Ed Anderson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 475
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 Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject: ExpressPCB was : Need low cost schematic program |
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While I have been a satisfied customer of ExpressPCB for a number of years
and think they are indeed a great PCB provider, I have lately found some of
there limitations - well, rather limiting. I have decided to convert my
project design from through-hole to surface Mount (ugh! those components are
almost invisible!).
In order to keep my sanity, I decided that using a stencil to lay on the
bare board for a limited number of units would be an ideal way to go. This
stencil is simply a thin metal (or plastic) sheet with holes very precisely
cut to fit over those component pads you wish to have a solder paste
deposited on. So you put the paste on the stencil and use a squeegee to
pull the paste across all the holes in the stencil thereby depositing the
solder paste only where you are going to put a component.
Then you use a magnifying glass and tweezers to put the tiny components on
their pads and pop them into an oven and voila (if everything goes right)
you have a solder surface mount board.
Now the problem is that ExpressPCB does not offer the stencil service,
furthermore most firms offering the stencil service require a set of Gerber
files (normal CAD output of most PC board software). You can not directly
produce one from the ExpressPCB software. You must pay an additional $60
for a Gerber file from ExpressPCB. This is the file that EAGLE and some of
the other readily available PC board software produces that file as a normal
course. So $60 just seems a bit much when there are package that produce it
free.
A PCB software package that produces such non-proprietary Gerber files also
give you a much greater range of service providers including all the way to
China (very nice prices if you can stand the transportation delay).
So I believe, as Bob pointed out - it all depends on what your needs are.
For one of a kind, or a few, ExpressPCB offers a valued service at a
reasonable price. Up to now, I have used no other. But, some of their
limitations in face of my current needs are causing me to reconsider.
FWF
Ed
Ed Anderson
Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
Matthews, NC
eanderson(at)carolina.rr.com
http://members.cox.net/rogersda/rotary/configs.htm#N494BW
http://www.dmack.net/mazda/index.html
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_________________
Ed Anderson
Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
Matthews, NC
eanderson@carolina.rr.com |
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