For many years I also used AP Circuits (Calgary Canada). But their insistence on using 1/2oz copper rather than 1oz caused me some errors that were totally unexpected (high conductor resistances) so I stopped using them. I'd like to try some of the others, as I use protypes, mostly 4-layer, at least once a month. --Bob At 01:01 PM 7/24/2003 -0500, you wrote: >Although I have never sued them (sic) I have used Advanced Circuits a >lot. ;-) > >A couple of years back I went around getting quotes from about a dozen >prototype companies. Advanced www.4pcb.com and AP Circuits >http://www.apcircuits.com/ were the two best combinations of price/value >in my opinion. I have used Advanced ever since, and been pleased. > >I got quotes on the same board from a number of proto houses that were *10 >times* the amount that these two places charge, with two week leadtimes >common. I generally use their 3 day turns, can't wait any longer and >don't want to spend any more. > >I found AP to be the absolute cheapest stateside (didn't try Olimex) >however their cheapest prototype has a lot of conditions - square board, >limitiations on hole numbers and sizes, and so on. Advanced will build >basically exactly what I want for a little more money. If I was willing >to wait for the extra shipping time, or needed the absolute lowest >prototype cost, I would be trying Olimex. > >Advanced will be very picky about your gerbers. If there are any >problems, even so much as a question, they will put you on hold and call >you up. I would rather they do that, then make them wrong. THey also >have an automated gerber quality checker that bears looking into before >submitting a PCB. > >-- Lawrence Lile > > > > > >Cameron Bourdon >Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list >07/24/2003 10:21 AM >Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list > > > To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU > cc: > Subject: [EE]: PCB prototypes > > >I've recently decided to take the plunge into fab'd PCBs (and surface >mount tech). > >I downloaded the free version of Eagle PCB CAD, read the tutorials and >various FAQs, experimented, and now I'm almost able to be productive... > >I read through many of the Pic-List posts for tips and ideas (and a >sincere Thank You to all related posters). > >I was planning on using Olimex (www.olimex.com) for my first couple of >boards, as their prices appear to be much less than anyone else (they also >accept Eagle board files, which saves me the added trouble & opportunity >for error dealing with gerber files - at least until I gain a bit of >experience with everything else). > >But Olimex will be shutting down for the entire month of August, and I'm >afraid that if I send them my files now, and they don't arrive when >expected, I'll be left hanging with no one to call until September... > >Neil recently mentioned e-Protos at www.eprotos.com >- has anyone else tried them? Where you happy with the results? > >Some houses appear to have good prices, but the minimum quantity of boards >neutralizes this (I'm amazed by the price differences). > >*** Because I'm a PCB-Newbie, I'm going to make mistakes. In fact the best >way for me to learn is to get some experience by making some boards... I >want to do this for the minimum ammount per iteration; it does me no good >if I'm paying less than $20 per board if it cost me $100-$500 to find out >I missed a major item/should have done something differently! > >I know the PCB house has costs (doing prototypes is wasteful for them >compared to larger runs), and they have to pass these costs on to us - the >customer... but notice the difference between Olimex and everyone else. >Are there any other companies with Olimex like prices? If so, are they >open for business during August? > >Olimex: >Double sided, FR-4 0.062" PCB, 1-oz copper (is this copper thickness? this >figure seems standard with most manufacturers), plated through holes, >solder mask on both sides, component side silkscreen, Panel up to 6.3" x >3.9" (can have multiple circuits, free depanilization...), turn around >time is 3-5 working days if traces/spaces >+ 0.010" >$26.00 (plus shipping) and no minimum quantity!. > >[Note: Wouter recommends that, in order to prevent extra charges from >Olimex (maybe others too?), you should double check the silkscreen widths >(or specify no silkscreens) and the drill sizes (They prefer metric, >standard drill tools are: > 0,7 mm (0,028"), 0,9 mm (0,035"), > 1.0 mm (0,039"), 1.1 mm (0,043"), > 1.3 mm (0,051"), 1.5 mm (0,059"), > 2.1 mm (0,083"), 3.3 mm (0,13") >] > >PCB Express (www.pcbexpress.com): >For a similar board from PCB Express it'll run $215.00 (plus shipping) <- >you get two boards but you don't have a choice, that's their minimum qty. >Positive: Done in 3 days. This is for boards up to 19 square inches, >olimexs' is about 24.5 square inches. You can cut $11 from PCB Express' >price by dropping to a 9-square inch board max... >...PCB Express offers a reduced cost version, but you lose the solder mask >from both sides, the silkscreen, and no board review/checking - it's run >as sent. 0-9 SqIn bd. Price is $80.00 (plus shipping) for two bds (min >qty). Add $10 for a board size similar to the board from Olimex. > >Advanced Circuits (www.4pcb.com): >Similar specs but much larger (up to 85 sq-in, but no de-panelizing?), >5-day turnaraound, and a minimum qty of 3 bds: $99.00 (plus shipping). > >e-Protos at (www.eprotos.com): >Similar specs, 45 sq-in max/ 14" max. 5-day turn, Min qty 5 bds. >$95.00 (plus shipping). > >Sierra Proto Express (www.2justforyou.com): >Similar specs, Turnaround 4 days, 10 Sq-in (25sq-in same price?), >no-design-check, ($20 service charge?), 2-board minimum... >$88.00 (plus shipping). > >e-TekNet (www.e-teknet.com): >Similar specs, Turnaround 8 days typical (3 days to 6 weeks min/max?), 12 >Sq-in (3" x 4"), 4 bds min, 55 sq-in, ... >$91.96 (plus shipping). > >Others? Thoughts? >Thanks! > > >--------------------------------- >Do you Yahoo!? >Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software > >-- >http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? 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