When you say you need two different ones, are they totally different, or
could you have both simply by having a few links on the pcb? That way, only
one tooling up cost.
Brian

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"TonyL" wrote in message
...
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
TonyL wrote:
You people have given me great advice before (grovel, grovel) so
here I am asking for some more.

I've made PCBs before but always as one-off projects using transfers
and etch resist pens. But I need to produce 50-60 now !

There are very much easier ways these days - by drawing out what's
needed on a computer.


Yes, I've got that far. For example:
http://www.freepcb.com/


I think I've seen firms advertising on Ebay who do small runs. Of
course that might mean 20,000...


I got an estimate from a company picked more or less at random. Price
wasn't bad at 1.50 UKP per board, but "tooling up" charge was nearly 100
UKP. Actually less than I expected but I also need a smaller (around
10-20) quantity of boards with a different layout which means £200
initial outlay.

Or should I go ahead get a photoresist kit and supplies ? I'm
starting from scratch here with a few working prototypes on
veroboard.

Have a look at RS Components site for the options on small DIY
production runs.


OK, thanks. Willdo.

One way is to make a transparency and use that to mask a board coated
with an emulsion then exposed to UV and develop. Then etch in the
normal way.


That looks the most likely option for me.

UV boxes start at around 70 UKP, though. Surely they are just boxes with
UV bulbs and maybe a timer. Any reason I can't make my own box and buy a
replacement UV bulb or two ?

There's now another option - you print to a special paper
and iron that on to plain PCB. Haven't tried that one yet.


I assume I would have to print out a fresh one for each pcb.....OTOH they
could be done as in multiple boards per sheet and seperated after the
etching is done...hmm...

Thanks for the ideas.