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Sci.Electronics.Basics -> The Right PCB House

There are 45 messages in this thread.
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Author: Talal Itani
Date: 10:19 21-06-08

Hello,

I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing fancy.
I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra Pro
Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. Do you think I made the
right choice? Do you have any recommendations? I would like to receive the
board 3-5 days.

T.I.

Author: Hauke D
Date: 10:53 21-06-08

Hi,

I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service (http://
www.freedfm.com/), even if you don't end up going with them for
manufacturing.

ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
stuff though.

Regards,
-- Hauke D

On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing fancy.
> I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra Pro
> Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. Do you think I made the
> right choice? Do you have any recommendations? I would like to receive the
> board 3-5 days.
>
> T.I.

Author: Tim Wescott
Date: 11:48 21-06-08

Talal Itani wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing fancy.
> I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra Pro
> Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. Do you think I made the
> right choice? Do you have any recommendations? I would like to receive the
> board 3-5 days.
>
> T.I.
>
>
I have only ever used PCB express (NOT express PCB), and they have never
steered me wrong. Nor have they caused problems that I know of for my
one local client that uses them. They're fast, they're accurate, and if
your board comes back with problems it's because you put them there.

I can't speak to any of the others -- they may be even better than PCB
express (although there's not much room for improvement) or they may be
horrid.

http://www.pcbexpress.com/.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Author: Talal Itani
Date: 12:01 21-06-08

So, there is PCBexpress, and expressPCB. Two different companies?

"Tim Wescott" <tim@seemywebsite.com> wrote in message
news:paydneRCzL9Vv8DVnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@web-ster.com...
> Talal Itani wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing
>> fancy. I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to
>> Sierra Pro Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. Do you think I
>> made the right choice? Do you have any recommendations? I would like to
>> receive the board 3-5 days.
>>
>> T.I.
> I have only ever used PCB express (NOT express PCB), and they have never
> steered me wrong. Nor have they caused problems that I know of for my one
> local client that uses them. They're fast, they're accurate, and if your
> board comes back with problems it's because you put them there.
>
> I can't speak to any of the others -- they may be even better than PCB
> express (although there's not much room for improvement) or they may be
> horrid.
>
> http://www.pcbexpress.com/.
>
> --
>
> Tim Wescott
> Wescott Design Services
> http://www.wescottdesign.com
>
> Do you need to implement control loops in software?
> "Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it
says.
> See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Author: mpm
Date: 12:01 21-06-08

On Jun 21, 10:53=EF=BF=BDam, Hauke D <hau...@zero-g.net> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
> 4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service (http://www.freedfm.co=
m/), even if you don't end up going with them for
> manufacturing.
>
> ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
> that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
> but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
> Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
> kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
> stuff though.
>
> Regards,
> -- Hauke D
>
> On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hello,
>
> > I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing fanc=
y.
> > I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra P=
ro
> > Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. =EF=BF=BDDo you think I m=
ade the
> > right choice? =EF=BF=BDDo you have any recommendations? =EF=BF=BDI would=
like to receive the
> > board 3-5 days.
>
> > T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
stuff.
I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.

As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60 (last
time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
can import to many of the other programs avail.

Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
one of them.

-mpm

Author: Talal Itani
Date: 12:07 21-06-08

Can ExpressPCB receive files from other PCB software?

>
> I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
> 4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service
> (http://www.freedfm.com/), even if you don't end up going with them for
> manufacturing.
>
> ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
> that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
> but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
> Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
> kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
> stuff though.
>
> Regards,
> -- Hauke D
>
> On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hello,
>
> > I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing
> > fancy.
> > I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra
> > Pro
> > Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. ?Do you think I made the
> > right choice? ?Do you have any recommendations? ?I would like to receive
> > the
> > board 3-5 days.
>
> > T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
stuff.
I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.

As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60 (last
time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
can import to many of the other programs avail.

Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
one of them.

-mpm

Author: Hauke D
Date: 12:55 21-06-08

> So, there is PCBexpress, and expressPCB. Two different companies?

Yes.

> Can ExpressPCB receive files from other PCB software?

No. (only netlists from schematic tools)

> As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60 (last
> time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
> can import to many of the other programs avail.

Hm, didn't know that. Still, it should be noted that ExpressPCB can't
read Gerber files and one can only order from ExpressPCB through their
software, so I'd still consider that being pretty locked in. Plus, if
I wanted to spend a little extra money, I'd just go with something
like EagleCAD and one of the other fab places anyways :) I'd still
recommend ExpressPCB for any simple 2-layer designs where it's not
important for your design to be portable; I've used them several times
myself and it's quick and easy and decent quality. And I'm a big fan
of "keep it simple" interfaces like their software is.

Regards,
-- Hauke D

Author: Tim Wescott
Date: 14:25 21-06-08

Talal Itani wrote:
(Top posting fixed)
>
> "Tim Wescott" <tim@seemywebsite.com> wrote in message
> news:paydneRCzL9Vv8DVnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@web-ster.com...
>> Talal Itani wrote:
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing
>>> fancy. I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to
>>> Sierra Pro Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. Do you think I
>>> made the right choice? Do you have any recommendations? I would like to
>>> receive the board 3-5 days.
>>>
>>> T.I.
>> I have only ever used PCB express (NOT express PCB), and they have never
>> steered me wrong. Nor have they caused problems that I know of for my one
>> local client that uses them. They're fast, they're accurate, and if your
>> board comes back with problems it's because you put them there.
>>
>> I can't speak to any of the others -- they may be even better than PCB
>> express (although there's not much room for improvement) or they may be
>> horrid.
>>
>> http://www.pcbexpress.com/.
> So, there is PCBexpress, and expressPCB. Two different companies?
>
>
Yes, very different.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Author: Tim Wescott
Date: 14:37 21-06-08

mpm wrote:
> On Jun 21, 10:53�am, Hauke D <hau...@zero-g.net> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
>> 4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service (http://www.freedfm.com/),
even if you don't end up going with them for
>> manufacturing.
>>
>> ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
>> that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
>> but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
>> Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
>> kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
>> stuff though.
>>
>> Regards,
>> -- Hauke D
>>
>> On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> Hello,
>>> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing fancy.
>>> I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra Pro
>>> Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. �Do you think I made the
>>> right choice? �Do you have any recommendations? �I would like to
receive the
>>> board 3-5 days.
>>> T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
> stuff.
> I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.
>
> As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60 (last
> time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
> can import to many of the other programs avail.
>
> Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
> houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
> see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
> themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
> names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
> one of them.
>
> -mpm

So you have software that will go from a Gerber to a nicely laid out
schematic?

That's impressive.

I use real tools to do my schematic capture and layout, and for no extra
money I go to a regular PCB house to get boards.

(And PCB Express has it's own fab just 12 miles from me, so if I'm in a
_real_ hurry I can pick it up and shave 8-12 hours off of the process).

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Author: Joerg
Date: 19:29 21-06-08

Talal Itani wrote:
> Can ExpressPCB receive files from other PCB software?
>
>
>> I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
>> 4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service
>> (http://www.freedfm.com/), even if you don't end up going with them for
>> manufacturing.
>>
>> ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
>> that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
>> but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
>> Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
>> kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
>> stuff though.
>>
>> Regards,
>> -- Hauke D
>>
>> On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> Hello,
>>> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing
>>> fancy.
>>> I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra
>>> Pro
>>> Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. ?Do you think I made the
>>> right choice? ?Do you have any recommendations? ?I would like to receive
>>> the
>>> board 3-5 days.
>>> T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
> stuff.
> I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.
>
> As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60 (last
> time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
> can import to many of the other programs avail.
>

Then if you need to make a little change it'll be another $60?

> Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
> houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
> see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
> themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
> names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
> one of them.
>

I have also used 4PCB, quite happy so far. They only messed up once
(unapproved Gerber edits) but made good on that with an additional fast
run, on the house. The nice thing is that I always have a real contact
person there. She really helped us when they defaulted to this dreaded
RoHS process which we absolutely did not want.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

Author: Robert Baer
Date: 04:20 22-06-08

Author: Robert Baer
Date: 04:22 22-06-08

Talal Itani wrote:

> So, there is PCBexpress, and expressPCB. Two different companies?
>
>
>
>
> "Tim Wescott" <tim@seemywebsite.com> wrote in message
> news:paydneRCzL9Vv8DVnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@web-ster.com...
>
>>Talal Itani wrote:
>>
>>>Hello,
>>>
>>>I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing
>>>fancy. I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to
>>>Sierra Pro Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. Do you think I
>>>made the right choice? Do you have any recommendations? I would like to
>>>receive the board 3-5 days.
>>>
>>>T.I.
>>
>>I have only ever used PCB express (NOT express PCB), and they have never
>>steered me wrong. Nor have they caused problems that I know of for my one
>>local client that uses them. They're fast, they're accurate, and if your
>>board comes back with problems it's because you put them there.
>>
>>I can't speak to any of the others -- they may be even better than PCB
>>express (although there's not much room for improvement) or they may be
>>horrid.
>>
>>http://www.pcbexpress.com/.
>>
>>--
>>
>>Tim Wescott
>>Wescott Design Services
>>http://www.wescottdesign.com
>>
>>Do you need to implement control loops in software?
>>"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it
says.
>>See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html
>
>
>
Absolutely!

Author: Robert Baer
Date: 04:30 22-06-08

mpm wrote:

> On Jun 21, 10:53�am, Hauke D <hau...@zero-g.net> wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
>>4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service (http://www.freedfm.com/),
even if you don't end up going with them for
>>manufacturing.
>>
>>ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
>>that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
>>but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
>>Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
>>kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
>>stuff though.
>>
>>Regards,
>>-- Hauke D
>>
>>On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>Hello,
>>
>>>I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing fancy.
>>>I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra Pro
>>>Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. �Do you think I made the
>>>right choice? �Do you have any recommendations? �I would like to receive
the
>>>board 3-5 days.
>>
>>>T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>>- Show quoted text -
>
>
> I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
> stuff.
> I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.
>
> As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60 (last
> time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
> can import to many of the other programs avail.
>
> Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
> houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
> see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
> themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
> names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
> one of them.
>
> -mpm
ExpressPCB stuff comes from Mulino OR and at one time i knew the name
of the "parent" company that will do much "fancier" boards.

Author: Robert Baer
Date: 04:34 22-06-08

Talal Itani wrote:

> Can ExpressPCB receive files from other PCB software?
>
>
>
>>I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
>>4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service
>>(http://www.freedfm.com/), even if you don't end up going with them for
>>manufacturing.
>>
>>ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
>>that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
>>but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
>>Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
>>kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
>>stuff though.
>>
>>Regards,
>>-- Hauke D
>>
>>On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>Hello,
>>
>>>I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing
>>>fancy.
>>>I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra
>>>Pro
>>>Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. ?Do you think I made the
>>>right choice? ?Do you have any recommendations? ?I would like to receive
>>>the
>>>board 3-5 days.
>>
>>>T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>>- Show quoted text -
>
>
> I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
> stuff.
> I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.
>
> As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60 (last
> time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
> can import to many of the other programs avail.
>
> Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
> houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
> see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
> themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
> names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
> one of them.
>
> -mpm
>
>
They are not set up to do that.
Send a query to their support smail address.

Author: Robert Baer
Date: 04:38 22-06-08

Joerg wrote:

> Talal Itani wrote:
>
>> Can ExpressPCB receive files from other PCB software?
>>
>>
>>> I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
>>> 4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service
>>> (http://www.freedfm.com/), even if you don't end up going with them for
>>> manufacturing.
>>>
>>> ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
>>> that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
>>> but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
>>> Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
>>> kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
>>> stuff though.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> -- Hauke D
>>>
>>> On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net>
wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hello,
>>>> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing
>>>> fancy.
>>>> I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to
>>>> Sierra Pro
>>>> Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. ?Do you think I made the
>>>> right choice? ?Do you have any recommendations? ?I would like to
>>>> receive the
>>>> board 3-5 days.
>>>> T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>>>
>>> - Show quoted text -
>>
>>
>> I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
>> stuff.
>> I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.
>>
>> As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60 (last
>> time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
>> can import to many of the other programs avail.
>>
>
> Then if you need to make a little change it'll be another $60?
>
>
>> Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
>> houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
>> see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
>> themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
>> names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
>> one of them.
>>
>
> I have also used 4PCB, quite happy so far. They only messed up once
> (unapproved Gerber edits) but made good on that with an additional fast
> run, on the house. The nice thing is that I always have a real contact
> person there. She really helped us when they defaulted to this dreaded
> RoHS process which we absolutely did not want.
>
Well, there are Gerber editors...

Author: Robert Baer
Date: 04:42 22-06-08

Author: Talal Itani
Date: 07:43 22-06-08

"Robert Baer" <robertbaer@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:-PSdnXt4z_WBlsPVnZ2dnUVZ_gadnZ2d@posted.localnet...
> Talal Itani wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing
>> fancy. I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to
>> Sierra Pro Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. Do you think I
>> made the right choice? Do you have any recommendations? I would like to
>> receive the board 3-5 days.
>>
>> T.I.
> One usually has to pay a premium for anything less than 10 days, and
> certainly for 3 days.
> Besids, transportation will take anywhere from 2 days to 5 days (total
> turn-around time).
> Are you Russian?

No.

Author: Joerg
Date: 12:33 22-06-08

Robert Baer wrote:
> Joerg wrote:
>
>> Talal Itani wrote:
>>
>>> Can ExpressPCB receive files from other PCB software?
>>>
>>>
>>>> I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
>>>> 4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service
>>>> (http://www.freedfm.com/), even if you don't end up going with them for
>>>> manufacturing.
>>>>
>>>> ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
>>>> that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
>>>> but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
>>>> Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
>>>> kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
>>>> stuff though.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> -- Hauke D
>>>>
>>>> On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net>
wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hello,
>>>>> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing

>>>>> fancy.
>>>>> I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to
>>>>> Sierra Pro
>>>>> Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. ?Do you think I made

>>>>> the
>>>>> right choice? ?Do you have any recommendations? ?I would like to
>>>>> receive the
>>>>> board 3-5 days.
>>>>> T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>>>>
>>>> - Show quoted text -
>>>
>>>
>>> I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
>>> stuff.
>>> I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.
>>>
>>> As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60
(last
>>> time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
>>> can import to many of the other programs avail.
>>>
>>
>> Then if you need to make a little change it'll be another $60?
>>
>>
>>> Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
>>> houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
>>> see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
>>> themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
>>> names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
>>> one of them.
>>>
>>
>> I have also used 4PCB, quite happy so far. They only messed up once
>> (unapproved Gerber edits) but made good on that with an additional
>> fast run, on the house. The nice thing is that I always have a real
>> contact person there. She really helped us when they defaulted to this
>> dreaded RoHS process which we absolutely did not want.
>>
> Not much differnce between tin/lead solder on pads and silver plate
> *IF* one is not going above (say) 150C.
> Tin/lead solder and tin/silver solders act esentially the same, so
> what is the beef?

Non-RoHS parts on a RoHS PCB usually isn't a good idea.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

Author: Joerg
Date: 12:35 22-06-08

Robert Baer wrote:
> Joerg wrote:
>
>> Talal Itani wrote:
>>
>>> Can ExpressPCB receive files from other PCB software?
>>>
>>>
>>>> I've had good experiences with Advanced Circuits (http://www.
>>>> 4pcb.com/). Make sure to use their free FDM service
>>>> (http://www.freedfm.com/), even if you don't end up going with them for
>>>> manufacturing.
>>>>
>>>> ExpressPCB is only good for quick-and-dirty stuff. Their advantage is
>>>> that they're cheap and their design software is pretty simple to use,
>>>> but the big disadvantage is that it locks you in to their software.
>>>> Also I've never done 4-layer stuff with them; I believe they're also
>>>> kind of limited in that department. They're great for quick-and-dirty
>>>> stuff though.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> -- Hauke D
>>>>
>>>> On Jun 21, 4:19 pm, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net>
wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hello,
>>>>> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing

>>>>> fancy.
>>>>> I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to
>>>>> Sierra Pro
>>>>> Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. ?Do you think I made

>>>>> the
>>>>> right choice? ?Do you have any recommendations? ?I would like to
>>>>> receive the
>>>>> board 3-5 days.
>>>>> T.I.- Hide quoted text -
>>>>
>>>> - Show quoted text -
>>>
>>>
>>> I've used ExpressPCB for small projects before, but always 2-layer
>>> stuff.
>>> I've never had a problem with them, or their boards.
>>>
>>> As for being "locked-in" to their software, for an extra $60
(last
>>> time I checked), they will send you the Gerber files. From there, you
>>> can import to many of the other programs avail.
>>>
>>
>> Then if you need to make a little change it'll be another $60?
>>
>>
>>> Also, I recall hearing a while ago that a lot of these PCB prototype
>>> houses are all built at the same place anyway. So, while you might
>>> see 10 different company names (i.e., resellers), the boards
>>> themselves all come from the same place. Sorry, I don't remember the
>>> names of the companies involved, and don't know whether ExpressPCB is
>>> one of them.
>>>
>>
>> I have also used 4PCB, quite happy so far. They only messed up once
>> (unapproved Gerber edits) but made good on that with an additional
>> fast run, on the house. The nice thing is that I always have a real
>> contact person there. She really helped us when they defaulted to this
>> dreaded RoHS process which we absolutely did not want.
>>
> Well, there are Gerber editors...

Very frowned upon in industry and (usually) off limits in medical. It's
like printing out a picture, editing it with white-out and scanning it
back in. You typically lose the documentation trail. IOW your original
CAD file no longer matches the product.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.

Author: Chris_99
Date: 13:20 22-06-08

On Jun 21, 10:19=A0am, "Talal Itani" <tit...@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I need to have a 4-layer board made, a prototype, 2 boards, nothing fancy=
.
> I did some research in this newsgroup and I narrowed it down to Sierra Pr=
o
> Express, ExpressPCB, and AC Advanced Circuits. =A0Do you think I made the
> right choice? =A0Do you have any recommendations? =A0I would like to rece=
ive the
> board 3-5 days.
>
> T.I.

I have had great luck with Eagle + www.fast5protos.com

Chris

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