does anyone here design and layout pcb boards ?

[visiting guest]

.
did i post this in correct forum ?

 

[firworks]

I don't think there really is a correct forum for that but I do from time to time. Mostly guitar pedals and similar.

 

[kd3pc]

there are a couple of one off, small shops that have a cad package for you to use, do the design and then they make a couple of prototypes. Maker Space and QST magazine (ARRL.NET) usually have ads or links to them.

I have used them in the past, and they do very professional work, and the price is decent. Far circuits is one (http://www.farcircuits.net) and there are others.

The other way is homemade, photo resist, or manhattan/bug style or just old fashioned tape layout for just a front back feedthrough board. Multi layer, the shops are better. And you don't have to mess with chemicals and that side of the show.

 

[gayler]

Just put eyelets in a fiber board and solder in you components old school like Leo did.

 

[bullnerd]

I used to do tape layouts on switching power supplies back in about 88-89 when I was doing manual drafting! LOL! Havnt done it since.

Good luck.

Info on what your doing?

 

[Guster]

Yes. I use use EaglePCB free version and etch them using the laser toner transfer method. Also still have a large supply of Letraset transfers I sometimes use for small things. Veroboard and protoboard for one-offs or prototypes. Mostly traditional components, nothing using major surface mount components yet. Mostly interface and daughter boards lately.

Depending on where you are located there are some great services to make them for you and the cost makes it almost not worth the time to source and stock materials to etch them. Little cost prohibitive for me though.

Another option is to engrave them using a CNC router which is sometimes the better option for heavy duty high power boards.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Try BasicPCB.com


No personal experience.

 

[Burgerkong]

I do, mainly for guitar pedals though (using EAGLE). I then send them off to various fab houses dependant on my needs (cost, features, size, etc...):

http://pcbshopper.com/

 

[firworks]

I've used OSHPark a lot and they are great. Really high quality boards and pretty cheap prices I think. You also get 3 boards instead of just one.

View media item 64008
Boards are ENIG plated, and the fab house they use is in the US. Also if you are working in EagleCAD you can just upload your Eagle files to their website and you don't have to mess with anything. It shows you a board preview and you can order.

I should note, they are really expensive for production board runs (lots of boards) but for one offs / designing it's good.

 

[Burgerkong]

I've used OSHPark a lot and they are great. Really high quality boards and pretty cheap prices I think. You also get 3 boards instead of just one.

View media item 64008
Boards are ENIG plated, and the fab house they use is in the US. Also if you are working in EagleCAD you can just upload your Eagle files to their website and you don't have to mess with anything. It shows you a board preview and you can order.

I should note, they are really expensive for production board runs (lots of boards) but for one offs / designing it's good.

I originally wanted to do my boards with OSHPark, but prices are pretty pricey. You do get the neat preview screens, but the square inch charge really adds up. I use these guys now since they do what OSHPark does and more (V cuts, slots!) plus super cheap and you can pick mask colour:

http://www.elecrow.com/services/pcb-prototyping.html

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

What are PCB boards?

 

[firworks]

I originally wanted to do my boards with OSHPark, but prices are pretty pricey. You do get the neat preview screens, but the square inch charge really adds up. I use these guys now since they do what OSHPark does and more (V cuts, slots!) plus super cheap and you can pick mask colour:

http://www.elecrow.com/services/pcb-prototyping.html

OSHPark can do plated and unplated slots, but yeah they won't do V cuts. Only mouse bites. Maybe I'll try those guys out for a design this winter to see how it works out. It does look like there's a pretty substantial upcharge for ENIG. Not that it's needed for guitar pedals but it's so nice.

 

[Burgerkong]

OSHPark can do plated and unplated slots, but yeah they won't do V cuts. Only mouse bites. Maybe I'll try those guys out for a design this winter to see how it works out. It does look like there's a pretty substantial upcharge for ENIG. Not that it's needed for guitar pedals but it's so nice.

Yeah? I keep on reading that it's still a 50/50, not officially supported by the fab house they use. Yes, ENIG is super, super nice, but a bit overkill for me personally - I tend to design/layout boards so all the pads are used up which helps with the corrosion issue. Even with the surcharge it's $25.40 for 5 boards with a 10cm x 10cm max which is a lot cheaper than the $77 OSH wants for 3 boards!

 

[Barrymaxx]

What are PCB boards?

I think similar to ATM machines

 

[dogdog]

Interesting topic, have any one tried or build one of those
"diy pcb milling machine" I saw them earlier in the 2010's....

 

[gte718p]

Interesting topic, have any one tried or build one of those
"diy pcb milling machine" I saw them earlier in the 2010's....

That is one of the reason I built my CNC mill. It is a bit of overkill, but works great. There are a couple of draw backs. You obviously can't do multiple layers and you don't have the silk screening and masking. Masking is nice when putting everything together but not necessary. Silk screening is really helpful when you go to hook something up months latter and can't remember which line is which.

I generally us SEEED's fab shop. They are a good balance of price, quality, and timeliness.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272009

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

All about circuits has a nice board.

 

[ihatelaramie]

What are PCB boards?

Printed Circuit Board

 

[Burgerkong]

Printed Circuit Board

****'s just being a **** and wanted to draw out attention to how PCB boards = printed circuit board boards. We should drop the extra board and refer to them as just PCB's. But that's just ****.

 

[visiting guest]

i want a new mass produce board
with a different look than i am using .

and also would like to find a reasonable cost heatsink cnc source.

 

[TheBum]

I use Fritzing for PCB design and Seeed Studio for the PCB prototype.
Fritzing is often used to create the images you see in magazines.
Looked in to UK based PCB manufacturer and they're expensive. Seedstudio is $9.99 for 10 x 10cm x 10cm 2 layer PCB

 

[PeterJohn48115]

Hi...i am a new user here. I use use EaglePCB free version and etch them using the laser toner transfer method. Also still have a large supply of Letraset transfers I sometimes use for small things. Veroboard and protoboard for one-offs or prototypes. Mostly traditional components, nothing using major surface mount components yet. Mostly interface and daughter boards lately.Depending on where you are located there are some great services to make them for you and the cost makes it almost not worth the time to source and stock materials to etch them. Little cost prohibitive for me though.

one-stop pcb

 

[DaveIRL]

mbed ardunio raspberry pi are great tool programmable boards. raspberry pi and ardunio have a great base where users put their code online. its a great way for prototype quickly