PCB Manufacture...

[dilbert]

I'm sure there used to be somewhere in the UK that made printed circuit boards. From what I remember they would do you a quote on-line based on board area, layer count, component and via count.

Was I dreaming, and does anyone have a URL?

[dilbert]

S'allright, I found it.

http://www.pcbtrain.co.uk/schematic/pcb-fabricatio...

[CHIEF]

I've been using a few over the last 15 years or so. The company you named are ok but fairly expensive.

Is it normal FR4 material you'll be using?

If you want me to forward the name PM me.

Edited by CHIEF on Wednesday 10th March 15:55

[dilbert]

Yes, they are a bit expensive I would imagine, but they're great for small quantities, and small boards.
I think the thing that's nice with them, is that there is no pretence. It's not like you have to go to them saying, "I want a couple of prototypes as a prequel to a much bigger run."

They overtly say, "Here it is. Just a one or two off. That's fine." They don't mind if they never hear from you again.

[Zad]

Hmm, they can afford to be up front and honest. £47:25 for a 1-off Eurocard with 3 weeks lead time is taking the weewee a bit I think. £124:16 for 2-off 1 week lead is absurd.

[dilbert]

Zad said:

Hmm, they can afford to be up front and honest. £47:25 for a 1-off Eurocard with 3 weeks lead time is taking the weewee a bit I think. £124:16 for 2-off 1 week lead is absurd.

Care to enlighten us about the alternatives? If its clear someone else in the UK is cheaper, for small quantities, and with no strings, I'm keen to use them.

Edited by dilbert on Thursday 11th March 13:23

[CHIEF]

dilbert said:

Zad said:

Hmm, they can afford to be up front and honest. £47:25 for a 1-off Eurocard with 3 weeks lead time is taking the weewee a bit I think. £124:16 for 2-off 1 week lead is absurd.

Care to enlighten us about the alternatives? If its clear someone else in the UK is cheaper, for small quantities, and with no strings, I'm keen to use them.

Edited by dilbert on Thursday 11th March 13:23

I use a UK supplier for all our low volume boards, They will do prototypes (although you'll pay a bit more) but for small qtys i.e. 50-500 they're great.

PM sent.

Edited by CHIEF on Thursday 11th March 13:37

[E31Shrew]

CHIEF said:

dilbert said:

Zad said:

Hmm, they can afford to be up front and honest. £47:25 for a 1-off Eurocard with 3 weeks lead time is taking the weewee a bit I think. £124:16 for 2-off 1 week lead is absurd.

Care to enlighten us about the alternatives? If its clear someone else in the UK is cheaper, for small quantities, and with no strings, I'm keen to use them.

Edited by dilbert on Thursday 11th March 13:23

I use a UK supplier for all our low volume boards, They will do prototypes (although you'll pay a bit more) but for small qtys i.e. 50-500 they're great.

PM sent.

Edited by CHIEF on Thursday 11th March 13:37

I worked in your industry for 20 years or so! How's component procurement holding up?

[dilbert]

CHIEF said:

dilbert said:

Zad said:

Hmm, they can afford to be up front and honest. £47:25 for a 1-off Eurocard with 3 weeks lead time is taking the weewee a bit I think. £124:16 for 2-off 1 week lead is absurd.

Care to enlighten us about the alternatives? If its clear someone else in the UK is cheaper, for small quantities, and with no strings, I'm keen to use them.

Edited by dilbert on Thursday 11th March 13:23

I use a UK supplier for all our low volume boards, They will do prototypes (although you'll pay a bit more) but for small qtys i.e. 50-500 they're great.

PM sent.

Edited by CHIEF on Thursday 11th March 13:37

I'll try to give them a go. Some of my stuff is likely to go to four layers, and they only do two. That said they're small enough that I'd try to use them if I could.

[Zad]

Try these people: http://hillmantechnology.com/Quote/QuoteByForm.asp...
They don't have a fancy web site (bit clunky really) but I have used them in the past and seem to be pretty decent to be honest. No, I don't have a recent price from them.

There is good old http://www.pcb-pool.com if you don't mind shipping from Ireland.

[CHIEF]

E31Shrew said:

CHIEF said:

dilbert said:

Zad said:

Hmm, they can afford to be up front and honest. £47:25 for a 1-off Eurocard with 3 weeks lead time is taking the weewee a bit I think. £124:16 for 2-off 1 week lead is absurd.

Care to enlighten us about the alternatives? If its clear someone else in the UK is cheaper, for small quantities, and with no strings, I'm keen to use them.

Edited by dilbert on Thursday 11th March 13:23

I use a UK supplier for all our low volume boards, They will do prototypes (although you'll pay a bit more) but for small qtys i.e. 50-500 they're great.

PM sent.

Edited by CHIEF on Thursday 11th March 13:37

I worked in your industry for 20 years or so! How's component procurement holding up?

It depends on what components. Prices are fluctuating madly at the moment, Raw materials and metals has risen quite a lot but a lot of the larger distributors are being a bit more realistic with pricing and will do some good deals on qty discounts. China at the moment on some stuff is not as competative due to again raw materials and the exchange rate.