Cheapest way of manufacturing Small pcb's

[allen2688]

Hey! Brand new to this forum, and i had question to ask you guys
I have been working on button boxes for sim racing (a box that contains various buttons and converts them into a computer interface update for games) and had some ideas of making a oscillating strobe light kit to sell because all these type of cool button box add-on's tend to sell really nicely in the racing community.
I have the whole circuit designed (file below, I used a java circuit simulator)
And i want to get you're advice on the build, what would work better exc.
And how can I manufacture these relatively cheap to sell them.

Thanks!

[DarkStar]

I would suggest using Upverter to design your circuit board, then you can export the files to a board format that a small manufacturer like OSH Park can use.

[gman4925]

Check out seeed studio
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/fusion-pcb-service-p-835.html
We used OSH park once and I wasn't impressed with the boards, seeed are great and cheap and relatively fast, approx 5 days from ordering to shipping.

[dacrawf]

I recently used OSH park for a relatively simple board (1 resistor, 1 LEM current transducer, and a some screw terminals). I thought the quality of the board was pretty good. I have three of these boards in service with ~4 amps going through the traces connected to the current transducer and I have had no problem with the boards.

[allen2688]

Thanks a ton guys!

[Greyersting]

The absolute cheapest way would probably be drawing traces with sharpie then using ferric chloride to etch.
This way is not very good though.  Toner transfer is more accurate.

Edit: Never mind I didn't see that you were going to be selling them.

[poorchava]

Cheapest way is doing it yourself. Basic setup for homemade pcbs is rather inexpensive.

Best bang-per-buck is mostly likely Elecrow, Itead, Seeed and Elecfreaks (and maybe OSHpark if you need something special).

If you're doing THT designs you can do like 80% of pcb's at home. Even higher power stuff is no problem as you can easily buy 2oz laminate on auction sites (thicker copper types are a bit harder to find).

Actually you can even do small runs of PCBs at home (I've once made ~80 40x55mm single sided pcbs for a guy). Provided you have some way of accurately drilling holes.

[jbe]

I've made good experience with iteadstudio.

For some crude prototyping i often make the boards myself.

Its even possible without a photolithographic process, all you need is some glossy (magazine-)paper and a laserprinter, as well as an iron (the one used for shirts, that is )

Here are the steps:

- Clean a bare PCB with acetone
- laserprint your pcb-design onto the glossy paper
- let you iron warm up (i've got good results with mine set to abour 3/4 power)
- carefully align the pcb onto the printout
- wrap it around the edges and tack the paper in place with some sticky tape
- flip the board over, so that the copper (with the printout on top) is facing upwards
- proceed to iron very firmly
- when you can see traces shining through immerse the board in water (adding some soap will help; bath-cleaning "stuff" works a treat)
- let it soak for a few minutes
- begin to rub off the paper

you'll then end up with the traces printing onto the copper. as last step you can cure the print by heating it up a little, reflowing the toner.

The very last step then is to etch the board in e.g. Iron-III-Cloride.


Using this technique i managed to get reasonably fine pitches (e.g. a trace running underneath a 0806-resistor or a sot-23 device).

Good Luck!

[Jon Chandler]

I think Elecrow is unique among the low cost Chinese providers in providing v-scoring.  You can panelize as many boards as will fit on a 100mm x 100mm panel and for a charge of $25 plus a small adder for the number of boards per panel, you'll receive 10 panels of snap-apart boards.

[hedgewallace]

Dave has made a few videos on how to minimize the cost of pcb's.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8D3B363139B67FF3

If you are only going to make a few, it would be easier and cheaper to make them yourself.

If you are going to be making lots of pcb's, it would be cheaper and easier to send your design off to a pcb manufacturing place, such as circuit labs. Dave has used circuit labs before, and you can see his opinion here:

When you get to buying the components, it is much cheaper to buy them in bulk packs.

[hedgewallace]

I think Elecrow is unique among the low cost Chinese providers in providing v-scoring.  You can panelize as many boards as will fit on a 100mm x 100mm panel and for a charge of $25 plus a small adder for the number of boards per panel, you'll receive 10 panels of snap-apart boards.

Chinese board manufacturing is pretty cheap, but you can have very long postage times due to coming from China. Chinese boards would be less quality, but the boards should still be fully functional.

If you don't mind long postage times, and slightly less quality boards, go ahead! 

[mcotis]

Being in the US, OSHPark is about 12 days from the time I click order to the time I get it too my door.
The quality of OSHPark is good.
I feel my initial orders a few years ago were ok, but lately they seem top notch.

BTW, What turn around times have US buyers gotten from SeeedStudio?

[wholder]

I would suggest using Upverter to design your circuit board, then you can export the files to a board format that a small manufacturer like OSH Park can use.

I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestion to use OSH Park.  The service is fast (usually less than 2 weeks) and the boards are top notch.

Wayne

[allen2688]

Thanks ill defiantly give OHS park a try! Would you guys suggest digikey to order the parts for it?

[GingGangGooly]

I also recommend OSH Park. Although it takes ~4 weeks to get my PCB's, the cost is a major factor for me as I have not found anyone near them on price & quality

[nemo000111]

Add another vote for OSH Park.  I've used them and aside from some issue with the silk screen, the quality has been good and the turnaround relatively fast.  Personally, I prefer mouser over digikey (better searching and somewhat better prices at times), but both work.

[allen2688]

Ok thanks for the tip nemo