ITEAD Circuit Boards

I created a modified version of my PK2 programmer design (which is based on the open source Microchip PICkit 2 design). I removed the power plane and replaced it with a series of 0.020" traces. I also added the option to use a Mini B USB connector. 

In the past I've used the ExpressPCB $85 prototype service to get three 2.5" x 3.8" boards with silkscreen and soldermask. But there are many different choices to get cheaper prototypes if I have the gerber files. As I've mentioned, in a previous post, CopperConnection imports ExpressPCB files and can export gerber files. I did this and sent the boards to ITEAD Studio. Several people told me they had great success with them but they are a lot slower than the ExpressPCB service because of the shipping time. Since saving money was more important than speed in this case I decided to try it.

You have to select the service and then buy it based on the size of the board. I selected the 2Layer process for 5cm x 10cm board. It cost just over $20 with shipping for 10 boards. I could only get three boards out of the ExpressPCB option so this already was an advantage. The ITEAD option works out to just over $2 per board versus $28 for ExpressPCB. So the $85 versus $20 is a savings of $65. Since CopperConnection Studio edition for $50 is required to get the gerbers, this one order makes the CopperConnection investment well worth it.  After you order and pay for the boards. you will receive an email asking you to send in ... 

the gerber files. On March 13th I received the email and I attached the .zip file of gerbers that CopperConnection created and sent them on their way. On March 18th I received another email stating my boards were completed and were shipped via Registered AirMail and a tracking number. When I looked up the number today on the 24th it showed no update so I can't give my reaction to the quality yet cause I don't have the boards. As soon as I do, I'll post an update in a future blog.

I was told that I could pay an extra $10 to get them shipped by DHL and get them in about a week. I may try that next time.