Re: gEDA-user: sparkfun 4 layer boards

[Kai-Martin Knaak <kmk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:31:27 -0700, Dave N6NZ wrote:

> You can go direct to Gold Phoenix (which is the fab BatchPCB uses) and
> buy a panel at the "special price"
> http://www.goldphoenixpcb.biz/special_price.php 155   for $99, 

Let's see, how this compares to my preferred fab (www.basista.de):
They offer 100 cm^2, 2-layer, solder mask, no testing, for 85€, shipping 
and VAT included. At the current USD/EURO rate, this is a bit more 
pricey. However, Basista delivers reliably after 8 working days and 
allows for tighter DRC rules (6 mil track width, 12 mil vias). Specials 
add considerably less than at phoenixpcb. E.g a multi panel with n times 
the same layout adds 7 EU.

Prices go way down for larger amounts. 20x 100 cm^2 with similar 
parameters as above cost 276 EU. The parameter to be looked at is not the 
number of pieces, but the total area. You get as many PCBs as will fit 
onto a 400x500 mm panel. Because of this, I often order a such a batch 
rather than the exact number I need. 


> no electrical testing, "max 15% failure rate"

Ouch! How come, they have such massive rates of failures? It`s been a 
long time since I saw generic shorts. IIRC it was about 2003 with PCBs by 
pcb-pool. Half of a batch of 24 pcbs had a short to ground plane -- All 
at the same place. Since then, I may have seen a few hundred pcbs, all 
without fabrication failure. 

---<(kaimartin)>---
-- 
Kai-Martin Knaak
http://lilalaser.de/blog



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