PCB Manufacturers

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Revision as of 19:48, 24 June 2008 by DavidCary (talk | contribs) (+flexible circuits)
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The following is a user-submitted list of PCB manufacturers. Your results may vary.

This page lists "board houses" that take your custom PCB layout file and convert it to a custom empty PCB file. For "standard" prototyping PCB boards, see stripboard and other techniques.

(FIXME: briefly mention the most relevant "capabilities": "preferred" and "minimum" trace width / spacing / via hole size / via pad diameter. Link directly to the manufacturer's "capability page" so readers can confirm these numbers for themselves. Boards that push the limit of manufacturability cost more than robustly designed boards that use preferred sizes.) For more details, see Submitting PCB's for fabrication.)

UltimatePCB

Best prices around for >2 layer boards. 4-layer boards up to 30 sq in. with 7/7 are $210 for 5, including shipping. Turn time is about 10 days including DHL from China. Service is not as fast as bigger outfits like Advanced Circuits, but still fine.

BatchPCB

2.50 / square inch + $10 setup, must use your own software to generate Gerber files. Easy-to-use web ordering interface, but slow turnaround time -- 10-20 days. Boards come out very nice -- precut, double-sided with silk screen and solder mask on both side.

Advanced Circuits

Good online design rule checking, easy web ordering interface, and small standard trace/space tolerances. Students can order single PCB's for $33 each.

Peter Todd mentions "bare bones prototype: printed circuit boards" http://BareBonesPCB.com/ :

preferred:

  • 2-layer, FR-4, 0.062" thick
  • All-holes-plated
  • 8-mil line/gap (?)
  • Cut to rectangle shape only
  • No mask
  • No legend
  • Minimum hole size 0.015

minimum:

  • 6 mil line, 10 mil gap on inner layers
  • 5 mil line/gap on outer layers (?)
  • 0.010 inch final finished hole size
  • minimum pad size: 0.024" (minimum 0.014" over finished hole size )

Olimex

Bulgarian PCB manufacturer - $33 for a 6.3" by 3.9" board. I.E. cheaper than BatchPCB, but with a minimum board size requirement, and a more complicated ordering process. (shipping cost?)

preferred:

  • white component mark on one side
  • traces/spaces >= 0,254 mm (0,010")
  • via hole size: 0.6mm (0,024") ( standard drill tool: 0,7 mm (0,028") minus plating 0,1mm (0,004") ) ; via pad size: ???

extra cost:

  • silkscreen both sides
  • minimum track/spaces: 0,203 mm (0,008")
  • minimum via hole size: ??? ; minimum via pad size: ???

PCB123

Offers their own free (proprietary) schematic and PCB layout software -- easy to use, but you are locked into using their service. Integration with ordering system simplifies the process of ordering boards.

PCBEXPRESS

All orders submitted before noon ship the next day. UPS ground shipping is free. Since they are located in the Portland, OR area this means you can get a board overnight to most places in the Northwest US.

Basic service is a two layer board routed to any size and shape. Two 9 sq inch boards for $63 (including shipping). Soldermask and silkscreen doubles the price.

Eagle gerber conversion scripts are provided.

PCBEXPRESS is apparently a division of Sunstone Circuits.

PCBFABEXPRESS

5 Boards for $60 ($12 ea. for 10 sq. inches) with a 5 day turn time. Good quality work, but turn times can be delayed if you have to correct any issues that don't meet their specs.

AP Circuits

2 boards, 2 layers next day shipping for as low as 7.95 each. or 2 boards, 2 layers, 2 solder masks and legend one side for as low as 9.95 each. 3 Day Service

Online quotes at http://www.apcircuits.com/ap/calculator

Full CNC contour routing including plated slotting, oversize holes, internal cutouts for a modest fee

Instructions for creating Gerber and NC output from many popular PCB programs are also on this site.

E-TekNet

4 2 layer boards for $18.99 each. Great prices for production board runs. Helpful staff.

preferred: (FIXME:)

maximum capabilities:

  • minimum 0.004" (0.1 mm) trace/space
  • minimum finished hole size: 0.008" (0.2 mm)

ExpressPCB

Similar to PCB123, in that they have free propietary schematic and layout software, but their Mini-Board service (3 identical boards, 2.5" X 3.8", no silkscreen) is priced well at $51 total, which includes shipping. If you need small boards quickly, this is a good choice, since they ship the next business day.

PCBCART

Fast turnaround (~8days + shipping), instant online quotes. $30 tooling fee, under $2/sq in.

Speedy PCB Prototype

No minimum order, must wait 24 hours for quote, $9.9 for protos, no extra charge for soldermask, silkscreen, E-testing, very low price on 2, 4, 6 layers.

YongXinYaPCB

quick turn prototype and vol production choice, based in CN, price competitive while quality guarantee, contact for more detail: georgehgm@gmail.com

Roca Printed Circuits

(FIXME:)

Accutrace

(FIXME:)

OurPCB

(FIXME:) prototype prices: 3 small 2 sided prototype boards for a total of $54 + $22 shipping.

PCB-POOL

(FIXME:)

PCBpro

(FIXME:)

Custom PCB

(FIXME:)

Myro PCB

(FIXME:)

capabilities:

4 small (max. 30 sq. inch) 2 sided prototype boards for a total of $80 + $35 shipping

  • Min. track/space 0.015 mm (0.006"). (This looks like a typo -- is it really 0.15 mm ?)
  • 0.35 mm via hole (0.014")
  • 0.32 mm inner clearance (0.013").

Imagineering, Inc.

(FIXME:)

capabilities:

  • min. track/space 0.08 mm (0.003")
  • ...
  • instant online quote

Sunstone Circuits

(FIXME:)

capabilities:

  • min track/space 0.005"
  • instant online quote
  • ...
  • has "PCB123 - free PCB Design Software from Sunstone Circuits"

Onboard Circuits

(FIXME:)

printed circuit boards:

  • Accurate, Fast PCB Quotes. OnBoardCircuits.com is the easiest Printed Circuit Board PCB quote site on the internet. We strive to make your purchasing process simple. From quick-turn prototype and ramp-to-volume production boards to full-scale production printed circuit boards, every phase is monitored and managed by highly qualified professionals.

=== GC Aero

capabilities:

"GC Aero specializes in the design and manufacture of flexible circuits and completed assemblies."

Other fab lists

Other web sites with a short list of recommendations:

Other web sites with long lists of PWB fabricators: