PCBFABExpress accepts ONLY Gerber 274X format..
there are plenty of free or cheap design software available for
example GC-prevue
http://www.graphicode.com/pages/products.cfmFor more dos and don'ts about what PCB FABexpress accepts, please
look at their FAQ...at www.pcbfabexpress.com
thx,
James "now-my-boards-are-all-professional-looking" Jain
--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Mucha" <dave_mucha@y...>
wrote:
> interesting idea.
>
> my biggest problem is in board design software.
>
> seems eagle is about as free as you get
> with functinality.
>
> what file types to they take ?
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "kingsettler2002"
> <jamesjain2003@n...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi All,
> > ..so I used to make simple boards myself, but I think the price
> > points have come down so much for proto borads that it is really
> okay
> > to get them made professionaly...for as little as $13 a borad
> >
> > I bought a few boards from pcbFABexpress (not to be confused with
> > pcbexpress) and this is what i found:
> > The minimum quantity is 5 boards; (it may work for some of you
but
> I
> > would like minimum to be a little less than 5)
> > HOWEVER..the $13 for 2 layer price is applicable to this..you
DON'T
> > have to buy 15 or 20 to get that price as other companies do.
> > The boards have been GREAT in quality...no problems at all..you
can
> > tell they get it made from some good shops.
> >
> >
> > ALSO pcbFABexpress has a great referral program. Some silly name
> like
> > Gimme20. But essentially if you refer a friend to the site and
that
> > friend orders boards..you get $20 off!
> >
> > So I was able to get 5 double sided boards for about $40 using
that
> > $20 online coupon! That's $8 a board..mask, silkscreen(legend)
> > tooling ALL INCLUDED..I don;t know how these guys can offer it at
> > such low prices --hope they have a biz model that works in the
long
> > run..but in the short term i am enjoying the prices.
> >
> > I even got my senior year project boards (from college)re-made at
> > these prices..so they look nice and clean and I can prodly show
> them
> > around as the first boards I ever designed.
> >
> >
> > has anybody used pcb-pool.com? Let me know if you have..i might
try
> > them out too.
> >
> >
> > James
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Roan" <bob@t...> wrote:
> > > I am trying to make my own PCB boards and have identified at
> least
> > (!)
> > > two areas where I need help.
> > >
> > > #1 - When I held the drill in my hand to drill the holes, they
> > weren't
> > > in very good alignment (probably an understatement.)
> > >
> > > #2 - When I try a two sided board, I will have to connect the
> > circuits
> > > on the two sides with what I think are called vias.
> > >
> > > I'm willing to spend some money (under $200) would be nice on
> > equipment
> > > to help me in these areas. I particularly like the idea of
cnc,
> if
> > I'm
> > > correct that it would automatically position the drill, but I
am
> not
> > > very skilled at designing and assembling hardware. But I might
> be
> > able
> > > to do something simple. I'm a pretty good programmer, so I
might
> be
> > > able to compensate on the software side for these shortcomings.
> > >
> > > any suggestions?
> > >
> > > thanks
> > >
> > > bob
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]