PCB manufacturer that can meet our needs, deals in single unit quantities, and is reasonably priced (not expecting cheap, just reasonable).The board is about 12"x9", 2mm (+/-0.2mm) FR-4 substrate, 1.5oz copper, 2-layer. About 100 holes, 350 pins. There are a number of heavy power traces which will require solder hatching on top of them to increase thermal and current capacity. Also, the solder must be 60/40 or 63/37, as it will be hand-assembled and serviced and doesn't need to meet RoHS. There's nothing particularly fine pitched, everything is thru-hole, SOIC, 0805, and SOT-23.Does anyone know of a good PCB manufacturer that can make a board like this for a reasonable price?

author: Prime73
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 06:11:44 pm
content: I would just make it myself. for this this size I think it would be cheaper.

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 06:19:52 pm
content: Maybe, but we're not set up to make PCBs. I don't have any photo lithography equipment or a precision drill.EDIT: 555th post! Guess I need to buy the T-shirt when I get home.

author: djacobow
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 06:27:34 pm
content: I just had a quote from Seeed for a 14" x 5.5", HASL board for $110 for 5. That was 1 oz, 1.6mm, but otherwise similar. For the power traces, I think you would just leave the solder mask off and then gob on plenty of solder, or maybe even overlay a wire yourself?I have a feeling increasing the thickness of the board and the copper won't nearly double the price.What do you consider a reasonable price?Quote from: Phaedrus on July 24, 2014, 05:43:50 pm

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 06:29:39 pm
content: I was thinking $120 would be reasonable. Anything over $150 would definitely be a no-go. I'll check out Seeed

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 07:04:00 pm
content: Seeed only goes up to 200x300mm. Mine is 200x305mm.I can probably tweak the layout a bit to shave that last 5mm... But it looks like minimum quantity is 5 boards. I could maybe find a use for 1 or 2 extras, but I don't need 5.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 08:54:15 pm
content: Quote from: Phaedrus on July 24, 2014, 07:04:00 pmI think they use the same board house as iTead, right?I once had a board that was 5mm off from my price bracket, I messaged them and they said it was ok to send through. Ask them if they can manage the extra 5mm.

author: djacobow
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 09:01:20 pm
content: Quote from: Phaedrus on July 24, 2014, 07:04:00 pmUse their customer service to email them. They will work with you on larger sizes, just not through the web gui. Seeed is building my board that is outside that range. I exchanged email with a guy named Raymond.-- dave j

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 09:17:48 pm
content: Did you search onhttp://pcbshopper.com?

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 09:52:41 pm
content: All shops have a min. qty... If you need one, just order 5 and throw out the rest

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2014, 10:47:43 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on July 24, 2014, 09:17:48 pmDoesn't let me including FR-4 and copper thickness. It's ok, I've gotten quotes from a half dozen places now, narrowed it down to two I think. Just waiting to see what Seeed and a couple others get back to me with.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2014, 09:25:52 pm
content: Quote from: marshallh on July 24, 2014, 09:52:41 pmMy idea exactly. I while ago I ordered a very small board from Seeed. They send me 10 instead of 5 even though I only needed one. At small quantities the setup costs dominate.