Printed circuit boards

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I’m in need of a batch of boards single sided, 4.2″ * 2.4″. I’ve got a quote from PCB way which is very reasonable, but last time I ordered from them I got hammered with handling charges for collecting the import duty by the courier. If I remember correctly the duty was about £1 but the handling charge was £18. No pay, no deliver, so no choice. Anyone know how to avoid this? I’ve no problem paying the duty

According to HMRC  as the value is < £135 the seller (PBC way) should have included the VAT in the price, but there is no evidence of that in the quotation.

Anyone got any advice?

[JAParticipant @ja]

Duncan, are you prepared to name the courier, please? I can see this becoming a problem with printed metal items from abroad.

JA

 

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

It’s a long time ago, I’ve forgotten

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Never had a problem with printed metal from Craftcloud, all duty and taxes paid at time of placing the order. Several different couriers used from DHL, Royal Mail, etc

 

Maybe Duncan’s last order was before the VAT and duty payment method was changed to the supplier collecting it at source which was a few years ago.

[paul1956Participant @paul1956]

I had some PCBs made by JLBPCB last year and they arrived without any extra costs, maybe worth trying them next time ?

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I asked PCBway, they say as long as I select DHL(DTP), FedEx(DDP) tax will be handled at their end. However I’ll try paul1956 suggestion as well, an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory

[paul1956Participant @paul1956]

I’d add that JLBPCB have a downloadable set of presets for KiCad to ensure projects are compliant with their system, plus they have (had?) a very good first user discount.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I use design spark, free from RS.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Waiting for a friend to check my board layout, so I will go quiet for a bit

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I ordered 5 boards from pcbway last Christmas, delivered by FedEx in a week for $15us all in. I just used the suggested selection. This did make use of their introductory offer.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I’ve finally got round to ordering these from PCBway, and the order form has me confused. Question followed by option followed by my best guess

copper layer       top/bottom/none                        I’m guessing bottom

solder mask        top/bottom/none/both                I’m guessing bottom

min track space 3/3 4/4 5/5 6/6 8/8                     no idea, my tracks are on 0.1 pitch and are signal layer width 25                                                                           on Design Spark

 

Help!!!!!

 

[Julie AnnParticipant @julieann]

Assuming a PCB with single sided copper and all thru hole components on the opposite side, answers are:

Copper layer – on the bottom

Solder mask – usual to have solder mask top and bottom, but could get away with bottom only as there is no copper on the top

Track and gap – These parameters should have been set in the PCB design software. Component pitch is irrelevant. Minimum track width is, obviously, the minimum track width used. A value of 8 thou should be fine and will mean the PCB is easier to make as over etching of tracks is less critical. Minimum gap is the smallest gap between two areas of copper that are on different nets. Again a value of 8 thou should be fine.

In general terms 8 thou track and gap is fine for non-critical boards with thru hole components. For surface mount 6 thou track and gap would be needed as a minimum, depending on lead pitch. For very tight layouts and BGAs then 4 thou track and gap would be needed. For fine pitch BGAs even 4 thou is too large, so one needs in pad vias, or short stubs that go down a layer. As track and gap values go down the PCBs get more expensive.

Julie

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Thanks, order placed JLCPCB, with the discount it came to $2.10 for 10 off plus postage. I’ll let you know how good they are when they turn up

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Yes, I’ve had two sets different of PCBs from JLCPCB too and there were no problems with the courier or duty. However, my orders were both well below £135 as they were unpopulated…

Easy to use online ordering system, excellent quality and delivery was pretty good too. I’d certainly recommend them.

Ten of these cost $12.85 (just over £10) and arrived within three weeks of ordering

Regards,

 

IanT

 

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