4 layer PCB prototypes from $50 (5x5cm) - itead
iteadstudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=pro...Posted Dec 28, 2011, 6:08 AM UTC
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iteadstudio.com
Nice! If all you need is 2 layer though, seeedstudio's Fusion PCB service offers 5x5cm boards at $10 for 10 boards. I haven't used it myself, but it's the cheapest I've seen, and seeedstudio have a lot of other high quality products.
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ooh that is a nice link
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Itead has the same deal. While I've only got my first order in with them now, I chose them because of a solid recommendation.
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Any idea about turnaround time?
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2-3 weeks to Canada, as I recall, from the point where you submit the gerbers.
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Seeedstudio Fusion
SHIPPING TO USA FOR --- Boards: 5 cm x 5 cm Weight: 80 gram
$4.10 for Registered Air Parcel (10 to 30 days).
$24.82 for DHL.
SHIPPING TO USA FOR --- Boards: 10 cm x 10 cm Weight: 320 gram
$8.10 for Registered Air Parcel (10 to 30 days).
$24.82 for DHL.
FREE for Registered Air Parcel (10 to 30 days) for orders more than $50.
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Anyone have experience w/ this? That's an awesome price (even with shipping) - I'd so much rather pay that than do toner transfer 10 times.
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I've had 3 boards done now. The only problems were when I designed below their specs. I've been very pleased with their work. It usually takes 3 weeks from placing my order to receiving it in the mail (East Coast US)
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I have. I didn't have any problems with the boards, just design mistakes (my fault). They sent me some extras. The boards pictured on this page were from Seeedstudio.
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I believe itead gets their boards manufactured at the same place as seeedstudio does. Itead also has smd stencils available.
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What we really need is cheap PCBA -- assembly services. I think most people know where to get a board fabbed, but hell if I have the equipment to do BGA or even any QFN.
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Its not that hard. A hot air soldering station can be yours for ~50-100 USD on ebay. Or use the toaster oven or frying pan method. It actually works
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I have hot air reflow, and I have a toaster. That doesn't mean I want to assemble a two-sided board with BGA, QFN, fine-pitch QFP as well as 0402 passives, etc etc.
And no, I can't stop designing with them. It's an addiction.
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(Shrug) And bird-watchers have to deal with poison ivy. Man up and start soldering. :)
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I really don't follow you.. "i want to be able to pay someone to do something extremely complicated, but i don't want it to be expensive".
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That actually sounds about right? :)
I'm talking for small runs, say, 100. 100 is way more than I'm willing to do myself, but not nearly enough for most anyone else to take it seriously.
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I don't own an XRAY CAMERA to inspect soldered BGA's, do you?
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No, but somehow i am able to solder BGAs anyway.
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The trick is to realize that you don't have to get it right the first time. Check for shorts where you can, power up the board, and if it doesn't work, pull the BGA off and start over.
It is pretty hard to damage a modern chip with excessive soldering heat, especially if you stick with 60/40 or 63/37 Sn/Pb for prototype work. If you preheat the board from the bottom and apply hot air to the top, you will eventually succeed. Most are also surprisingly robust when powered up for a short time with output shorts.
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Seeedstudio does assembly and testing now, but I believe their minimum is 100 units.
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10x10cm is also available for $85, which is a better value: http://iteadstudio.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_20&products_id=517
I haven't seen any feedback about the quality of these so don't use it for anything critical.
edit: quantity is 10 pieces, shipping to canada is $4.
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add $ for shipping from china to USA.
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How does this compare to BatchPCB?
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BatchPCB in Colorado see http://batchpcb.com/
$2.50 per square inch for 2 layer.
$8.00 per square inch for 4 layer.
$10 setup fee.
Shipping is ?
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I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Advanced Circuits. 4-layer board, up to 30 square inches for $66.
Minimum quantity is 5 (though you only pay for 4), but students can order smaller quantities.
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They haven't mentioned it because that's 8.8 times the cost of the OP's link. Itead's price is for ten pieces total, not per piece.
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Oops.
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If you live in USA and need extremely fast turn times, then it's hard to beat companies in USA. Not the best for home projects, but for work, sometimes "time" is far more important.
Same situation if you lived in another country and local board vendors would be faster and cheaper shipping.
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Obviously.
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Olimex from Bulgaria at http://olimex.com/pcb/
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TOTAL COST IS:
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PCB Cost, plus
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Setup Costs, plus
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Shipping Costs. Expensive shipping will destroy cost advantage of cheap boards.
TOTAL TIME IS:
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PCB Manufacture Time, plus
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Ship Time. Cheap overseas shipping is usually slow, so keep that in mind.
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http://pcb.laen.org is $10/sq. in. for 3 copies and the quality is superb. Depending on the size and quanitity required it is also cheaper. 2-layer is also available at $5/sq. in.
Thanks, that works out to:
Assuming your circuit is exactly that size. So laen is still the goto, unless you need those extra 7pcs.
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http://pcb.laen.org
Free shipping in USA.