Low-cost USA or EU low-volume assemblers? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SlowBro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2020, 07:59:59 pm
content: Seeking to go into production later this year with a low-volume run. I'd prefer JLCPCB but with the virus I have to consider it possible China will be backed up for a long time. Who is low-cost in the USA or EU?Initial run would be 5 designs x 100, largest board is 107mm x 94mm, 55 unique SMT parts, 622 pads total across all boards including THT (which I will solder myself), lead is acceptable, no fine pitch, single-sided, green mask, 1oz 1.6mm 2 layer board, standard vias and track widths. I'll do QA testing myself if needed. I can tolerate longer (say up to 6 week) lead times.JLC was asking $1,112.87 for this which included components, setup fees, and shipping. Quite a bargain.

author: SlowBro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2020, 09:18:06 pm
content: Just pulled a rough estimate from Macrofab and the same run is about $5k.7PCB in Canada is roughly $2700. Unless I rough estimated wrong, I'mprobablynot going to find anything less expensive.

author: Mangozac
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 10:36:16 pm
content: Yeah unfortunately it's very wishful thinking to expect to get anywhere close to the JLC PCB prices for something like that from a Western manufacturer.

author: kylehunter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2020, 01:26:39 am
content: Quote from: SlowBro on February 01, 2020, 09:18:06 pmI use 7PCB a lot for fab. They do most of their work over in China FYI.

author: SlowBro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2020, 02:12:03 am
content: Quote from: Mangozac on February 02, 2020, 10:36:16 pmOh yes it is well understood I won't get prices close to JLC but the question remains: Who are the low-cost assemblers in USA and the EU, lower in price than other US/EU houses?

author: SlowBro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2020, 02:19:24 am
content: Quote from: kylehunter on February 03, 2020, 01:26:39 amAh, it appears you are correct:https://www.7pcb.com/about-bittele.phpYet their lead time is 6 days, so they must use a lot of airmail:https://onlinequote.7pcb.com/

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2020, 07:14:10 am
content: Give this mob a go.http://eipcb.rs/They used to work with Colins radio in the dim days of history past.They manufacture bare boards as well as populate them. Not as cheap as China but cheaper than the western manufacturers.A bright bunch of people led by Maja Jovic the general manager.English is not a problem, I have used their services in years past when China went off grid for the holidays.Four to five working days for PCBs is about as good as they can go unless by prior arrangement.I have not had any problems with their bare boards and presently they are making a product which incorporates mixed SMD PTH embeded micro work from start to finish including burning code.

author: Bob Moore
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 13, 2020, 07:06:26 am
content: As some have already mentioned before, getting affordable PCB from Western manufacturers is quite difficult. Have you thought about getting in touch with manufacturers in other parts of Asia?A lot of companies are trying to make a move out of China and is quite understandable, first, the trade war with the US-made things difficult for anyone working on electronics in China, and Coronavirus just came to make things worse. From what I know, and this is something a lot of people with electronics manufacturing experience seem to agree on Malaysia and Taiwan are both countries that look like a very good alternative to electronics manufacturing, here's an article that tries to explain why? maybe is helpful for you.https://titoma.com/blog/odm-manufacturing-taiwan-china