Free PC board for you Engineers, Hobbiests and Pretenders.

[Analog]

its only a two layer, but what the heck, its free.

link


FREE PCB DETAILS

1. Three full spec PCBs: 2-layers, LPI mask (both sides), white legend silk (both sides), FR4, 0.062?, 1oz cu., min. 0.006" lines/spaces or greater, all holes plated thru, 0.015" min. hole size, and solder (HASL) plating finish. No slots, internal routing, or gold plating. Single up designs only. All parts individually routed.

2. Size: up to 150 square inches per individual pcb.

3. In lieu of receiving the three protos, you may elect to apply up to $150 to another order type (i.e., more layers, larger quantity, faster turn, etc.)

4. Effective dates of FREE Proto promo: NOW thru 3/31/03.

5. Free PCB offer applies to ALL new customers but Free Shipping & Handling applies to U.S. shipments only.

 

[sak]

something looks fishy here...or mabey its just me

 

[hevnsnt]

awesome! thanks!

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Is it just me, or does it seem like they make you order 33 copies of your board to get the 3 free ones?

 

[SIDEARMS]

I'll be the first to ask...What would you use these boards for?

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: SIDEARMS
I'll be the first to ask...What would you use these boards for?

This is a prototyping manufacturer. You would design a PC board on your PC using CADD tools, then send them the CADD files, and they will manufacture the PC boards.

 

[jasonja]

This is not a scam. This is advanced circuits and I have used this 3 free offer and it was COMPLETELY free (even shipping) and saved me over $130. The best part was that these are prototype boards, so when you go production you don't have to pay for tooling (another couple hundred in savings).

I repeat, there is no catch, call them up and ask for the code, then place your order online for 3 prototypes and submit your files. Pick the best shipping (they give you $150 credit and the boards only cost $99 for 3)

They took about 3 days to build my boards and the quality was fantastic. I have since used this company tto go production with my board design and didn't have to pay tooling or anything extra.

 

[Danzilla]

Yeah, it's a real offer, but they intend it for professionals that will be building a number of boards and who will probably pay for further services. They most likely don't want it used by hobbiest putting together some project or other. This would have been great for my advanced digital design class project, but that was years ago.

D.

 

[TTM77]

Danzilla, I agree with you on that. I too took that digital design class and have to buy the kid from school.

But it don't seem like there is any catch if you want to just order those 3 Free Prototype PCBs.

For those who don't know what Prototype PCB use for, it is that green plastic that you see with the circuit board. If you have open up an radio or alarm, etc you see that green plastic with components like resisters and chips on it already. Well, this Protype PCB I assume come with pre-drilled holes so you can put your own components on there and run cables for your tracks. This is great for someone who want to make 1 or 2 board and test their circuit first to see if it work 100% before making millions of nice looking board. This is also great for hobbiest whom have their one specific circuit that they design.

So for average people, you don't really want this. I don't really see any good use for this for average people. Unless you want to make something to kill flies in your house. *hahaha* But do becareful, this thing is hard so you might damage stuff.

 

[Harvey]

I am an electronic design engineer, and this is definitely hot for me. I just phoned them to verify the deal. It's exactly as advertised. It's their introductory promo, and they are giving away a free prototype run of circuit boards.

Of course, you have to know how to design the board and furnish the CAD files, but if you don't at least you won't be contributing to the world famous AnandTech effect.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Harvey
I am an electronic design engineer, and this is definitely hot for me. I just phoned them to verify the deal. It's exactly as advertised. It's their introductory promo, and they are giving away a free prototype run of circuit boards.

Of course, you have to know how to design the board and furnish the CAD files, but if you don't at least you won't be contributing to the world famous AnandTech effect.

cool

 

[Lockelar]

Anyone know how long they've been doing this for or if it'll last a couple of months? I'm taking a project lab course in electrical engineering semester, and this might be a nice thing to cut back on out-of-pocket expenses.

 

[jasonja]

Originally posted by: TTM77

For those who don't know what Prototype PCB use for, it is that green plastic that you see with the circuit board. If you have open up an radio or alarm, etc you see that green plastic with components like resisters and chips on it already. Well, this Protype PCB I assume come with pre-drilled holes so you can put your own components on there and run cables for your tracks. This is great for someone who want to make 1 or 2 board and test their circuit first to see if it work 100% before making millions of nice looking board. This is also great for hobbiest whom have their one specific circuit that they design.

No, you're not correct in what they mean. This is not some cheesy generic protoboard that you can find in Radio Shack. These are boards that you design using software. You submit your "gerber" files to them and they create a professionally built board created by machine based on your design. The traces, vias, pads,holes, are all specified by YOU in your design. There are some limitations to Prototype but they are more like things like no scoring, no elaborate cuts or shapes, no testing, etc.


Lockelar, It says the promotion runs until 3/31 and I used this back in November.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Where would I find software to convert a schematic to a PCB design that this place would take?
Is there any non-expensive software that can take a schematic and determine optimal PCB layout?

 

[sworshs]

Try use Protel. It may not be the best software, but it's readily available. Wish they offer that when I needed them, about 3 months ago. They are legit company. Great deal, I think I will send them more of my designs....ehehhehee

 

[xfarmer]

This great! Thanks!

 

[az1324]

Oh good now I can proto that P4 Loader.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: GnatGoSplat
Where would I find software to convert a schematic to a PCB design that this place would take?
Is there any non-expensive software that can take a schematic and determine optimal PCB layout?

protel is cool, you can use it free for 30 days. Otherwise, $5000.

 

[TheBigDogz]

you can use Eagle by cadsoft to design your PCB and export the gerber file using its CAM process

and Eagle is freeware also.

 

[Tung]

"Free PC board for you Engineers, Hobbiests and Pretenders."

haha pretenders

 

[RU482]

Express PCB is another good one. Very high quality boards, good prices, but the clincher is, you can download CAD type board design software right off of their site. Great for you folks you have cheap ass managers/bosses that still want miracles

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: redly1
Express PCB is another good one. Very high quality boards, good prices, but the clincher is, you can download CAD type board design software right off of their site. Great for you folks you have cheap ass managers/bosses that still want miracles

Very nice design tool. I figured it out in less than 30 minutes.

<edit>
Protel was mentioned earlier. I am downloadding now. it is 180 megs. you can get it at protel.com.