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bugbrand
Joined: Nov 27, 2005
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 Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:27 am Post subject:
Futurlec PCBs |
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Hey, I'd been meaning to mention this before and now the 281 thread has urged it into action...
For quite some time I'd been wanting to get pro-PCBs made for some of my projects, but always thought it'd be really expensive unless you got loads (50+ which is far too many for me!). Then I found Futurlec for Alpha pots (!!! darn cheap!!! and lots of other things too) and then I found that they do PCBs too!
The prices are very very good - even for ordering a very small number of boards -> there's a small setup fee per order and the price of boards doesn't really change from 1 board up to 99 boards (you can get a quote for higher quantities). There's an online calculator for board pricing: http://www.futurlec.com/PCBService.shtml
Through working on the Klee and MPS I've been seeing ExpressPCB and thought about learning it. This seemed a bit frustrating as I'd gradually gotten happy with Eagle - so, joy, Futurlec accept Eagle files! This allowed me to take the first step into double sided boards --- once you get your head round where your traces are going it really opens things up! And now, partly spurred on Jurgen's SMD caps in the TripChorus, the next Weevil is going to have some SMD parts to it!
Oh yeah, I've been able to make my own SMD parts in the Eagle library which work very very nicely as body contacts for my latest Postcard Weevil:::
Previously I've been using Press'n'peel and then moved to a DIY CNC machine - this made things quicker, but it was a bit clunky and you had to watch it to make sure things didn't crap-up. These pro-PCBs allow so much more fine detail, so I've begun to use more headers - both the 0.1" straight ones and the IDC type as used for Doepfer power supplies. My reasons --- speed of assembly! As we all know, wiring a project can take freaking ages! So my method is now leaning towards getting most pots and switches to have their own mounting boards which then connect with IDC headers. Takes a little planning and its obviously a fixed layout, but in the long run its a real time saver.
Here's pics of the boards for my forthcoming bigassed BugCrusher...
Any questions about the processes?
Anyone else used the service?
((still, being futurlec, the delivery isn't really quick, but its ok and I've not paid any import tax so far)))
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| BugCrusher Pots board 1 (of 2) with headers -- 4 pots and 3 submini pcb switches |
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bugbrand
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EdisonRex
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:51 am Post subject:
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Wow, I just looked at the potentiometer prices. 
And they ship to both the UK and the European Union 
I need to finish my Klee.
Great to know about the PCBs too. They look very nice.
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bugbrand
Joined: Nov 27, 2005
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:59 am Post subject:
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Yep, the prices are great! I've generally done orders for about $49 so you get shipping for $6 and you'll never get hit for any import tax! Actually, bigger orders sub $100 have also come through fine without import tax....
As always, they're not *really* quick, but with forward planning they really make sense.
By the way, the Alpha pots are slightly shorter than the ones you get from Rapid -- this is very good 'cos I'd always had to hacksaw off several millimeters of the shaft to put the knobs on. Not no more!!!!
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ickystay
Joined: Nov 15, 2006
Posts: 143
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:08 am Post subject:
Re: Futurlec PCBs |
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| bugbrand wrote: | | And now, partly spurred on Jurgen's SMD caps in the TripChorus, the next Weevil is going to have some SMD parts to it! |
Ha! The SMT caps in his Tau spurred me to forsake to 21st century and mount little mono caps under the sockets.
Nice looking PCB's! Best of luck! |
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Fernando
Joined: Dec 30, 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:26 am Post subject:
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Bug, thanks for the pictures + report!
I suggested Futurlec for the 281 because I think their prices are right and it's maybe the best for small runs. I'm very glad seing actual pcbs in your pictures, thank you! |
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fonik
Joined: Jun 07, 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:19 am Post subject:
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| bugbrand wrote: | Yep, the prices are great! I've generally done orders for about $49 so you get shipping for $6 and you'll never get hit for any import tax! Actually, bigger orders sub $100 have also come through fine without import tax....
As always, they're not *really* quick, but with forward planning they really make sense.
By the way, the Alpha pots are slightly shorter than the ones you get from Rapid -- this is very good 'cos I'd always had to hacksaw off several millimeters of the shaft to put the knobs on. Not no more!!!! |
i ordered from futurlec a couple times (alpha pots and sliders, LM394, CA3080) and will do again.
i allway chose express delivery and received my order within a week. as soon as you order parts that are not in stock (and futurlec won't tell you!) your ordr will be delayed. that never happened to me so far.
i never order for more that 50.-USD, since i would have to pay taxes than, but that is another topic!
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fonik
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:
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oh, and concerning the actual topic: now i will have to take a look at eagle, i guess - now that i know you successfully ordered PCBs from futurlec, tom.
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numbernone
Joined: Aug 16, 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:
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EDITED FOR BEING DUMB...
How steep is the learning curve for Eagle?? Just Dl'ed the light version, and watching the tour on their site. I like the look of this better than ExpressPCB, and the futurlec PCB prices are very appetizing.
Last edited by numbernone on Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:00 am; edited 1 time in total |
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bugbrand
Joined: Nov 27, 2005
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:
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| fonik wrote: | | oh, and concerning the actual topic: now i will have to take a look at eagle, i guess - now that i know you successfully ordered PCBs from futurlec, tom. |
Yeah - do try it! What have you been using before? ExpressPCB? -- the major oversight I thought with that was that the schematic and pcb aren't directly linked, whereas in Eagle I can draw the schematic, hit the f12 key and it jumps straight to layout mode -- you can jump as you wish between them.
I had some really anxious waiting once I'd ordered my first batch of PCBs - you know, just thinking there'd be a mistake or error somewhere! But in the end it was pretty straight forward - in fact, I learned a lot about sizes and resolutions - finally I understood what mils are (1/1000th inch aaaaah).
I still haven't tried a PCB with silk-screening on it....
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bugbrand
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:53 am Post subject:
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| numbernone wrote: | Where does on procure EAGLE layout software. How steep is the cost??
I like these futurlec PCBs from what I can see. The pricing seems to be unbeatable. |
www.cadsoft.de
The Freeware version is still very capable - you can do double sided boards up to 100 x 80 mm. Nice!
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fonik
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:
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| bugbrand wrote: | | fonik wrote: | | oh, and concerning the actual topic: now i will have to take a look at eagle, i guess - now that i know you successfully ordered PCBs from futurlec, tom. |
Yeah - do try it! What have you been using before? ExpressPCB? -- the major oversight I thought with that was that the schematic and pcb aren't directly linked, whereas in Eagle I can draw the schematic, hit the f12 key and it jumps straight to layout mode -- you can jump as you wish between them. |
in expressPCB the layout is linked to the schematic. just a one-way. it helps to do the layout and to verify it. i find it very easy to create my own components and footprints - this process seems to be a little bit more complex in eagle - i will see...
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YoSynthi
Joined: Aug 29, 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject:
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Firstly, Bugs, thanks for bringing Futurlec to my attention. Very impressive PCBs, too. Nice.
Did you produce the PCBs shown with the Freeware version of Eagle, or have you splashed out on a higher spec version of the program? It's hard for me to get the scale, but the main PCB seems a bit bigger than the 100mm by 80mm limit you mentioned.
Either way, they still look great!
YoSynthi. |
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numbernone
Joined: Aug 16, 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject:
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Anybody have a "generic" Eagle file, perhaps something they have previously posted as a jpeg that I could use to pull apart and poke at to get a faster hands on grasp?? Oh yeh it would have to capable of opening in the freeware...
Basically something featuring somes of the parts we all use constantly.
This looks like a real nice program. |
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bubblechamber
Joined: Nov 04, 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:
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| thanks for reminding me about them, their prices are not as good for large runs as some Chinese factories, but for prototyping and small runs this looks great. |
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Clack
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numbernone
Joined: Aug 16, 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject:
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Many Thanks, Mr. Clack
I think I will make a big cup of tea and dig into this. |
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toppobrillo
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| Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:
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| yes thanks for the library man |
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bugbrand
Joined: Nov 27, 2005
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject:
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| YoSynthi wrote: | Firstly, Bugs, thanks for bringing Futurlec to my attention. Very impressive PCBs, too. Nice.
Did you produce the PCBs shown with the Freeware version of Eagle, or have you splashed out on a higher spec version of the program? It's hard for me to get the scale, but the main PCB seems a bit bigger than the 100mm by 80mm limit you mentioned.
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Cheers!
Yeah, that Bugcrush board is *just* bigger than the freeware would allow -- only just, though -- 4.4 x 3.35 inch.
There's still plenty of scope to make many useful pcbs though!
| bubblechamber wrote: | | thanks for reminding me about them, their prices are not as good for large runs as some Chinese factories, but for prototyping and small runs this looks great. |
Ah, I hadn't really searched so hard and hadn't seen the need for large runs (yet!). But, yeah, ideal for proto and the little guys.!.
| Mr Clack wrote: | | note: you need to change the grid mode in schematic mode to use some of the parts in that library - they seem to have been created in metric rather than imperial, or somthing like that |
Yup, I'd found that when I used that library recently.
It took me quite a while to get to grips with changing the library (mainly 'cos I was being fearful!) but its very useful and, once you've got grips, pretty quick & easy.
To note: I found the 'discrete' library to be most useful day to day for resistors / caps / etc.
I guess any such program will take a while to find where everything is!
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bubblechamber
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:
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| bubblechamber wrote: | thanks for reminding me about them, their prices are not as good for large runs as some Chinese factories, but for prototyping and small runs this looks great.
Ah, I hadn't really searched so hard and hadn't seen the need for large runs (yet!). But, yeah, ideal for proto and the little guys.!. |
I found these guys a while ago and hopefully I'll be trying them out this spring. Unless I'm doing something wrong their prices are about 1/3 of Futurlec's.
http://www.pcbcart.com/cart.php |
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Ricko
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:43 am Post subject:
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I just did a quick quote comparison. The price for 10 x double sided board, 40mm x 40mm, silkscreen plus soldermask is
Futurlec = AU$87-40 = US$ 76.28
PCBCART = US$68-93
That does not seem a big difference to me. I have used Futurlec for parts many times, and they have never missed anything, and last week handled an embarrassment where my credit card was overlimit really nicely. Certainly for parts to Australia they are my first port of call.
Cheers
Rick |
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bugbrand
Joined: Nov 27, 2005
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:
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| bubblechamber wrote: | | bubblechamber wrote: | thanks for reminding me about them, their prices are not as good for large runs as some Chinese factories, but for prototyping and small runs this looks great.
Ah, I hadn't really searched so hard and hadn't seen the need for large runs (yet!). But, yeah, ideal for proto and the little guys.!. |
I found these guys a while ago and hopefully I'll be trying them out this spring. Unless I'm doing something wrong their prices are about 1/3 of Futurlec's.
http://www.pcbcart.com/cart.php |
Thanks for the link! I'll have to have a check of their stuff.....
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numbernone
Joined: Aug 16, 2006
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Location: new york city
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject:
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| So Tom, how long was the turn around from Futurlecon your initial order?? |
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Sound
Joined: Jun 06, 2006
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| Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject:
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| Mr Clack wrote: |
also attached a library of SDIY parts for eagle someone posted on the SDIY list a while ago ( I cant remember who, but im sure they are fine with it )
note: you need to change the grid mode in schematic mode to use some of the parts in that library - they seem to have been created in metric rather than imperial, or somthing like that |
I'm trying to add a CA3080E from the SDIY library but I can't. I'm changing the gird mode without results. The CA3080 doesn't connect with other components.
what can I do? |
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numbernone
Joined: Aug 16, 2006
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Location: new york city
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| Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:
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| I am now ready to make an order for boards with Futurlec. What turn around time can I HONESTLY expect?? They say 2 weeks but... |
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