Petition to JLC PCB - Please sign!

[ssashton]

I recently found that JLC PCB have ZERO connectors in their parts library for SMT assembly.

See for yourself: jlcpcb.com/parts

If you have used JLC PCB you will probably know how affordable their assembly service is for prototypes. I'm not affiliated with them, but I'm happy to say the assembly service has saved me many hours sticking SMT parts on small batches of boards.

Their parts library has loads of good bits from R,C,L, common voltage references and op-amps to to micro-controllers... but for some reason no wire-to-board connectors. Like what?!

Please sign my petition (or this thread) to encourage JLC PCB to stock some connectors. *They MUST be SMT, not through hole*


Petition here: http://chng.it/mRpSd2Nc

Also, please list a few connector types you would most like to see.

I would like to see:

IDC Box Headers
JST (style) XH headers
Basic Pin Headers


All stocked by their sister company LCSC.

[Wilksey]

I must admit I thought it a bit odd that they do not offer to fit all SMT parts that LCSC can supply, I get THT would be done by hand etc so not worth their while, some parts are extended but it'd be nice to have that option, yet you can order the bits they don't fit and get them delivered with your board just not assembled on the board, I'm sure there is a reason for it, like they only offer assembly of one side, i'm sure in time it'll come that they offer all parts and both sides.

[ssashton]

They will keep the library parts loaded on cartridges for the assembly machines, so it takes them off the shelf for other LCSC customers and they are probably on a different physical site. So I understand not offering the full range.

However, at least give us a couple of wire to board connectors. Who designs a PCB without connecting it to anything; not even a DC barrel jack or a USB port?

[niconiconi]

I can only wish you luck.

In China, a large number of users have been requesting JLCPCB to add SMT connectors for literally years, the complaints date back to at least 2017  . The only answer is "we'll consider to introduce it in the next stage of the project". And these requests in question were not just asking for a bunch of random SMT connectors, but merely a USB connector, yet to this day, it's still unsupported. The only conclusion we can draw is that: not supporting SMT connectors is an intentional decision, possibly due to manufacturing reasons.

[phil from seattle]

They are moving (have moved?) to a larger facility so will have more room to add more components to their library. Whether they will add connectors is anybody's guess but they've been getting that input for years.  I would welcome it but am certainly not waiting for them to do something.

Probably the best way to motivate them is to show them that they have lost business because of it.  A petition? I suspect they chuckle over that.

[ssashton]

They wouldn't chuckle if it had a couple thousand signatures!

Where's that click farm?

[NiHaoMike]

Naomi Wu has some relations with them. Perhaps she might be able to help?

Who designs a PCB without connecting it to anything; not even a DC barrel jack or a USB port?

Can their assembly process handle hybrid through hole/surface mount parts? Purely SMD connectors that interface to the outside are infamous for breaking easily.

[ejeffrey]

They wouldn't chuckle if it had a couple thousand signatures!

Where's that click farm?

A few thousand signatures of presumed existing customers (i.e., you didn't already give up and take your business elsewhere) that starts with a hyperbolic claim that "This is a human rights violation against all electronics engineers"?  I think they will chuckle.

Seriously I wouldn't sign that even if I cared about the problem.

How can PCB designers be expected to create a PCB without connecting it to anything?

Use T/H connectors and hand solder them when you receive the boards?  I get that having some SMT connectors would be nice, but it isn't like there is no solution to this problem.

[ssashton]

I think the way they keep assembly cost low is by strictly doing SMT stuff.

Through hole is a seperate process and usually done by hand for less than a few hundred PCBs (inducing far higher risk of errors). It is not offered as standard.

I've mentioned this to Naomi and she said she'll pass on the request. I'm sure the more people who show they want this, the more seriously JLC will take it.

[ssashton]

Woohoo! JLC respond!

Probably more to do with taking to Naomi than anything.

[RobBarter]

Following this thread in GREAT anticipation.  Please, at least a USB connector

[niconiconi]

Woohoo! JLC respond!

Probably more to do with taking to Naomi than anything.

Naomi, our savior! 

...On the flip side, this reply ("we plan to...") is largely identical to the previous responses. Considering they claim they're currently upgrading their SMT capabilities, I really hope it's the real deal this time. Time will tell. 

[tooki]

They wouldn't chuckle if it had a couple thousand signatures!

Where's that click farm?

A few thousand signatures of presumed existing customers (i.e., you didn't already give up and take your business elsewhere) that starts with a hyperbolic claim that "This is a human rights violation against all electronics engineers"?  I think they will chuckle.

Seriously I wouldn't sign that even if I cared about the problem.

Oh wow. I hadn’t clicked the petition because I don’t care, but... wow.

Calling it a “human rights violation” is not just hyperbolic, it’s outright offensive, given the real human rights abuses that continue to happen around the world.

[S. Petrukhin]

There are no SMT factories in the UK that do not violate human rights? 
Why don't you contact another manufacturer? If your installation order is 1000+ PCB, I think you will find it easy.