Ordering pcb's vs making them yourself - General Electronics

DocStein99:
Today, I read about ordering PCBs. One company mentioned a price of approximately $10 for ten boards without setup fees. However, I didn't delve deeper to uncover any additional surprise fees associated with it. Therefore, I am curious if anyone can share insights on the costs, time frames, and any other relevant information regarding ordering a small board, roughly the size of a playing card. I am trying to balance the budget for purchasing quality boards against the challenges of creating them myself. If the price of $10 for ten boards is accurate, along with reasonable shipping costs, it may not be worth it for me unless I factor in potential mistakes on my side.

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Each manufacturer has unique pricing structures, so it is essential to conduct your research. For hobby purposes, manufacturers specializing in hobby boards often have a better understanding that not all customers are professional PCB designers.

For example, there's a company in the UK that charges a flat rate based on square centimeters. While it might not be the cheapest option for larger boards, it offers excellent value for smaller boards, including postage.

Aggregation services usually follow similar pricing criteria, primarily focusing on the board's overall area. However, their turnaround times tend to be longer since they need to gather multiple orders to fill a panel.

If your PCB manufacturer is based in China, the costs can be low, but the turnaround times may be longer, and addressing issues becomes more complicated if something goes wrong.

PCB prototypes play a crucial role in developing electronic products, allowing testing for functionality and identifying errors. What should you keep in mind when ordering PCB prototypes? What factors influence the pricing of these services?

• Materials

The material of the PCB is a critical element that affects its quality. Various materials cater to different PCB types. Choosing the right material based on your needs is essential. Common materials include FR-4, Polyimide, Kapton, and Rogers. For PCB prototypes, FR-4 is the standard material, and most manufacturers only offer prototypes using it.

PCBs can be constructed with single, double, or multiple layers—sometimes exceeding two dozen layers.

• • Single-Layer PCB: This type has only one metal layer over the base material, providing electrical paths to components.
  • Double-Layer PCB: This type features metal layers on both sides, also known as a two-sided PCB.
  • Multilayer PCB: These PCBs contain three or more metal layers and are more complex in design.

Typically, copper serves as the metallic layer in PCBs due to its high conductivity and excellent weldability. You can choose the number of layers based on the PCB type and your requirements. Generally, fewer layers result in faster delivery in PCB prototype services.

• Dimensions

Understanding the dimensions and sizes of your PCB is crucial. PCB prototype manufacturers have size limitations and specific maximum sizes they can produce. Calculate your PCB size and determine which manufacturer can accommodate it. Be mindful that maximum sizes may vary according to the PCB type. When designing a PCB, maximize space and aim for smaller dimensions to minimize costs.

With competitive pricing and timely delivery, Shenzhen Thriver Digital Tech Co., Ltd. aims to be your reliable supplier and partner.

Furthermore, the standard shape in PCB manufacturing is rectangular. Opting for irregular shapes can lead to material wastage. Strive for a compact size and available shape to keep costs low. This consideration may be less critical for PCB prototype boards but becomes significant during bulk manufacturing.

• Thickness

The thickness of a PCB corresponds to its width and largely depends on the number of layers selected. Different types of PCBs offer varying thickness ranges. Consult with your manufacturer to determine the appropriate thickness, which can range from as small as 0.1mm to over 8mm.

• Spacing and Width

Conducting lines or traces on PCBs possess specific widths and spacing between them. Each manufacturer establishes minimum limits for spacing and width. A compact design may require advanced technology and could increase costs. At JHY PCB, we offer a minimum diameter and trace spacing of 2.5 mils. Ensure you provide your PCB manufacturer with these specifications.

• Holes

PCBs can include via holes and drilling holes, each serving different purposes. Manufacturers set minimum hole diameter requirements based on PCB types. Be mindful of these specifications as different technologies, including laser drilling, may be used to create these holes.

The solder mask is a polymer layer covering the metallic layer of the PCB, essential for preventing short-circuiting between adjacent traces while protecting the copper underneath. The most common color is green, but many manufacturers offer a variety of colors, such as white, blue, black, red, and yellow, depending on your preferences.

To enhance copper solderability, an additional metallic finish, termed surface finish, can be applied. Various plating techniques, like HASL, HASL Lead-free, flash gold, and ENIG, among others, can be chosen for your prototype. Surface finishes protect copper from oxidation.

• Copper Thickness

The thickness of the copper layer is customizable and is expressed in ounces. It can range from less than 1oz to over 30oz. Choose the thickness that best suits your project needs.

• Silkscreen

The printed markings on PCBs are known as silkscreens. You can select your desired silkscreen color, with standard options being white, black, and yellow. Ensure the printing is clear for easy visibility. The PCB prototype board can help gauge the printing quality.

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