At 08:43 AM 6/1/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>A long time ago...in a fab house far away.....
>
>I cost extra to do a single sided board vs double.
>Talking like 15+ years ago, where boards were done
>with mylar tape...
>
>Now days, most fab houses start with double clad board
>and so it all gets etched off anyway, and to photo
>mask both sides is pretty much in the noise.  Only
>additional costs are plating the holes, again, pretty
>cheap now.

Yes, the difference is probably more in the photoplotting and setup
rather than the per-board costs with most board houses. It's hardly worth
worrying much about these days. The difference between 2 and 4 layers is
far more.

>Before just blindly going down the path of forcing to
>single sided board, make sure it warrents the cost.
>Of course, if your etching yourself, guess thats a
>different story.

Or if you're buying a stamped single-sided board in *large* quantity.
There, the process is completely different (typically done in a different
factory entirely, even if its the same company) and the cost difference can be
quite impressive. All the holes and the outline created in one quick press
operation. The holes are too rough to plate through, but it's possible to
make double-sided boards of dubious reliability using low-temperature-
cured gunk deposited in the holes (as used in some TV remotes, for example).

But for 1,000 boards or whatever? F'getaboutit.

Best regards,

Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..."            "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.com
->> Inexpensive test equipment & parts http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZspeff


-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist