Electronics Forum / Electronics / June 2004

I don't normally do this, but I was so impressed with this Bulgarian
company that I thought I'd pass this on (I've got no association with
them apart from being a satisfied customer):

http://www.olimex.com/pcb/index.html

Only $US26 + $US8 shipping for proto boards (160mm X 100mm - Eurocard
size), which includes 2 solder masks, 1 silkscreen, solder plating
etc. They will panelize as many small boards onto the panel as you
want for no charge (they use a guillotine, so the finish isn't
perfect, but it's fine).

The quality is not quite as perfect as some Australian companies I've
used in the past (a few tiny marks on the solder mask, but nothing to
worry about), but the cost is MUCH less. I'll definitely be using them
again.

They also do a lot of cheap programmers and development boards (Atmel,
PIC, ARM, Texas Instruments), I ordered a cheap PIC programmer and it
seems to be fine.

For the first order you have to fax an order form with your signature
(after sending them your files by email), but after that you just
email future orders. I had trouble faxing the order, so I just scanned
the signed form and emailed it, which worked fine. PCB manufacture
takes 3-5 days, and the cheap shipping takes 1-2 weeks, though you
could choose a more expensive shipping option if you needed them
sooner.

Any of your technical questions are probably already answered in the
Tech Info tab of the above website. Note that the drill sizes are
specified BEFORE plating - plating reduces the diameter by about
0.1mm. This is unlike most other PCB places, in which you specify the
FINISHED hole diameter.