[sdiy] PCB Panel Recommendations

[Chris McDowell]

Thanks for this, and good points. We probably toss out 10%, maybe I just need to get a bit more strict with it. Our price point does support a slightly more "lived in look" hehe. I used to use PCBCart, but had similar solder mask issues across batches, paid more, waited longer, etc. perhaps the variations at JLC are just worth the convenience for certain applications. I do prefer their "mostly matte" product over PCBCarts "near velvet" from a fingerprint angle. So far I can echo Tony's comment, that if what I'm seeing is just normal interesting variance due to manufacturing, like the textures / patterns / tool remnants, we just roll with it. Kind of cool even, I guess. But if there were a service much more like "turn my files into reality please" I was interested in hearing about it :) It's not lost on me that that's what I gave up when I switched to PCB panels in the first place! 

Cheers,
Chris M 

> On Aug 5, 2022, at 5:12 AM, mark verbos via Synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
> 
> My company did a touchplate keyboard that uses glossy black and red layers. We had to reject about 25% of the black ones even after they charged us an extra fee “to make it look good”.
> We also did a touchplate keyboard that is matte black with white print and gold plating (like Instruo or Make Noise) and so far have rejected more than half of them. Tony from Make Noise once told me that if it appears to be how it was manufactured, they roll with it but if it looks like they scratched it, they chuck it. 
> We use PCB Cart. I wouldn’t recommend using matte black, especially on a 4 layer board with blind Vias and a huge amount of gold plating (they are CRAZY expensive).
> But, maybe you are comfortable with more “variation” or a more “lived in look” than we are.
> 
> I think I can say with some certainty that Jason from Instruo is not flying to China to inspect the production line, if that’s what you mean. 
> 
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> 
>> On Aug 5, 2022, at 5:56 AM, Mike Beauchamp <list at mikebeauchamp.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Chris,
>> I'm curious about what qualities issues you've noticed with JLC? I'm currently considering them for an upcoming job and haven't had issues with them so far (but never used them for aesthetically important stuff)
>> 
>> I noticed they have a new feature for a "high quality" silkscreen layer, which could be helpful for front-panel PCB uses.
>> 
>> I haven't seen Instruo's stuff in person yet (maybe someone will have some at Knobcon?), but is that not just a matte black resist with gold enig finish?
>> 
>> It might be more about your PCB software and the resolution available when converting graphics directly to copper layer etching?
>> 
>> Also Pete Hartman made a really good point that Instruo would definitely be discarding flawed boards during an inspection if there's some sort of inconsistencies that come up occasionally.
>> 
>> 
>> Mike
>> 
>>> On 8/4/22 16:58, Chris McDowell via Synth-diy wrote:
>>> Howdy list,
>>> I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions or insights for where to get quality PCB panels for eurorack modules. I've used itead studio and PCBWay in the past, JLCPCB most recently, but they all have had some quality issues and inconsistency. I look at Instruo, for example, and am jealous of tasty and consistent they look :) though maybe I'm just imagining that they're better!
>>> Any recommendations out there? This would be for black / matte black, exposed ENIG finish for graphics.
>>> Cheers,
>>> Chris M.
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