I am in a similar situation to Mark.  Today I went through the tutorial that
comes with Vutrax software to learn how to create the schematics and board
layout.

I have been collecting links to low volume PCB makers and Advance circuits
PCB's looks pretty good in terms of price and features, and turn around
time, so the advertisement was welcomed by me.

I too am planning on using SMT parts on my boards. One chip in my design
(STA013 mp3 decoder) is only available in SMT.  I soldered one to an adapter
to breadboard the circuit, so I figured I could solder 10 boards. After 10
units for beta testing I am going to make 100 units for sell.  Does anyone
know of an assembly house that would make 100 units at a reasonable cost?
What is the typical volume you need to make before you can outsource the
assembly effectively?  I have found lots of low volume board makers on the
Internet but no low volume assemblers.  Maybe I am not looking in the right
way.

On the EE tag, they have been talking about using toaster ovens to run off
small jobs yourself.

--BobG



-----Original Message-----
From: pic microcontroller discussion list [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On
Behalf Of Brandon Fosdick
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 8:51 PM
To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: [Fwd: $33 each] Advanced circuits PCB's

Mark Newland wrote:
>
> I just got this personal e-mail delivered to me as probally others on
> this list that are customers of Advanced Circuits probally have also.
> Thought others that might be interested in it also

Their site is very slow. Since I don't have the patience to wait for it
to load...What file format do they want the design in?

I've never had PCB's made before. In fact I've never made them myself
either. I have 2 designs and I need 10 boards each. They're not very
complicated, just an f877, resisters, diodes, 7805 and max487, plus
connectors. I'm planning on using surface mount for everything but the
connectors. Anything I should know before I jump into this?

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