MEHARP01@ulkyvx.BITNET (Michael Harpe) (02/16/91)
Where does one go when he needs a "small" quantity of PC boards made up? I'm talking about small, double-sided boards, not multi-layer 12" X 12" NeXT machine boards :-). I know there must be a place than can do this. I am working on a project that will need a PC board (uses DRAMs and other high speed circuitry) so i'd like to know what this will cost and whether it's feasible at all. I'm a rookie at this, so forgive me if this is a stupid/common/"You oughta know that by now" kind of question. I noticed a couple of places in Circuit Cellar Ink but I didn't get the impression that they make small quantities. Please respond directly to me. If I get responses with wide appeal, i'll summarize to the net. BTW, thanks to all for the sync generator tips, I have what I need now! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Harpe, N4PLE | BITNET: MEHARP01@ULKYVX North Computer Center | VOICE: 502-588-6882 University of Louisville | FAX: 502-588-5055 Louisville, KY 40292 | AURAL: "Mike!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
reid@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Reid Trimble) (02/20/91)
> MEHARP01@ulkyvx.BITNET (Michael Harpe) / 11:52 am Feb 15, 1991 / > Where does one go when he needs a "small" quantity of PC boards made up? I'm > talking about small, double-sided boards, not multi-layer 12" X 12" NeXT > machine boards :-). I know there must be a place than can do this. I am > working on a project that will need a PC board (uses DRAMs and other high > speed circuitry) so i'd like to know what this will cost and whether it's > feasible at all. ----------- Did you try your local yellow pages? My Denver phone book lists over 30 places under "Printed & Etched Circuits" that would seem to fit your requirements exactly.
gsteckel@vergil.East.Sun.COM (Geoff Steckel - Sun BOS Hardware CONTRACTOR) (02/22/91)
In article <2610002@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM> reid@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Reid Trimble) writes: >> MEHARP01@ulkyvx.BITNET (Michael Harpe) / 11:52 am Feb 15, 1991 / >> Where does one go when he needs a "small" quantity of PC boards made up? I'm >----------- >Did you try your local yellow pages? My Denver phone book lists over 30 >places under "Printed & Etched Circuits" that would seem to fit your >requirements exactly. I've been through this. Usually there are only one or two shops in an area that cater to `prototype' orders - everyone else wants volume, and charges $$ accordingly. Basically, you want the shop which wants your business - not one which is `doing you a favor'. Be prepared to call around until you find the right place. You want to ask about setup costs, minimum orders, turnaround time, pickup&delivery, board outline, drill tapes, gold fingers, inspection, and best input format. You want to prepare your work input for the shop so that they can process it easily and quickly. Setup - $50-100 is good. This depends a lot on whether they have to make a tool to hold your special board. Minimum - Some shops will do `max for min' == as many boards as the minimum fee will cover. The minimum order varies a lot from shop to shop. Turnaround - this varies wildly. One (excellent) shop apologises when they take more than a week for a `normal' job. Many shops consider one month `fast'. Faster work always means more $$ and likelier mistakes. Pickup & delivery - some shops include this in their fee. Often good shops are located in very out-of-the-way places for cheap rent. Drill tape - will the shop hand or machine drill your board? How much and how long for the NC tape for the automatic drill? Board outline - will your board size & shape be easy for the shop to make. Is it a standard size & shape for which they already have tooling? If so, you can save time and money. Gold fingers - (no, not the movie (:-)) If you have a card edge connector on your board, gold plating on the fingers is extra. This can be from $2 to $$$$. You must prepare the traces specially for this (they must all be shorted together. Usually the shorted section is then cut away) Inspection - any reputable shop will inspect your boards. Do you want the rejects? (You may be able to patch them) Best input format - film? floppy for plotting? other? What scale (1:1, 2:1, 4:1)? If you supply artwork in scale other than 1:1, be very sure to mark it PROMINENTLY with a `this mark should be exactly 1 inch (3 cm, etc.) long'. Otherwise you may get some very large boards back. Tooling holes, registration marks, etc: most shops need at least one (typically 1/8") hole per board for their mechanical tooling. Registration marks on your artwork enable the shop to correctly superimpose your layers. It's an industrial process. The more professional you look coming into the process, the more likely you'll get what you want. geoff steckel (gwes@wjh12.harvard.EDU) (...!husc6!wjh12!omnivore!gws) Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Sun Microsystems, despite the From: line. This posting is entirely the author's responsibility.