Hi guys,

I've just finished prototyping and initial customer testing for one of=20
my designs, and I have about a dozen beta-testers who have signed off on=20
it -- "this is what we want, we like it". The hardware design is proven,=20
the bugs have been found (and eliminated) and I want to move on with the=20
project.

The catch is, it's currently taking two DAYS to make a single one of=20
these boards. I just can't make them quick enough. Ramping up production=20
would involve buying some seriously expensive kit... pick-and-place,=20
solder paste placement, SMD ovens... you get the idea.

So what I want to do is outsource the manufacturing. The problem is,=20
I've yet to find a reputable supplier who will even talk to me. The=20
responses I've gotten so far basically fall into one of several categories:

   * "We don't deal with SMEs or freelance consultants." (shockingly=20
common, even with an offer to pay up front via BACS or credit card)
   * "We're not interested in any less than <x>-off qty" (where x is=20
between 1k and 10k units)
   * "We're already making a product for someone else that's similar to=20
yours, and we don't want them to throw a hissy fit."
   * Utterly insane prices (=A31800 per board if I supply PCBs and parts,=20
no through-hole parts mounted, 100off qty, no discount for higher qtys..=20
I could buy a P&P machine and DIY it for less than that)


The board specs are:

   Two QFPs -- one 0.4mm-pitch 144pin FPGA, one 84pin 0.6mm pitch PIC.
   One QFN -- a TI TPS75003 power management chip
   About 50 passives, mostly 0603, one or two 0805. Only a couple of=20
different values though; most of these parts are 10n and 100n decoupling=20
caps.
   Four through-hole parts: a 40pin R/A IDC header with latches, a=20
Switchcraft DC power connector, a resistor array and a B-type USB socket=20
(the square one listed in the USB spec as "for target devices").
   PCB -- 160x100 double sided 1oz FR4, 7/7 thou track/space. Gold=20
Phoenix design rules, EAGLE or Gerber/RS274X+Excellon format source files.

Does anyone know of any reputable manufacturers who could assemble=20
something like this at a reasonable price?
Target quantity is 25 to 50 to start with (initial production run).=20
Final intended quantity is around 250 units if sales go as projected...

Thanks,
--=20
Phil.
piclist@philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/

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