Re: (a bit OT) PCB Fabs

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 22 Apr 2006 22:39:18 GMT, nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston) wrote
in message  <444aac2a.486586296@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

>"AZ Woody" <Reply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>I while back, I asked about design SW for PCB boards.  Well, been using
>>EAGLE (cadsoftusa.com) and now I find I ant to actually have some boards
>>made.
>>
>>There not fancy - single sided, 2"x2", and I'd like to start with 10 of
>>them.
>>

>>Anybody know of a good and cheap fab house that supports the EAGLE files?
>>
>
>Does Eagle output standard Gerber files? If so, my preferred source is
>http://www.ezpcb.com. Their $50 prototype service cost $50 plus shipping
>for 5 boards. Additional boards are priced depending on quantity. Quality
>is the best I've seen and delivery times are fast depending on how you
>ship. The only drawback is they only accept PayPal.

[ Off-off-topic ;-)  PayPal is an advantage for making numerous small
credit-card purchases in my opinion and experience. You  give out your
credit card info _once_ instead of to every single vendor about which you
may know next to nothing. ]

>I think Olimex accepts Eagle files but the quality of their prototype
>boards SUCKS. If you need to rework anything you'll find the copper lifting
off.

Olimex is set up to use Eagle very conveniently in part because both Eagle
and Olimex are standardized around euro-sized board. Olimex will panelize
and depanelize at no charge. This is important if you use the free version
of Eagle which is limited to small boards (100x80mm) so you can't panelize
yourself if you stick with the Eagle format. If you can design your boards
in fractional euro size, you can save quite a bit.

I own the Eagle non-profit version (160x 100mm, 4-layer limit) and have used
Olimex development and prototype boards from various other parties (eg Peter
Anderson) with no problem. Of course development boards in general often
have small isolated pads that heat up quickly. Use a soldering iron with a
thermostat.

Here's a tutorial on making gerber files from Eagle files should you choose
the extra step in order to use a pcb firm that doesn't accept Eagle format.
http://www.interq.or.jp/japan/se-inoue/e_eagle44.htm

... Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.ECOntrol.org