Ray Gardiner wrote:
>
> <snip>
> >
> >So my question is this:  What to you folks think - is surface mount
> >cheaper than through hole?  Does surface mount require a two sided
> >board in order to route?
> >
> >
> There are some other things to consider as well as the points you
> have mentioned.
>
> 1. SMT assembly costs are usually less than through hole.
> 2. SMT with smaller PCB size, packaging can be much less.
>
> Whether or not you can route a single layer SMT board is the
> same as for through hole. Only difference is your components
> are now on the bottom of the board not the top :-)

'Tis true... Another thing : through-holes (sounds like an insult :
Hey, you through-hole! <G> ) don't work that well if you want to
place on both sides, whereas you can reflow on one side, and wave
solder on the other if you go SMT. The difference in price between
single-sided and double-side PCB is very small for us.

The price of 0805 prices have also gone down here. It should be the
same as 1206 pretty soon.

--
Friendly Regards

Tjaart van der Walt
mailto:tjaart@wasp.co.za
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