Small PCB Orders

[ChrisSmolinski]

Has anyone here used http://batchpcb.com/ ?  I need to get some small runs of boards made.

On a related note - they let you sell your designs through them. Might be an interesting way for enterprising individual who has designed a grenade type transmitter to make the board available.

[Seamus]

I have not used them, but I have heard good things about them, and know people are generally happy with their service (haven't heard of anyone decrying how horrible they were or anything like that).

I would also be very interested in seeing a transmitter PCB made available.  For educational purposes only, of course.

[SW-J]

I've always used:  http://www.apcircuits.com/

They have on-line calculation of cost, they offer a bare-bones "prototype" service (no extras) as well as their upscale full silkscreen and solder-masked boards using different laminates (GHz rated stuff) ...

For their prototype service, they have a restricted set of drill bits and non-solder-masked and no silkscreen (keeps costs down) and like a two-day turnaround with status updates.

Basic Prototype data received after 11:00 AM Mountain (13:00 Eastern) will be queued for formatting the next business day and ship the business day following that.

I like using them because there is no 'human' involved negotiating price, they have on-line price calculator:

   http://www.apcircuits.com/ap/calculator

When ready to order, just FTP in the files zipped up or use their xfer utility to send in the Gerbers with their order form.


Added:

I hesitate to mention this, but, I've got a friend who operates a small company with Juki 'pick and place' (SMT placement line) equipment ...


Update: Looks like setup charge is a little higher for APCircuits but per sq inch is a little lower and of course the turn around time for the batch guys could be like 20 days vs 2 or 3 for APCircuits ... there are other trade-offs, as the batch guys will do silk-screening and soldermask (I think) for that 2.50 a sq inch - that's not bad ... good find.

[cmradio]

I like using them because there is no 'human' involved negotiating price, they have on-line price calculator:

http://www.apcircuits.com/ap/calculator

OUCH!!!!!

Check out some ads for PCB places on DIY forums... you'll find PCB places that charge 1/3 for the same thing (seriously... not junk, good 1.5mm FR4 stuff w/soldermask & silkscreen, double sided plated through holes).

Peace!

[SW-J]

I like using them because there is no 'human' involved negotiating price, they have on-line price calculator:

http://www.apcircuits.com/ap/calculator

OUCH!!!!!

Check out some ads for PCB places on DIY forums... you'll find PCB places that charge 1/3 for the same thing (seriously... not junk, good 1.5mm FR4 stuff w/soldermask & silkscreen, double sided plated through holes).

Peace!

2-day turnaround, under 2.50 (this figure look more like 1.30 in 100 unit board qtys) a sq inch? I've looked in the past ...

Add: Their name (apcircuits) keeps popping up when searching for ppl who want (and have used them for) small qtys of cheap PCBs made:

  http://www.sxlist.com/techref/pcbfabs.htm
  http://web.media.mit.edu/~wad/pcbfab.html
  http://chiphacker.com/questions/2829/recommended-pcb-houses-assemblers


A "user-submitted list" of PCB manf's:

  http://www.opencircuits.com/PCB_Manufacturers



Edit: Ongoing to refine some info like APC's cost per sq inch and setup charge