Short run pcb manufacturers?

[runmikeyrun]

Hi guys.

I'd like to take a stab at making a small number of one of my designs.  The circuit is complex enough that I don't want to hand solder 10 or 15 of them.  Anyone used any place(s) that would do a short run of PCBs?  Also, what file format do I need to have for them?

Thanks in advance.

[mth5044]

OSH park is a fantastic place to do small runs. Quick turn around, high quality, good customer support. Best part is you upload your EAGLE file, no messing with Gerber's or other baby food. I'm sure others will comment on other places, but the search function will turn up quite a few hits on other peoples comments.

[italianguy63]

I can not rave about Elecrow.com enough.. love them.

[Rixen]

Always had good experience with PCBway..

but just to clarify when you say you 'don't want to hand solder them' you mean you are OK to hand solder a manufactured PCB right ?

[mth5044]

but just to clarify when you say you 'don't want to hand solder them' you mean you are OK to hand solder a manufactured PCB right ?

Good point, that would change things up quite a bit.

[Ice-9]

Your question sounds to me like you want some PCB fabbed but also want them assembled. Having 'bare' PCB's made is quite easy and cheap but prices for assembly can be expensive.

File format = Gerbers are best. Most programs can generate gerbers.

For PCB fab I usually use a few different places they can all do assembly as well

Dirtypcb
PCBcart

and I have just received 40 PCB's today from JLCPCB which have some fantastically cheap offers plus cheap shipping. (boards were perfect as well).

If you want assembly from a China factory you need to factor in import duty price on final bill. For example if 40 PCBs cost £20 them duty will be cheap but if 40 boards plus components and assembly cost  £500 then duty is gonna hit you hard.

One more thing about PCB assembly, if you want them made this way go SMD as there will likely be extra cost to have them made with through hole components.

[Rixen]

regarding assembly, for those quantities they would likely be hand soldered (for PTH) or hand pick and place (for SMT).
This is how Sparkfun mass produce low quantities (if that sentence makes sense) : https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/electronics-assembly/all

[bean]

I've been using JLCPCB for a couple months for some prototype boards and they are fantastic. Expect to pay $20+ or so for shipping from China, but the actual board cost is basically nominal. And the the submission to receive time is basically about 10 days.

That said, OSHPark deserves a lot of our business because the were at the forefront of inexpensive, small quantity PCB production for DIYers.

[runmikeyrun]

Sorry for the confusion... I just need the boards.  I will assemble them myself.  Thanks!!

[merlinb]

+1 for PCBway, PCBcart, and JLC PCB
If you keep your design smaller than 100x100mm you can usually get a batch of ten for $5 plus shipping.

[vigilante397]

For anything that I want more than one of I go to Elecrow, bur for things that I just want one of to confirm a design (like a power supply) I usually design it as small as possible and send it to OSH Park. I love the quality of OSH Park, but since they charge by the square inch they are usually more money for fewer quantity boards.

My general rule of thumb: <1 sq. inch goes to OSH Park, everything else goes to Elecrow.