Printed Circuit Board

Fabrication Houses

PCB fabricators usually accept Gerber files, which any good PCB cad tool will export. Some also will accept your actual source files (e.g. Eagle .brd file), but that's risky if you ask me, you can never know if they will generate the artwork correctly if you just give them your sources. Better to generate the gerbers yourself and check them in a gerber viewer before you send them away.

Usually you would export the layers for a 2-layer board as separate gerber files...

• Board Outline
• Silk Top
• Silk Bottom
• Mask Top
• Mask Bottom
• Copper Top
• Copper Bottom

and then a drill file for the holes, and slots if any. Some fabs might allow two drill files, one for unplated and one for plated holes.

What the files are called depends on the fab, usually it's just different file extensions, the following are loosely standardised

• .GTO and .GBO for top and bottom silk
• .GTS and .GBS for top and bottom mask
• .GTL and .GBL for top and bottom copper
• .GML/GKO/GBR/GM1 for the board outline itself
• .TXT for the N/C Drill file of the holes

"PCB manufacturers", "prototype boards", "board house", ...

• http://PCBShopper.com Lets you search for the cheapest (or fastest) PCB manufacturer. PCBShopper lets you enter your board's specs - size, layers, preferred solder mask color, and quantity - and shows you a list of PCB manufacturers along with prices and delivery times. You can then sort the results to find the cheapest or fastest manufacturers. PCBShopper currently lists 13 manufacturers, and more are being added. PCBShopper is free to use and is not affiliated with any manufacturers.
• Custom Circuit Boards - A PCB Manufacturing company, located in Phoenix, Arizona, that specializes in Quick turn multilayer PCB. With same day delivery (orders before 9am), Custom Circuit Boards is fast, secure, and affordable solution for both companies and hobbyist. Use their online PCB quote form for your next PCB project.
• http://olimex.com/ "Olimex is one of the cheapest and fastest services around" -- recc. Byron A Jeff 2002-12-07 on PicList (in Bulgaria so plan on a week or two shipping) Do note that there are significant restrictions on the drill sizes and trace width/spacing you can use for the proto service.
• http://www.pcbcart.com/cart.php PCBCart - China, very cheap, good quality and tolerances, automated quote. Pretty much the cheapest around
• http://www.spiritcircuits.com/home Spirit Circuits - not the cheapest, but excellent quality/service. Also, they do a very cool *FREE* 2 layer "Go Naked" prototype service, which is worth knowing about. Very innovative/ modern kind of place, seem to make an effort to impress. You may want to check out their "PCB Snap" for a 4-layer prototype
• http://www.protoexpress.com
• http://goldphoenixpcb.biz/ They are (or at least were) the service behind Sparkfun's Batch PCB service
• http://www.pcb4u.com better known as Accutrace)
• Saturn Electronics Corporation http://SaturnElectronics.com/ (thanks for the link, M. Miles)
• Excel Electrocircuit http://ExcelElectro.com/ (thanks for the link, M. Miles) http://pcbexpress.com/ $100 for 4 identical PCBs (up to 3.375 x 2.875 inches) (that's $25 each) ... has on-line price estimates.
• http://www.apcircuits.com . least expensive for small quantities, very fast and high-quality service. Just for comparison, qty. 2 of a 6 inch by 4 inch board ran $90,and that was about 50% setup fee.
• Advanced Circuits http://4pcb.com/ makes quick-turn PWB prototypes. There's an on-line form where you tell it how big your board is and a few other details. It immediately gives you a complete price schedule (how much for 2 boards, how much for 10 boards, how much for 100 boards ... how much extra to pay for must-have-it-2-days-from-now.). I find on-line price estimates very useful for deciding whether to make 2 boards and buy a connector between them, or to make one big board. -- David A Cary
• Millennium Dataware S.r.l. http://www.mdsrl.it/ "Ultra Fast PCB Prototyping with the special warranty: 24 hours or the PCB are FREE!" -- Francesco Fontana < francesco (at) mdsrl.it >. Millennium Dataware has an online price estimate, and also a PCB discussion forum: http://plcforum.it/
• http://www.expresspcb.com Free ExpressPCB Windows layout software. Our express PC board manufacturing service delivers double-sided plated-through boards in 3 business days or less. Often orders for two boards cost under $100.
• http://www.pcb-quote.com/ Submits your board to several FAB houses for quotes. Assembly is not addressed.
• DynaArt Designs, 3535 Stillmeadow Lane, Lancaster, CA 93536
  Voice: (805) 943-4746, FAX: (805) 943-3776
  E-Mail: dynaart@netport.com
  Web Site http://www.dynaart.com
  Home of the "Toner Transfer System"
  
• Coffman Enterprises, http://www.cdh.net/scoff
  Email: scoff @cdh.net. PerfectBoard purple paper process to make printed circuit boards.
• Electrolube : Photo Resist, developer, Lacquer , Nickel spray, Etchant Electrolube Limited,Blakes Road,Wargrave,Berkshire,RG10 8AW U.K.
  Tel. +44 1734 404031 Fax + 44 1734 403084
• Isel: Etchant ,plating solution etching equipment etc.
  Isel Automation, 6419 Eiterfeld 1,Germany
• Sifco : Plating Pen, 5708 Schaaf Rd. Cleveland OH 44131 USA
  Tel +1 216 524 0099 Fax +1 216 524 6331
• Vero Electronics can be contacted in the US on 1-800-242-2863.
• Circuit Works Conductive Pen is available from Ocean State Electronics, (800) 866-6626.
  The catalog number is CW2200
• NEPCON holds trade shows that focus on electronic manufacturing equipment and tools. The next show is in Texas during the last week of October. This will give you a chance to kick the tires and test drive some of the equipment.
• Manncorp makes a pretty broad line of equipment. Everything from manual pick and place machines up to some fairly pricey automated lines. The sales people are pretty sharp and are willing to answer dumb questions.
• http://www.bomir.com/ This equipment is imported from Poland. Screen printer, manual pick and place with paste dispenser, and a batch reflow oven for US$ 12k.
• http://www.apsgold.com/ Through-hole lead forming machines and SMT equipment.
• For automated equipment, Upgrade Technologies is the leading contender at the moment. They started out with a focus on ovens. Screen printers and pick and place machines are fairly recent additions to their product line.
• PCB Fab Express http://pcbfabexpress.com/ has on-line price estimates. PCB FAQ:
  http://cal003109.student.utwente.nl/stefan/el in the PCB section. (broken link as of 2005-07-18)
• Imagineering, Inc. http://pcbnet.com/ intro offer: $25 each for 2 Layers, $50 each for 4 Layers (quantity 1) max. 60 sqin., max. 14in length.

PICList threads: "cheap pcb fabrication needed"

FAB houses in the UK.

• http://www.lyncolec.co.uk/

Other web sites with long lists of PWB fabricators:

• http://www.everythingpcb.com/p13057.htm long list of Printed Circuit Board Manufacturers -- think we can get that site to link back to massmind ?
• http://dmoz.org/Business/Industries/Electronics_and_Electrical/Contract_Manufacturers/Printed_Circuit_Boards/ Many PWB fabricators and assemblers are listed at dmoz.
• Portland Robotics used to have a list of board houses http://portlandrobotics.org/index.php?id=21#132 , but today (2005-07-18) I only see one board fab listed.

See also:

• -Remove-owen~NOSPAM~ at janklin.com refers to http://www.maguselectronics.co.uk +
• -Remove-yangwanghuacn~NOSPAM~ at gmail.com refers to " https://www.aipcba.com AiPCBA This manufactured pcb has a low cost, I have been using it and highly recommend it." +
• http://www.rocket-pcb.com Rocket PCB specializes in solving complex PCB applications. It has strong experience in high-difficulty PCB processing, such as RF line control, high-frequency, high-speed, multi-drill and large-size backplane, micro-via, plating over for via（POFV）, buried resistance and capacitor, high-order and multi-stage HDI+
• -Remove-liusiqin77~NOSPAM~ at 163.com refers to

  https://www.lhd-pcb.com HUIZHOU LINGHANGDA TECHNOLOGY CO.LTD is one of the world-leading high-precision double-layer and multi-layer printed circuit board manufacturer. Our products are widely applied in communication, industrial control, power electronics, medical instrument, security electronics, aerospace and so on. Most of them are exported to America, Europe, Asia and other regions.

  +
• https://www.pcbgogo.com?code=y We have been specializing in PCB prototyping and PCBA manufacturing services for over 10 years, serving more than 20,000 customers all over the world. We have our own factory established over 17,000 square meters and we possess the latest professional production equipment to handle the PCB and PCBA manufacturing process. Our website has a 24 hours live online customer service to help assist our customers and to help solve any problems they might have with their order. All of your orders will be reviewed by PCBGOGO engineers. Our principle is to use our profession to ensure that you get exactly what you expect.+
• -Remove-service01~NOSPAM~ at ourpcb.com refers to " https://www.ourpcb.com/ OurPCB, your most reliable PCB and PCBA supplier" +
• https://www.seeedstudio.com/fusion_pcb.html To get pcb fabrication, I went through Seeed Studio Fusion
• https://www.jlcpcb.com Fast manufacturing and fast DHL international shipping. JLCPCB had a 1 week turnaround from uploading finished design files to PCB delivery to USA: it is great for your rapid PCB needs. Only $2 to stat experience with its PCB service.
• -Remove-wolfe83~NOSPAM~ at gmail.com refers to

  https://pcbs.io PCBs.io has been a good fabricator for us. Minimum board order is 4 starting $1/sq in/ PCB and goes down as the board size increases. We have consistently received 5 boards so the cost is actually quite a bit less. About 2 week turnaround time to the US.

• -Remove-yuchaelectronics~NOSPAM~ at gmail.com refers to " http://www.joga-pcba.com Pioneer Manufacturer of Quality PCB & PCB Assembly Services provider from China .PCB Assembly Services range from prototypes to large production orders. Serving different verticals of customer from Telecom to Automobiles " +
• -Remove-service02~NOSPAM~ at wellpcb.com refers to " http://www.wellpcb.com WELLPCB is focusing on online prototypes orders, to meet the requirement of Low cost, Fast delivery, Easy order for customers around the world." +
• http://www.kjcircuits.com.cn KEJIE PRECISION PCB LIMITED is an expert at Printed Circuit Board manufacturer ,we are professional on prototype and mass production. It is committed to high-precision single-sided, multi-layer PCB manufacturing. info@kjcircuits.com.cn.
• -Remove-3314389614~NOSPAM~ at qq.com refers to " http://www.pcbway.com/cc Why not PCBWay? I think it has pretty good quality and very low price." +
• http://www.pcbnpi.com I've used PCBNPI.COM for my new designs and liked them. Good price, a few extra boards for free and very responsive.Meanwhile,they provide me free laser cut stencil for my prototype boards+
• -Remove-4pcbassemblylinks~NOSPAM~ at gmail.com refers to " http://www.4pcbassembly.com/ We Provide best PCB assembly & fabrication services with quick turnaround time as less as 24hours to 3 weeks as per customers requirements.
  " +
• -Remove-dscpcbchina~NOSPAM~ at gmail.com refers to https://dsc-pcb.com/ Shenzhen Dashunchang Electronic Co. Ltd was established in 2002 and this technology enterprise specializes in both single and double sided PCB and multilayer PCB, and at the same time focusing on fast PCB Prototype and mass production.+
• William Salinas -Remove-link~NOSPAM~ at technotronix.us refers to: http://www.technotronix.us  I got my PCB Prototyping done for couple of my product from Technotronix. I am really impressed with the product quality & Turnaround." +
• Guang Yu refers to " http://www.prototype-pcb.com PCB Prototype Service provider who specialized in FR4, CEM1 and aluminium with online instant quote system." +
• richard makervier refers to " http://www.wonderfulpcb.com experienced PCB board manufacturer,provide various of printed circuit boards" +
• http://www.pcb-solutions.com/ At PCB Solutions we provide printed circuit board manufacturing for the dynamic electronics industry. We can manufacture rigid, flex, and rigid flex PCBs, and we support domestic and off-shore prototyping so we can provide low, medium and high volume production.+
• http://dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/pcb_order Made in the USA Prototyping service. $5/sq inch for 3 copies of your board with NO setup fees and free shipping in the USA! $1/sq inch if you buy 150 sq inches or more. 1 to 2 week turn. Panels are produced when enough boards to fill a panel have been ordered.+
• http://www.sfcircuits.com San Francisco Circuits is a PCB provider based in the SF Bay Area, specializing in high-end circuit board applications. They have an educational section entitled PCB School with downloads to PCB resources that can be accessed after signing up.
  +
• http://www.onboardcircuits.com Printed Circuit Boards+
• -Remove-info~NOSPAM~ at pcbinternational.com refers to

• http://www.pcbinternational.com West Coast Based PCB Supplier - Best prototype value in North America. 2 Layer 100 square inches for $94.99. 4 Layer 100 Square inches for $179.99. Visit our site today!

• http://www.pcbuniverse.com The highest quality boards at very competitive prices. Call our design and customer services today!+
• -Remove-info~NOSPAM~ at micron20.com refers to " http://micron20.com/en Micron 20 Ltd - PCB production - online quote, order and tracking. Prototypes, small and middle series, 3-4 days delivery in EU" +
• http://www.solderpastestencil.com Solder Paste Laser CUT SMT stencil & Re-usable ACCUFRAME for your PCB Assembly from $125 in 24 hrs.+
• -Remove-sales~NOSPAM~ at pnconline.com refers to

• http://www.pnconline.com PNC Inc. - Located in NJ provided PCB Design from Schematic, PC Board manufacturing, SMT Solder Paste SMT Stencil. Our online price matrix is great way for engineers/buyers to get instant prices for small run, quick turn prototype orders or try our online RFQ form. we have over 40 yrs of experience in quality work, we are the lastest shop in NE USA.

• -Remove-lizhiren~NOSPAM~ at hotmail.com refers to

• http://www.chinapcbs.com/ Our Printed Circuit Board manufacturing service delivers double-sided plated-through boards in 3 business days or less. Often orders for two boards cost under $USD100. And USD80/m2 for mass production for 2layers HASL PCB.

• -Remove-wiebke~NOSPAM~ at quantumcad.co.uk refers to

• http://www.quantumcad.co.uk Title: Quantum CAD – PCB design solutions Description: High quality PCB Design Service for all industries, Full Electronic Product Design, SI Verify, High Speed Design, Simulation, hardware design, PLM Integration, PCB Design Software, Pre-design Study, PCB Design & Software Training.

Sam Sangani of PNC Inc. Says: " PNC Inc. - Try this quality PCB house, they offer PCB design, PCB, PCBA and SMT stencil, they offer online Prices for Fast turn. " +

Questions:

Comments:

• -Remove-rushpcb.com~NOSPAM~ at gmail.com " http://www.rushpcb.com Full capability Printed Circuit Board manufacturing and Assembly Service. PCB Boards with fast turnarounds, competitive pricing & quality guarantee." +
• http://www.10pcb.com we supply printed circuits board with lowest price and high quality,Visit our site today

William Salinas Says: " I got my PCB Prototyping done for couple of my product from Technotronix. I am really impressed with the product quality & Turnaround. " +

Andy Yoo Says:

Recommend a PCB turnkey services provider, who is the actual manufacturer for PCB and Circuit Board Assembly, get quality and cheap prices there.

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