PCB fabrication (outsourcing)
Outsourcing PCB fabrication is to have PCBs professionally produced from the files output by your EDA software.
Advantages
This method might seem more expensive, however in the long term it isn't. Professionally produced PCBs can offer much higher quality, with options such as multiple layers, soldermask, plated through vias and silkscreen. These will make assembly easier and save time that might otherwise be spent on debugging potentially low-quality and unreliable PCBs.
List of cheaper PCB Manufacturers
A company with the lowest price for one size board won’t have the lowest price for other sizes.
- Screenbond Based in the UK. 1 and 2 layer, low tooling cost and cheap for standard turnrounds.[1]
- PCBYA Very cheap pcb house for prototypes.[1]
- ITead Studio Very cheap two layer prototype service.[1][2]
- Seeed Studio Cheap two layer prototype service with thickness and surface finish options.[1]
- PCBYA Very cheap pcb house for prototypes.[1]
- DF Robot Very good Quality, up to 4 Layers, very cheap.[1]
- OSH Park[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f PCB Manufacturers on EEVBlog wiki
- ^ PCB Prototyping and Fabrication, StackExchange Electrical Engineering
- ^ Finding the cheapest board house by Brian Benchoff, Hack A Day, 30 January 2013
Further reading
- Build Your Own Printed Circuit Board by Al Williams, Tab, 2003, ISBN 9780071427838, Chapter 10
External links
- PCB Manufacturers on EEVBlog wiki
- PCB Price Comparison, a calculator showing the prices for prototype PCBs from different manufacturers