Printed Circuit Boards manufacturer

[stirling]

Anyone have recommendations for small run (10s rather than 100s) single/double sided that you've used preferably in the UK?

Also I'm currently learning FreePCB - anything better/easier that you like (that's as cheap:smile:)?

TIA

[Swarfing]

Stirling i use 'Eagle' and most manufacturers will except the format.

[mmcp42]

another vote for Eagle

[Swarfing]

Another shout is to join the PCBGCODE yahoo grop as there are guys there that may do that sort of run for you?

[Jonathan]

Anyone have recommendations for small run (10s rather than 100s) single/double sided that you've used preferably in the UK?

TIA

I've done that sort of quantity on my mill before now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDNScafwTYw

I'll try it on my router soon with higher spindle speed. All good fun :)

[stirling]

Thanks for all your replies. Will certainly give Eagle a shot. Still interested if anyone has used and can recommend a commercial pcb supplier.

[Jimmybristol]

Stirling,

It depends on the quality you are after, I have used many of them over the years:

For top notch boards (at a price)

I would always recommend Express circuits, they make some fantastic stuff but be prepared for the price, they are generally high technology.


http://www.http://expresscircuits.com/

For cheaper PCB's, with a reasonable quality (we use them for prototyping)

http://www.pcbtrain.co.uk/ (this is Newbury Electronics)

http://http://www.pcb-pool.com/ (Irish)

The quality of the boards is more than respectable and the lead time etc is good, one note would be if you are soldering surface mount I would avoid HASL finish and go with a Immersion finish as the pads will be much flatter.

I have a quite a lot of PCB experience, especially with Motor drives and high current boards, but have dabbled in RF and other such terrors!! (as do many of the guys I work with) we use Altium (not cheap), so if you ever have any questions then drop me a line, I am alos up for some "beer Token" pcb design if it is not commercial!

Hope that helps

James

[Robin Hewitt]

Stirling i use 'Eagle' and most manufacturers will except the format.


Eagle files put Olimex in to a full hair tearing rant :naughty:

Click on "TECHNICAL INFO" then scroll down to...

FILE FORMATS we accept:

http://www.olimex.com/pcb/index.html

[stirling]

Thanks both for the info - exactly what I was looking for - I'll peruse and digest.

[cekic]

http://http://www.pcb-pool.com/ (http://http//www.pcb-pool.com/) (Irish)



I used PCB-Pool a lot, but they don't do assembly. Their boards are very good quality. They accept many PCB file formats, however they charge more for Gerbers which I use.

I used www.bittele.com (http://www.bittele.com) 's online quote to get my card assembled. It's 30mmX50mm has 1 bga, 60 smd, 10 through hole parts. I'm putting together a real package with BOM and data sheets and gerbers for them to give me a more detailed quote. When I get the run back, I'll send you pics and my expert opinion.