Anyone tried "hello proto" PCB service?

[neutron7]

Iwas wondering if anyone has tried this?

I found it on ebay. you email them gerber and nc in UK then they send it off to china and it comes back in a week or so.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/PCB-Printed-Circu...QQcmdZViewItem

it is MUCH cheaper than expresspcb etc. probably as cheap as making boards yourself.

[MikeBarton]

I currently have some winging their way to me from China.
Its the 1st time I've had some manufactured (I'm quite new around here) so I'm not sure I'll be able to give much insight as to how they compare to others.

I'll see if I can get a photo up here when they turn up.

Mike

[pinkmouse]

Please do, I would be interested in seeing them.

[Christer]

Have you checked out Olimex? They are cheaper as far as I can see.
http://www.olimex.com/pcb/

[lineup]

Originally posted by Christer
Have you checked out Olimex? They are cheaper as far as I can see.
http://www.olimex.com/pcb/

I think this could be a good option.
And this Bulgarian company has existed for 15 years now.
And has a rather many costumers.
So I think it is trustworthy and reliable.

http://www.olimex.com/about.html

General Information

Olimex Ltd is private company,
with capability to design, prototype and manufacture
- printed circuit boards,
- sub-assemblies and
- complete electonic products.

The company is established in 1991 in Plovdiv - the second biggest city in Bulgaria.
.................
Olimex is recognized as 3rd party hardware developer from
- Texas Instruments Inc.,
- Maxim-Dallas Inc.,
- Atmel Inc.,
- Philips Semiconductors Inc.,
- ST Microelectronics Inc.,
- IAR Systems AB,
- Cirrus Logic Inc. ,
- OKI Semiconductor Inc.
...and have over 3000 active customer accounts
which regularly use our services for electronic boards development and prototyping.

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[dietcoke]

Only reason I never used olimex is their requirement that you fax your credit info to them. I don't have a landline (for 5 years now) and I can't think of any other company that does this.

[lineup]

Originally posted by dietcoke
... olimex is their requirement that you fax your credit info to them ...

sounds a bit strange and difficult
not all have a fax or can send fax

they not accept email?

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[cliffforrest]

Originally posted by lineup


sounds a bit strange and difficult
not all have a fax or can send fax

they not accept email?

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There are internet fax services available.

I could not see any reference to PTH. Was this carefully avoided or asumed ??

[paulb]

Originally posted by cliff


I could not see any reference to PTH. Was this carefully avoided or asumed ??

What is PTH, plated through-hole? Their prototype boards have it. I used Olimex for my JLH amp and were quite satisfied. However, there are no small components on this board. I know others here have used them, try a search for more info.
Also, Olimex built the STR9 microcontroller eval board we are using at work, and it looks fine.

[lineup]

Originally posted by cliff

I could not see any reference to PTH. Was this carefully avoided or asumed ??

PaulB - yes I just learned by search with google that
PTH = Plated-Through-Hole

Not only do they support PTH at www.Olimex.com
they also give good and very detailed design tips!
based on 15 years doing thing like this for custumers.

------------ quote ----------------------------------------------------------

#1 Silkscreen Outlines
Don't place silkscreen outlines on the solder pad area
Use silkscreen line widths which meet your PCB manufacturer's requirements.

#2 Holes

If the board is double sided the plating will decrease the holes with 0,1 mm

The component lead - hole clearance have to be 0,2 - 0,4 mm

If your board will be assembled by automat use clearance in the upper limit.

Clearance > 0,5 mm may cause unfilled pads (especially for single side PCB)

Clearance < 0,3 mm for PTH boards make difficults flux gases to escape and
may cause unfilled pads by machine soldering. (well this pretty well depend on the flux used)

Try to standartize the hole sizes you are using,
don't use many drill sizes with 0,1 mm difference, or be ready to pay for this

Schematic Routing
Use TOP view when design boards with only PTH components and
BOTTOM view when design with only SMT components

#3 Pads
If you are designing single side board use bigger pads as they have to keep the component's load.
We recommend you anual rings about 40-50 mils if the board is single side and exposed to vibrations.
Use oblonged or rectangular pads to enlarge the pad area for IC and components with the board is densite.
Use thermal bridges when the pads are in copper area.
The minimum annual ring (pad-hole) have to be = hole + 2 * min track width of your PCB manufacturer.

---------------- quote --------------------------------
websource: http://www.olimex.com/pcb/dfm.html


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