Mr RB
Well-Known Member
Hi, I'm after suggestions on a cheap way to make decent production quantities of PCBs. The PCBs will be small, single sided, maybe 2" square, and for surface mount of larger components to reduce drilling to zero or near zero.
Price is important. Also so is versatility, being able to make some PCBs in different variations or make a change for the next batch of 50 PCBs made etc.
Looks are not important, as long as they are functional and reliable. They will be encapsulated in an industrial enclosure so they won't be seen.
I have ruled out PCB milling because of the slow speed, dust everywhere etc.
Etching is fine, I can setup a bubble tank and etch in panels which will be reasonably fast.
I don't like the idea of using pre-sensitised UV PCB as it is very expensive but it might be an option.
I really like the idea of screen printing the etch mask on the PCB then etching, this would be really cheap and fast but would mean buying screens for each design variation and its harder to make a small change.
If anyone has a fast cheap solution to make single sided SMD PCBs with large traces (fine detail is not really needed) then please speak up.
Price is important. Also so is versatility, being able to make some PCBs in different variations or make a change for the next batch of 50 PCBs made etc.
Looks are not important, as long as they are functional and reliable. They will be encapsulated in an industrial enclosure so they won't be seen.
I have ruled out PCB milling because of the slow speed, dust everywhere etc.
Etching is fine, I can setup a bubble tank and etch in panels which will be reasonably fast.
I don't like the idea of using pre-sensitised UV PCB as it is very expensive but it might be an option.
I really like the idea of screen printing the etch mask on the PCB then etching, this would be really cheap and fast but would mean buying screens for each design variation and its harder to make a small change.
If anyone has a fast cheap solution to make single sided SMD PCBs with large traces (fine detail is not really needed) then please speak up.