jim@trsvax.UUCP (12/28/88)
Last time I did PC-board fab estimation stuff for design, the shops wanted lots of stuff I didn't realize mattered until I thought about it. How many holes will need to be drilled OF EACH SIZE HOLE - since different diameter holes are used for resistors, terminals, and potentiometers. Have you already done an optimized layout? If not, SmartWARE(tm) (by Wintek I think) is a nice little package. If you are only doing a board or two I think it is BADLY overpriced - 'borrow' a copy if you can. For really small boards, hand layout can be faster than automated routing. Double sided (or single sided with 'jumpers') makes a BIG difference! If they don't have to line-up both negatives and through-plate the holes they don't charge as much, obviously. I have seen several boards with little wires soldered into EACH hole used to pass a trace from one side to the other - not a good idea if you are using lotsa IC sockets! It is very difficult to solder under the socket to attach the component- side traces to the chips. Hope this rambling helps! '73 James T. Wyatt UUCP:decvax!microsoft!trsvax!rwsys!jim KA5VJL