Hi Bill, I used Futurlec once and I was very happy with the results, but now most of my projects involve quantities of 50 or more pieces so I have the production quantities PWB made and the product assembly done (parts procurement, soldering and test) in a very large far Eastern country, kinda like Apple but on a slightly smaller scale...
I have now worked with the same company for 7-8 years and I am quite satisfied with the results and the prices, for well over 3,000 pieces in total. As long as there are no long lead parts, I get finished products in the DHL about 3-4 weeks ARO from emailing them the Gerber's. Didier KO4BB On August 12, 2016 9:22:42 AM CDT, wb6bnq <wb6...@cox.net> wrote: >Hi Didier, > >I use ExpressPCB as well, but I send the ExpressPCB file to a company >called Futurlec >( http://www.futurlec.com/PCBService.shtml ). They have reasonable >prices. Because it is overseas it takes about three weeks to get the >product back. So far I have been very impressed with the product I >recieved. I have even had notches done in the four corners to fit a >plastic box that came out very well. > >Also, There is a person who started to write his own version of layout > >program based off of the ExpressPCB program called "Copper >Connection." ( http://www.robotroom.com/CopperConnection/index.html ) > >It is a bit more involved than the ExpressPCB program and does have >GERBER files as a selection. However he charges for the program but it > >seems the prices are reasonable ( >http://www.robotroom.com/CopperConnection/Buy.html ). > >73....Bill....WB6BNQ > > >Didier Juges wrote: > >>The way ExpressPCB works is that their free software produces boards >in a proprietary format, and you have to pay to convert their design >file to Gerber. >> >>Your mileage may vary but I found the combination of design tools >learning curve, board quality and quick service to be worthwhile to me. >> >>I have tried Eagle twice and never could manage to build the models I >needed. It may have been an issue of not finding the right tutorial but >I have produced several ExpressPCB designs in less time than I have >tried (unsuccessfully) to produce a single schematic in Eagle, let >alone a PWB. Since it is a hobby that has become a business, time >matters to me, design time and delivery. >> >>At that point, the cost of the Gerber becomes somewhat irrelevant. >> >>Note that you can make boards of any size in ExpressPCB. >> >>I am not advocating it is the best solution for everyone, I personally >would like to be proficient with Eagle, but Express PCB works for me. >> >>Didier KO4BB >> >> >> >> >>On August 11, 2016 10:45:45 PM CDT, Chris Albertson ><albertson.ch...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> >>>This seems totally backwards. Typically a Gerber file is something >>>you make yourself on your computer then send it in for a prototype. >>>Seems odd to buy them. >>> >>>I checked ExpressPCB prices and they are very high. I can get PCBs >>>made quickly in the US for $3 per square inch, shipping included with >>>$9 minimum order. And you don't buy the Gerbers. >>> >>>I notice ExpressPCB offers free software. But it is totally >>>non-standard and you can't use it for anything other then for their >>>service. Most people needing free PCB software use Eagle, some use >>>Kicad or some others. But Eagle seems to be kind of a universal >>>standard. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>On Thu, Aug 11, 2016 at 8:55 AM, Didier Juges <shali...@gmail.com> >>>wrote: >>> >>> >>>>I concur. I have been using ExpressPCB extensively over the last 2 >>>> >>>> >>>years >>> >>> >>>>with great satisfaction now that it is possible to get Gerber files >>>> >>>> >>>from >>> >>> >>>>them. >>>>I typically use the mini board pro service (3 bare boards, 2 sided >>>> >>>> >>>with >>> >>> >>>>solder mask and silk screen) for prototypes and then buy the Gerbers >>>> >>>> >>>-- >>> >>>Chris Albertson >>>Redondo Beach, California >>>_______________________________________________ >>>time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com >>>To unsubscribe, go to >>>https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >>>and follow the instructions there. >>> >>> >> >> >> > >_______________________________________________ >time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com >To unsubscribe, go to >https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >and follow the instructions there. -- Sent from my Moto-X wireless tracker while I do other things. _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.