I've ordered a few 2-layer PCBs for hobby purposes. The first was made with KiCad and the others with DesignSpark. But I learned a few things from Carol's lecture.
I use a batching service now called OSH Park (formerly Dorkbot PCB) with excellent output (boards are US made). For my hobby use it's worth waiting a couple of weeks to save a couple hundred dollars compared to the cost of quick-turn places like Advanced Circuits.
@Mr. E, Don't have any names for you. It would depend on the volume. If your are willing to wait and have enough volume, ask for their bottom price. Some manufacturer's here will have a relationship with a Chinese mfr and can handle it for you.
Rob: Already playong back #4. :-) Will be covering tutorial and re-doing entire series. It helps to try the work a few days later -- to see if you still remeber the lessons.
Currently working on a board I wish to prototype -- no tools not enough knowledge. Now I can try at least!
@Mr. E, I was playing around and the screen capture doesn't match the quotes on the left. The quotes are correct. Good eye, I'm glad someone's paying close attention.
I listened all week to the lectures. You really did a great job. Better yet would be to order boards and stuff them and then test circuit. But that would cost big $$$.
Carol mentioned extra charge for less than 10 mil pitch. Sometimes there is a reason.
To avoid Tin Whiskers use 6 mil size for pitch. A 6 mil pitch allows a ROHS exemption application so you can use standard solder and avoid "Tin Whisker" problem.
Thanks Carol and Rob for the interesting week. Pointing me to DesignSpark was quite useful for learning PCB design on a tight budget. Happy Friday and see all next time.
PCBArtist does not allow any imports or exports. You can only get gerbers after an order. And you cannot take gerbers and translate back to layout software.
We've been happy with Accutrace's service for prototyping. 2 layer boards $10 ea, min qty 10 - top silkscreen only, or 4 layer boards $30 ea. 1 week turnaround.
would like to do more prototyping PCB for personal projects. most are on perf board with #30 wire soldered point-to-point to make sure the circuit works as expected.
To double check package layouts it helps to print the top layer on a good laser printer, as well as the bottom layer, mirrored. Then actually put your components on the paper to make sure everything is OK.
(1) Make sure that your holes are big enough. For plated through holes, allow for the plating.
(2) Depending on your requirements, you may want some holes are to be plated, and others you want to be clear. Don't forget to check. It is painful when you short a top layer to the bottom layer.
Make sure you know what color represents the top component layer and what color represents the bottom component layer. Especially important when working with different layout packages !
lessons learned... check the component footprint, check the footprint, check the footprint for the package being used. then make sure it's not inverted!
It really helps to talk with the vendor--it can save you lots of money. Also, many vendors have standard design rules. If you meet these rules your board will cost less. For example, one 8 mil trace can add 10 or 20% to the board cost if the vendor's standard is 10 mil traces.
@Rob Generally good, never the quality I usually expect and little room for modification once they are in the flow. There are two streams: one for prototyping and another for production quantities. Some houses want it panelized complete with registrations, others will want to do that themselves.
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