Recommendation for PCB fab?

[Nca78]

@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.

[mtiutiu]

@NeverDie

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

[gohan]

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

[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

[tbowmo]

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

[gohan]

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

[NeverDie]

@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?

[gohan]

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

[NeverDie]

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.

[scalz]

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.

[tbowmo]

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

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

[gohan]

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

[scalz]

@gohan
maybe you can find some more howtos on google, here is one:
https://hackaday.io/project/19202-small-pcbs-for-panelizing-tutorial/log/59210-panelization-using-gerberpanelizer-on-windows-linux-possible

[NeverDie]

I placed an order with Elecrow just now. $9.70 for ten boards delivered seems like a bargain. I'll make another post once they're delivered so that we'll have a record of how long it takes to receive.

I'll try the panelizing approach with dirtypcb's sometime soon. It sounds like a fantastic deal also.

Thanks everybody for your suggestions!

[Yveaux]

@NeverDie said in Recommendation for PCB fab?:

I'll try the panelizing approach with dirtypcb's sometime soon. It sounds like a fantastic deal also.

Let us know if you need any help with it!

[NeverDie]

@NeverDie said in Recommendation for PCB fab?:

I placed an order with Elecrow just now. $9.70 for ten boards delivered seems like a bargain. I'll make another post once they're delivered so that we'll have a record of how long it takes to receive.

I'll try the panelizing approach with dirtypcb's sometime soon. It sounds like a fantastic deal also.

Thanks everybody for your suggestions!

I received the Elecrow boards today. Wow, just 17 days from order until receipt. 10 boards for $9.70 total, including shipping. Much cheaper than OSH-PARK, and only a few days extra. :)

[gohan]

@NeverDie how much are the boards and the shipping costs?

[NeverDie]

@gohan Third sentence immediately above.

[gerritv]

Very pleased with my Elecrow order as well. This is the first pcb I designed since the 1980's when you taped up the art work by hand :-)

[NeverDie]

One visible difference though is that the elecrow pads are silvery in color, whereas the OSH Park pads are brass/gold in color:

Does it matter?

Also, the OSH Park boards have the annoying mouse bites, whereas the Elecrow are nice smooth edges.