Elecrow now does large orders of 50+ PCBs by AREA not edge dimensions!

[metalphreak]

http://www.elecrow.com/services-c-73.html

http://www.elecrow.com/download/Readme%20before%20ordering%20PCB%20online%20V1.2.pdf

Check out the new options for 50 pcbs or higher. They now do HASL lead free as an option (zero extra cost) as well as ENIG (more expensive). Lead free previously wasn't an option for the "production volume" services.

Biggest news: You pay for the sq. cm of your board, not the external dimensions. So the previous 5x5cm option is now 25cm^2, meaning you can do something like a 6x4cm board without having to pay more for the 5x10cm option. Or an 11x2cm without paying heaps more for 15x5cm option.

The whole panelisation thing might get a bit confusing depending on what you want to do, but you can always ask. If you pay for 50pcs of 25cm^2, and they let you (or you let them) panelise as many single designs that will fit on 1250cm^2, that would be awesome. However, it may just be they'll make some panels for you of 50 boards total that are under 25cm^2 each which I think is the case. You can always pay extra to have multiple designs within that 25cm2 on your panel. blog link below explains it better. You need to choose the sq.cm of the panel you want, and they'll make 50 of that panel. If your panel has multiple of the same design, it's free.


Also of interest, chatting in the #EEVBLOG irc channel, it appears that as of November, elecrow is no longer printing production tracking codes on peoples pcbs silkscreen. My last set of boards from around then does not have anything on them which is awesome. Can anyone else confirm? EDIT: nvm see "no serial" here http://www.elecrow.com/blog/pcb-service-upgrading-ii/

[Falcon69]

that's Great!

But, now that they have done that, I repriced the cost for my stuff that I priced out two weeks ago.  It seems, they have raised their prices by a lot.  for 20cm x 20cm gold 4 pcb styles, and a stencil WAS $1500 a couple weeks ago. Now it is almost $2000. 

[DerekG]

It seems, they have raised their prices by a lot.

Always send them your zip files by email & ask for a price based on the exact board size. The cost will be less than the automated price worked out on their website.

There are cheaper providers in China these days. You just have to watch the quality.

Who else would other forum members recommend - good pricing & good quality out of China?

[Christopher]

My "local" supplier does 4/4 which is perfect for 0402 and tssop.

Has anyone got any examples of China manufacturers with similar ish specs?

I've had a few boards made with soic 12 thou from china and I was worried about that...