Prices of Chinese PCB manufacturers for low quantities of simple tiny PCB? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 06:35:17 am
content: Hi there,In case you're quite patient and don't mind the 30 days or so shipping from China, do you have any estimate on the possible cost for a small single-layer PCB?I'm not sure about the factors which determine the cost (no experience with custom PCB what so ever), but let's consider a small, simple circuit that allows you to place a few SMD LEDs and resistors.As I know that it's required to be more specific than that, but I don't have a certain project in mind, let's take this as a random example of something small and perhaps cheap. A custom PCB that can fit inside of a computer USB, so a few centimeters length and width. 2 copper traces (or whatever the proper name is) for the USB power supply, and some exposed copper to place e.g. 2-3 LEDs in parallel.Something like this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Mini-universal-USB-Laptop-3-LED-Light-Pocket-Card-Night-Lamp-Black-AD-/331941092411except maybe slightly larger components for easier soldering. I'm not sure what the exposed copper on the top is for, perhaps it's a heat sink of sorts that allows it to be screwed onto a piece of aluminum or etc. If it doesn't cost extra to leave more exposed copper, that's a good idea.Obviously, that's not attractive in any way as such an item already exists and is cheaper to buy, but it's probably one of the simplest/cheapest boards to make, so I'm just taking that as anexample.Do you have any idea how much it would cost to make such a PCB in low quantity from the Chinese PCB manufacturers on eBay and Aliexpress? E.g. 5-10 pieces (maybe it's not even possible below 10) for personal practice. Most seem to need finished gerber files before you can get a quote/estimate so I'm not sure I could ask them in a similar fashion.Thanks.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 06:40:44 am
content: This site will gave a good ideahttp://pcbshopper.com/

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 06:41:59 am
content: Thanks, will check it out.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 07:11:33 am
content: For small proto stuff, it's pretty hard to beat the US based OSHPARK.COM, $5/sq in for 3 boardsI just had a 10 board run of a 85x55mm board done w/ dirtypcbs, and it was fine. Shipping isn't the fastest, about a 6 week turnaround, but from everything I'm seeing that the time to enter canada more than the time to ship from Hong Kong.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 08:11:12 am
content: US-based means Very expensive for anybody outside North America

author: ansonbao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 03:59:18 am
content: If you need small quantity such as 0-5 pieces,OSHPARK is your first choice.If you need more,you can try our service,below 100mmx100mm,only $5.

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 03:20:45 am
content: I can second PCBWay, so far they did not give me any grief. Am on my third order now. For something simple and two layer, its usually like 5 bux for prod and 20 or 30 for DHL. For a four layer 113x97mm board, five of them, I normally pay 99 buxx plus 23 for DHL.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 10:03:35 am
content: Quote from: ansonbao on June 06, 2017, 03:59:18 amAnson, unfortuantly your company can't be trusted to keep customer data confidental. Also your company just changes things, with no notice or warning. The whole AllPCB / PCBWAY thing is a faisco.. Your own sales staff compete for the same customers.. Its crazy.. You've got good products, but why all this silly business practice.

author: ansonbao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2017, 10:06:12 am
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on June 10, 2017, 10:03:35 am1:This is my last statement in eevblog about this question, we are different companies and they are our clients. Now in order to prevent misunderstanding between our clients, we canceled cooperation with them.Our production capacity, after-sales service and others are different. We can produce Fr4 boards, stencil-frame, aluminum boards, etc., and each order you can leave feedback to us in our system and special staff will offer after-sale service.2: Customer Information is also the most important thing we care about, Information disclosure never happened in PCBWay. If you meet this problem from allpcb, it is their responsibility. As I said above, we are different companies. We own pcb factory and pcb assembly factory, please do not put us together in the future.3:Erin was ever our staff, but she left PCBWay a long time ago. It is a pity that you did not continue to cooperate with PCBWay.