Pcb manufacturing

[stern0m1]

I had a pcb designed according to my specs and i want to have it manufactured cheaply.
Im, a newbie.

How can I get quotes from low cost overseas manufactures without being worried that they will rip off my design?

On a seperate related note, if someone can refer me to a reliable trustworthy company that makes prototypes would be greatly appreciated.

Im located in the usa.

Thanks.
Btw, tinkering with the moteino ignited my passion for electronics! Thanks Felix!

[perky]

Can I suggest you change your profile to add country of origin flag so we know where you are?
Mark.

[stern0m1]

Good point.
I updated. Im in the USA.

[Felix]

www.Oshpark.com is awesome for prototyping and I think your design is safe, you also have the option to share it or sell it on their site.
www.OshStencils.com for SMD stencils, unless you want to tinker with making your own (if you have access to a laser cutter), see my video on this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyB-01p7AtI

Btw, tinkering with the moteino ignited my passion for electronics! Thanks Felix!

Awesooome!

[stern0m1]

Could you recommend a place that does pcb assembly also?

Thanks

[Felix]

Since I assemble everything in-house I haven't used any assembly contractor so I cannot recommend anything first hand but I heard good things about worthingtonassembly.com
But I think you should look for something local where you can visit in person.

How about http://pcbshopper.com/ ?

[stern0m1]

Im thinking of doing the assembly my self. I watched the"DIY manual SMD pick and place machine for $20" clip.

Im wondering  if anyone tried any of the Vacuum Suction Pens that are available on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Vacuum+Suction+Pen

I see a lot of them there but they all dont have to many reviews. It seems like they dont work to well.

[Felix]

Just make a simple valve swap on a cheap $10 aquarium pump, add some aquarium hose to an empty syringe cylinder with a hole to create suction and you're done. That's how I assembled everything before I bought my pick and place.

[stern0m1]

I found the following manufactures/assemblers in sort of my area. Im wondering if you or anyone else heard of any of them. I like the idea, of touring the facility, getting to know them...

precisiongraphics.us
pnconline.com
reliancenj.com
pad2pad.com

Thanks

[stern0m1]

Are the components x and y location in the gerber files?

Thanks

[stern0m1]

Im thinking to manually cut panels of pcbs with a miter saw. Will I have a problem if I them assembled with a pick and place machine? I mean because the dimensions wont be exact.

Thanks

[Felix]

Just use fiducials on each board.

[perky]

Gerbers themselves don't usually contain component placement information as those are broken down into their constituent shapes (like pads) and are mapped onto a set of shapes that traditionally were "flashed" onto photosensitve material at certain locations to form a photplot. It's similar to using brushes of various sizes in a painting package.

Your CAD system can usually produce an x-y placement output in its reports that shows where the origin of the components themselves as defined by the CAD system are, and you'll also need to make sure it outputs rotation information for each component too. From each component type there may be a manual stage by the assembly house that maps that origin to the physical position of the component so that the rotation and position information given directly gives the actual component position for their pick and place machine to use. This only has to be done for each type of component.

Fiducials will help align the placement heads optically (but remember to leave them as bare copper and not cover with solder resist).

Mark.

[stern0m1]

Thanks

[stern0m1]

Is it known who makes the boards for oshpark? Is it classified  info?