Hi all,

Anyone know of a PCB etching service for one-offs in or around
Manchester ? , or anywhere for that matter :O

Thanks

Lee

"Lee Griffiths" <l.s.griffiths (AT) salford (DOT) ac.uk> wrote

Lee,

I have used PCBpool with excellent results a few times:

http://www.pcbpool.com/ppuk/info.html

AWEM

Andrew Mawson wrote:

Wanted to suggest them too. I let make my boards there.
Without solder stop mask etc, they are not so expensive. They accept Eagle
or other files directly without extra charge.
Good and easy online ordering, fast turnaround (at extra charge).

Nick
--
***********************************
*** Available now in NZ and AUS ***
***********************************
<http://www.yadro.de>

Andrew Mawson wrote:
Thanks, hmm looks a bit pricey for what I'm doing. We used to have a
service at University which would etch say a 100x100 single side board
for about £5. I thought it would be the type of thing that Maplin would
do pretty much over the counter if you provided the artwork...

Lee

In article <XvudnV67CJwcUAbYnZ2dnUVZ8sHinZ2d (AT) bt (DOT) com>,
Lee Griffiths <l.s.griffiths (AT) salford (DOT) ac.uk> wrote:
Don't think Maplin offer any services these days.

But they (and others) sell all the bits to DIY it.

You first produce a real size transparency of the PCB - black for the
tracks. Then do a contact print onto coated PCB board using UV light. Next
develop the coating in a tray containing - surprisingly - developer. Then
etch using ferric chloride, etc.

There are other methods, but this is the traditional way.

However, the start up costs make it probably more economical to go to a
prototype place for a one off.

I make my own and adding an extra would not be a problem. But that would
be when I'm actually set up to run off some - and I don't know when that
will be next. For prototype use Veroboard is easier.

--
*When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty*

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

AFAIK Maplins don't make PCBs though they ?used to? sell the stuff neededto
make them before they turned into a toy shop.

Olimex <http://www.olimex.com/pcb/index.html> can make a one off for $33 if
double sided pth is OK, otherwise they quote $26 for a single sided board.

Also worth looking at RAK <http://www.rak.co.uk/not/main.html>.

I've never used either of these suppliers but Olimex in particular does have
their adherents so are probably worth a punt.

Hth,

--
Boo

In article <0eidnemazedRagbYnZ2dnUVZ_tadnZ2d (AT) biscit (DOT) net>,
Boo <reply_to_group_not_me (AT) spam_me_no_spam (DOT) net> wrote:
They still appear to sell the bits needed.

I'm not sure using a US company would be cost effective?

--
*I started out with nothing... and I still have most of it.

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

Olimex? I think they are Hungarian.

Nick
--
***********************************
*** Available now in NZ and AUS ***
***********************************
<http://www.yadro.de>

On Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:13:09 +0000, Lee Griffiths
<l.s.griffiths (AT) salford (DOT) ac.uk> wrote:

Silly suggestion maybe, but the Technology department of your local
secondary school or technology college might be able to help? The one I
used to work had had full PCB etching facilities and the Head of Faculty
would have been more than willing to make one for a reasonable donation!
My current school doesn't do GCSE Electronics, but many others do.
--
Regards, Chris (Please take out my car to reply by plain text email)
---1967 Riley Elf----1978 Mini 1000----1979 Ford Capri---
-----1957 Standard 8--------1972 Mini Clubman estate-----
-----1966 Triumph Herald Estate----1965 Hillman Minx-----

"Boo" <reply_to_group_not_me (AT) spam_me_no_spam (DOT) net> wrote

AFAIK Maplins don't make PCBs though they ?used to? sell the stuff needed to
make them before they turned into a toy shop.

Olimex <http://www.olimex.com/pcb/index.html> can make a one off for $33 if
double sided pth is OK, otherwise they quote $26 for a single sided board.

Also worth looking at RAK <http://www.rak.co.uk/not/main.html>.

I've never used either of these suppliers but Olimex in particular does have
their adherents so are probably worth a punt.

Hth,

--
Boo

The greatest difficulty I've found is getting a PCB manufacturer who can
work with artwork other than that generated by a PCB cad package.
RAK will take an emailed image file (perversely, we found jointly that an
image pasted into a word document was the best interface!!) and create a
board for you. I did not ask them to drill it as I wanted to keep the price
down. Again most suppliers need a drill file from a cad package before they
will drill for you.

I suspect that a 'kitchen sink' method as suggested by others will be the
most cost effective for you.

Regards

Bob