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So I downloaded it a fiddled a mite, IMO Express PCB is easier to use for this casual user.

Prices look a bit better with PCB123. I think I'll stick with them long enough to try a batch some time, but for the time being I'll recommend Express PCB......

Doug Owen
 
Both companies are owned by the same corporation. They just have different goals. Express's goal is to make quick prototypes, PCB123 is to provide a way for new or smaller operators to lay out and have manufactured quality PCBs.

This link will take you to the main page that covers all of ECD PCB makers.
http://www.ecd.com/cbf/

I looked into using Express PCB, but did not use them. They use a limited number of drill sizes. This means that your drill files may have to be changed along with pad sizes to have a board pass the electronic error check. This is not bad if you start off knowing the drills to use in you footprints, but if you did not have this list from the start it is going to be a real pain to make all the changes.
 
[ QUOTE ]
carbonsparky said:
Both companies are owned by the same corporation. They just have different goals.

[/ QUOTE ]

Careful here, we're talking about *ExpressPCB*, you're talking about *PCBExpress*, two different companies it would seem.

As I said, after looking at both softwares, I believe ExpressPCB's is superior for the casual user.

For sure they are different.

Doug Owen
 
Vote for ExpressPCB here. We've had a few batches of oddball stuff cranked out and they've worked well. Software a definite plus..

Yours, drs the ded.
 
For PCB123/PCBexpress I think their minimum dimensions are 7 mil (0.1778 mm) spacing, 7 mil (0.1778mm)trace. They only use english units though.

PCBexpress will take Gerbers from pretty much any program that can spit out 274X format files.

PCB123/PCBexpress also has their PCBPro version, for actual companies doing high quality or volume orders. http://www.pcbpro.com/pcb_library.php

www.pcbexpress.com has two layer 11 dollar each special. Don't know the details.

They are a 10 minute drive for me, I get all my raw clad boards there, and they found me some 4oz. copper clad for some high power switching supply work I was doing.

Don't know much about their quality. I'm gonna send a board to the express place and see how it goes. Kinda cool, send it in one day, pick it up the next day.
 
Thanks for the info, guys. I just tried ExpressPCB and I like it so far. I just designed a board but I haven't sent it in to be manufactured yet.

I'm concerned about the hole sizes mentioned above. I assume any sizes in the pad drop down list are acceptable. Do I assume wrong?

I would think that they would charge for each hole drilled, but apparently not. My circuit takes up less than half of the 3.8 x 2.5 board. I could cut and paste the thing and have two made on each board. But as I'm going to get three boards, and I don't need any more than that, I'm thinking of covering the rest of the board with a .1 inch grid of pads, like a wire wrap board, instead of leaving it blank.

I guess that would be okay, wouldn't it?
 
Tell ya what, sell me the space.

PM me and you can send me your files, I'll add some of the stuff I'm messing with and we can work out a deal for both of us?

Doug Owen
 
Hey, Doug. What a great idea!! That might be a good thing to do down the road as well, if anyone has a small proto order and has space available, or one of those board deals where a 12sq" board's the same price as an 18sq" board or such. For the same $$ and an extra cut, you get 'freeish' boards..

Have been thinking about a small board run that that may work well with..

Anyway, keep on moddin'!

DRS the crazed..
 
If you have your own schematic capture & PCB software to generate gerber files, a very cheap PCB house is barebonespcb.
They charge a fixed $25 setup plus 50c per sq inch. Their handling/shipping is $14 for UPS ground - they are located in Colorado. Their website allows you to quote your board(s) - and you electronically send them the gerbers. They are part of a larger company that does production boards. The barebones boards have no silkscreen and no solder mask.

I just ran a single proto and it cost me $43 TOTAL for a single 4"x4" double sided board. AND they sent a t-shirt with the board. They let you panelize and can handle pretty fine design rules (7mil tracks and clearance with 20mil holes was no problem).

Highly recommended.

george.
 
Anybody know where there might be free or low cost schematic capture and PCB software to generate gerber files?
 
I'm just an amateur. I played around with the Eagle software for years and decided I'm too dim witted to handle it. It's easier for me to just use wire-wrap style boards and connect the holes by soldering lengths of wire-wrap wire between the holes.

The ExpressPCB is more my style, and I think I will stick with it.

Doug, that's a good offer but you had better not wait for me. Although I have the circuit done, I want to think about mounting holes, connector polarization, etc. This project is going on the back burner for a couple of weeks.
 
I've used ExpressPCB to make some boards with extremely fine, closely spaced traces and really tiny VIAs, and everything came out perfectly - no solder bridges on the traces or drilling misalignments on the board. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
Well, since I last posted here on the subject, I have sent quite a number of boards to PCB123, and have been very happy with them.

Any other board houses for hobbyists, folks would like to recommend, since we last discussed this?
 
It's nice to know ways to get production-grade PCBs. Nice if people can combine orders, especially for people like me (non-US, small-quantity).

Thanks for the info.
 
milkyspit said:
Anybody know where there might be free or low cost schematic capture and PCB software to generate gerber files?
Click to expand...
I am using
DesignSuite Freeware Edition 9 by Electronics Workbench
from http://www.electronicsworkbench.com

I am still in the 45 day period so I can use autorouting but I think it will still be great without autorouting. Schematic capture and auto placement should still work.
matthew
p.s. I handles odd shaped boards circles etc. but takes a little digging to sort out how to set them up. PM me if you need help.
p.p.s. I have not yet worked out how to define my own footprints for special components.

Limitations of the Freeware Edition
===================================
The freeware editions of the software have certain limitations
that differ from the purchased Professional and PowerPro versions.

A connection to the internet is required in order to use the
simulation and autorouting features of the tools. If you are using a proxy server, please see the instructions at the end of this document.

For 45 days after the first use the user will have access to
simulation and autorouting capabilities. After the initial 45 day
period, the software will be limited to schematic capture and layout.

Designs created with the DesignSuite Freeware Edition 9.0 are
limited to a maximum of 50 components or of 750 footprint pins and
constrained to 2 layer boards.
 
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