Skip to content
  • MySensors
  • OpenHardware.io
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
Skins
  • Light
  • Brite
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Brand Logo
  1. Home
  2. General Discussion
  3. Recommendation for PCB fab?

Recommendation for PCB fab?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Discussion
71 Posts 13 Posters 13.8k Views 14 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • Nca78N Offline
    Nca78N Offline
    Nca78
    Hardware Contributor
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    Last time I checked Elecrow had a 5$ shipping option with China Post, if you're ok with green color you can get 10 PCBs for 5$, else it's only 5.

    1 Reply Last reply
    1
    • NeverDieN NeverDie

      I have a not small PCB that I want to have made (let's say 10 copies):
      https://www.openhardware.io/view/436/nRF52832-Breakout-Board

      Seeed Studio can make 10 of them for $5, but the $18 in shipping isn't desirable. On the other hand, it would be cheaper than getting 10 boards done at OSH Park.

      Which good quality fab has both low prices and low shipping costs? Any suggestions?

      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkvidd
      Mod
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      @NeverDie how big is it? Looks like less than 50x50mm? Dirtypcbs' protopack perhaps?

      1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • NeverDieN NeverDie

        I have a not small PCB that I want to have made (let's say 10 copies):
        https://www.openhardware.io/view/436/nRF52832-Breakout-Board

        Seeed Studio can make 10 of them for $5, but the $18 in shipping isn't desirable. On the other hand, it would be cheaper than getting 10 boards done at OSH Park.

        Which good quality fab has both low prices and low shipping costs? Any suggestions?

        YveauxY Offline
        YveauxY Offline
        Yveaux
        Mod
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        @NeverDie I agree with @mfalkvidd.
        Dirty pcbs produces decent quality boards and allows panalization without extra costs.
        I usually combine some designs in a single 10x10 panel, and fill the remaining space with small adapter boards. Cost per pcb will be very low that way.

        http://yveaux.blogspot.nl

        1 Reply Last reply
        3
        • tbowmoT Offline
          tbowmoT Offline
          tbowmo
          Admin
          wrote on last edited by tbowmo
          #5

          @NeverDie

          There are some contradictions here, you want things fast, to have top quality, and won't pay for it.. :)

          http://fastgood.cheap/

          That aside, as others have pointed out.. Look at dirtypcbs.. perhaps even panelizing things, there is an excellent tool available for assembling multiple gerbers into one production file http://blog.thisisnotrocketscience.nl/projects/pcb-panelizer/

          mfalkviddM NeverDieN 2 Replies Last reply
          3
          • tbowmoT tbowmo

            @NeverDie

            There are some contradictions here, you want things fast, to have top quality, and won't pay for it.. :)

            http://fastgood.cheap/

            That aside, as others have pointed out.. Look at dirtypcbs.. perhaps even panelizing things, there is an excellent tool available for assembling multiple gerbers into one production file http://blog.thisisnotrocketscience.nl/projects/pcb-panelizer/

            mfalkviddM Offline
            mfalkviddM Offline
            mfalkvidd
            Mod
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            @tbowmo I fixed it!
            0_1502096941425_IMG_5356.PNG

            1 Reply Last reply
            2
            • tbowmoT tbowmo

              @NeverDie

              There are some contradictions here, you want things fast, to have top quality, and won't pay for it.. :)

              http://fastgood.cheap/

              That aside, as others have pointed out.. Look at dirtypcbs.. perhaps even panelizing things, there is an excellent tool available for assembling multiple gerbers into one production file http://blog.thisisnotrocketscience.nl/projects/pcb-panelizer/

              NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDieN Offline
              NeverDie
              Hero Member
              wrote on last edited by NeverDie
              #7

              @tbowmo said in Recommendation for PCB fab?:

              @NeverDie
              There are some contradictions here, you want things fast, to have top quality, and won't pay for it..

              No. In my OP, I never said "fast." You read something into it that isn't there.

              YveauxY 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • NeverDieN NeverDie

                @tbowmo said in Recommendation for PCB fab?:

                @NeverDie
                There are some contradictions here, you want things fast, to have top quality, and won't pay for it..

                No. In my OP, I never said "fast." You read something into it that isn't there.

                YveauxY Offline
                YveauxY Offline
                Yveaux
                Mod
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                @NeverDie then it's simple : panelized ditypcbs :satisfied:

                http://yveaux.blogspot.nl

                1 Reply Last reply
                1
                • NeverDieN Offline
                  NeverDieN Offline
                  NeverDie
                  Hero Member
                  wrote on last edited by NeverDie
                  #9

                  How does dirtypcb's compare to elecrow? Does Elecrow also let you panelize as well?

                  Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • NeverDieN NeverDie

                    How does dirtypcb's compare to elecrow? Does Elecrow also let you panelize as well?

                    Nca78N Offline
                    Nca78N Offline
                    Nca78
                    Hardware Contributor
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    @NeverDie said in Recommendation for PCB fab?:

                    How does dirtypcb's compare to elecrow? Does Elecrow also let you panelize as well?

                    I only made boards for Livolo switches with them so I couldn't panelize.
                    As they have an option to select number of boards that are panelized that adds additional cost, I suppose they will not let you.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    1
                    • NeverDieN NeverDie

                      I have a not small PCB that I want to have made (let's say 10 copies):
                      https://www.openhardware.io/view/436/nRF52832-Breakout-Board

                      Seeed Studio can make 10 of them for $5, but the $18 in shipping isn't desirable. On the other hand, it would be cheaper than getting 10 boards done at OSH Park.

                      Which good quality fab has both low prices and low shipping costs? Any suggestions?

                      mtiutiuM Offline
                      mtiutiuM Offline
                      mtiutiu
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      @NeverDie

                      For me, elecrow is the best. But you can query this online tool which is very good: https://pcbshopper.com

                      gohanG 1 Reply Last reply
                      3
                      • mtiutiuM mtiutiu

                        @NeverDie

                        For me, elecrow is the best. But you can query this online tool which is very good: https://pcbshopper.com

                        gohanG Offline
                        gohanG Offline
                        gohan
                        Mod
                        wrote on last edited by gohan
                        #12

                        @mtiutiu I tried to use it some time ago, but I didn't find it very accurate... Maybe it was just me

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • NeverDieN Offline
                          NeverDieN Offline
                          NeverDie
                          Hero Member
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          Well, if anyone is in a rush, it sounds like SeeedStudio might be a good choice. @nitroburn ordered 450 boards (I presume they were panelized) on a Saturday, and they were delivered to his door by Wednesday: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/7231/small-nrf24l01-shield-for-esp8266-wemos-d1-mini/6

                          tbowmoT gohanG 2 Replies Last reply
                          0
                          • NeverDieN NeverDie

                            Well, if anyone is in a rush, it sounds like SeeedStudio might be a good choice. @nitroburn ordered 450 boards (I presume they were panelized) on a Saturday, and they were delivered to his door by Wednesday: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/7231/small-nrf24l01-shield-for-esp8266-wemos-d1-mini/6

                            tbowmoT Offline
                            tbowmoT Offline
                            tbowmo
                            Admin
                            wrote on last edited by tbowmo
                            #14

                            @NeverDie
                            that can be done with the other fab house as well, you just have to pay for express service/shipping :)

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • NeverDieN NeverDie

                              Well, if anyone is in a rush, it sounds like SeeedStudio might be a good choice. @nitroburn ordered 450 boards (I presume they were panelized) on a Saturday, and they were delivered to his door by Wednesday: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/7231/small-nrf24l01-shield-for-esp8266-wemos-d1-mini/6

                              gohanG Offline
                              gohanG Offline
                              gohan
                              Mod
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              @NeverDie it took over a month for me with the standard shipping, as 10 days were taken by custom for no apparent reason

                              NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • gohanG gohan

                                @NeverDie it took over a month for me with the standard shipping, as 10 days were taken by custom for no apparent reason

                                NeverDieN Offline
                                NeverDieN Offline
                                NeverDie
                                Hero Member
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                @gohan said in Recommendation for PCB fab?:

                                @NeverDie it took over a month for me with the standard shipping, as 10 days were taken by custom for no apparent reason

                                Which one?

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • gohanG Offline
                                  gohanG Offline
                                  gohan
                                  Mod
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  Seeed studio. The production was done in a few days, but the shipping with singapore post was the usual 3-4 weeks as all the products from China. Next time I'll try dirtypcb and panelize some pcbs in order to optimize the order

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  1
                                  • NeverDieN Offline
                                    NeverDieN Offline
                                    NeverDie
                                    Hero Member
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #18

                                    Elecrow charges extra to panelize, but it wasn't clear to me whether they do panelizing or whether you have to submit already panelized gerbers.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • scalzS Offline
                                      scalzS Offline
                                      scalz
                                      Hardware Contributor
                                      wrote on last edited by scalz
                                      #19

                                      The easiest way, if you want to panelize, for cheap, with mouse bites (drills for breakable), has been explained by tbowmo and yveaux above, by using dirtypcb.

                                      Else that needs some tinkering.

                                      I usually use elecrow, and seeedstudio service too. it's up to you to panelize. ask them maybe they'll do it for free, but not sure. i imagine if all people would ask them this..
                                      And doing this, costs the same as ordering separate design boards (which are already milled..).

                                      So when i want to use their service, and not pay for sub boards, i panelize in one bigger board and separate sub boards with silkscreen lines (not milling) and cut them myself (i have saws for this, circular etc.). If you think to add mouse bites for breakable in this case, that won't be ok. They will ask you to remove them and to fix your panel or use their subboards fee.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • tbowmoT Offline
                                        tbowmoT Offline
                                        tbowmo
                                        Admin
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #20

                                        dirtypcbs support mousebites to separate pcb's, without extra fees..

                                        It seems that the tool from thisisnotrocketscience is tested primarily with dirtypcbs :)

                                        gohanG 1 Reply Last reply
                                        2
                                        • tbowmoT tbowmo

                                          dirtypcbs support mousebites to separate pcb's, without extra fees..

                                          It seems that the tool from thisisnotrocketscience is tested primarily with dirtypcbs :)

                                          gohanG Offline
                                          gohanG Offline
                                          gohan
                                          Mod
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #21

                                          @tbowmo is there any guide on how to use that program?

                                          scalzS 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          16

                                          Online

                                          11.7k

                                          Users

                                          11.2k

                                          Topics

                                          113.1k

                                          Posts


                                          Copyright 2025 TBD   |   Forum Guidelines   |   Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Service
                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • MySensors
                                          • OpenHardware.io
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular