Ordering PCBs from China
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- Опубліковано 19 кві 2019
- My experience of ordering PCBs in China for a few months with different designs and shipping methods. It's definitively more convenient and economical than etching at home.
JLCPCB Prototype for $2(Any Color): jlcpcb.com
easyeda.com/
plz share :-)
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Thanks. I just placed an order, but would like to see more on using EasyEda.
my trash channel delivers:
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This is the best video on JLCPCB. A proper honest review.
They get away with the low price because they use our designs to fill in unused space on bigger boards.
Agreed, JLPCB refund orders superfast, I've messed up 2 designs and its always a pleasure working with their support people.
That's actually a really clever way to do things. Makes it cheaper for the big manufacturers and small prototypers, win for everyone!
So it might be even reducing waste
thats nice to hear, i thought they reduce it by using really cheap labor
Less waste but I paid an even $2 which included shipping. Someone's not making any money but I couldn't walk away from that deal.
@@3deeguy I mean most of the manufacturing is automated so there probably aren't as many humans.
Services like these are a true revolution in DIY world. Its amazing that we are now able to design and have our boards built for very low amount of money and without the need to order thousands of parts
Great video, bitluni! Nice to hear about post-order stuff, like what happens if there is a problem etc.
This week LCSC told me shipping cannot be combined due to custom declaration issue.
They sent me for free in another package.
I heard they changed it just giving discounts. I didn't have a chance to try the discounts yet.
Really cool review. Thanks for pointing out the things that most reviews don't talk about!
Printed China Board 👍
haha i have never heard that before :)
Humm, good catch
Great info, much more than other youtubers have put into videos about JCL PCB, they also supply stencils which is something I did not know till a designer told me they came with his boards, really nice quality, these were 4 layer boards with QFN and BGA parts, I had fun hand placing them before they went though the oven.
Thank you for this vid. I simply ignored all the great scott advertisement, but now i will seriously consider them for my projects.
Nice video. Indeed a crash course on the design tool would be nice
Excellent overview of JLCPCB, thanks!
What a marvellous video! I have often wondered if this service was worthwhile, and it would seem it is - thanks for the heads-up.
Hi, I love your projects, Thanks for your efforts!
JLCPCB has been good to us. we have ordered 30 diffrent boards in the last 6 months. good quality for the price. PCBway is also a good source in you want aluminum clad which JLCPCB does not offer. Great review.
Looks like a few changes in the last month, 5 boards instead of 10 for $2, free color soldermask!, lcsc combined shipping not free but discounted (for now)
They change the price daily. 😂
Nice review. Saw you had the same audit failure as I showed in my latest video. I guess there's room for improvement in their order form as they do read the board size from the gerber.
Glad you decided to take on some sponsored content! Good on you man!
I also can recommend JLCPCB. During the past 4 months I ordered 7 different boards. There were no problems though these were the first PCBs I ever designed.
Good write up Bitluni!
I've used them a few times now, particularly because they will install the smd parts for relatively cheap, but the last board I did had two 0603 caps missing.
I'd also point out I've made my own too, and always do smd so no drilling holes, and then I manually edit the traces substantially to reduce the copper etch traces to minmal and make big pads and fat traces. two weeks is forever when you are trying to get product out, and usually first batch needs reversion, so 4 weeks too long.
im subbing, i hope to see more of these kinds of videos, specially on easy eda since i already use it for school and prices seem pretty cheap for a student
We had some failures with our last pcb manufacturers.
Our last one hasn't dried the solder stop mask, so we had to throw away 100 smd-mounted PCBs. (At our wave soldering process the solder messed up our PCBs. The solder did stick all over the whole PCB, even at the solder stop mask.)
Other scenarios we recently had are: displaced solder mask, forgotten to insert the circuit. (Yes, we got PCBs with prints but without the circuit...), Short circuit between nearby lanes, etc....
Nice to know how cheap PCBs can be today.
I would be interested in seeing a vid showing how to use EasyEDA.
I'll put something together for EasyEDA as I needed some time to grow into it. There are some neat tips that can speed up the work
When you panelise a design, how much space do you lose because of border edge etc? If I have a 2cm by 2cm design, could I expect to panelise that and get 25 of them on a 10cm by 10cm board?
JLCPCB is alright. I messed up my design by not including the keepout in my gerber (something that can be easily done from the pcb itself that I included just in case but oh well) and they refunded the same day allowing me to correct it and send again. A month later though and my PCBs arrived and they are nice.
I have the same positive experience with JLCPCB, no hassle and very responsive and clever support staff.
You are also the first reviewer that pointed out the autorouter in EasyEDA, which I use all the time, Some versions have problems (routing across holes for instance ) but that can be easily fixed. New versions are regularly supplied.
The best feature of EasyEDA is the huge number of available footprints and the ease with which you can make your own, if needed.
I really agree on the good customer service. They actually READ the custom text fields also when you place your order and do their best to do as you wish. I used the text field to tell them where to place their serial number on the silkscreen so it's hidden under the components later. They weren't able to put it on the other side of the board but I was still happy that they came back to me via email and we were able to clarify it quickly.
The User contributions in EasyEDA really saves up time having even some standard circuits ready and all the footprints of the micro controllers and shields.
the cloud feature of easyeda is immensely useful. the crowd sharing designs of footprints is a huge time saver. it's also satisfying to see other people use your footprints.
Great review, thanks! Can someone recommend Turnkey suppliers in China? In other words, including BoM and Component assembly as well.
JLPCB is my goto PCB house. They do assembly as well, but I have not used that service yet.
What layer and gerber file name you used for the custom milling?
I've used several of the inexpensive PCB fab places recently. They all put out good quality boards. But JLCPCB is currently my go-to. Not only are they unbelievably cheap (and quick), but if you buy components from their sister company (LCSC), not only do you save on shipping, they'll populate the boards with those parts at no cost!
For the record, I have no association with them, or any PCB fab company.
Can you please show us how you set the copper area in PCB design in easyeda? Thanks!
How did you combine the lcsc order and jlcpcb order. I couldn't select such an option, I even asked the support and they said that a combined shipping is not possible.
Is there a site that also solder the components on the board as well?
Do I have to draw in the schedule before yes kmmer to pcb?? I want to avoid scheduling & drawing directly in pcb! Can order private persons??
Interesting subject
Thanks for sharing :-)
A detail vedio on entire process would be very helpful with the Do's and Don'ts
i have built esp32 based solution, now i am getting ready for final board. What would you recommend should use esp32-WROM or put all components on my own pcb design. i dont have pcb space constraints.
I agree that JCLPCB is great and fast with their work. However, on this last order, I've been waiting almost 4 weeks for my order (prototype batch). I've combined orders from JLCPCB and LCSC and seems like DHL is dragging their heels. I think next time I'll try another shipping method.
thanks for the info .
JLCPCB and PCBWAY are fighting it out, which is great for us. JLCPCB with free colors is now cheaper than PCBWAY. The quality and turnaround is the same for both.
Pro tip - the manufacturer will add an ID number to your board (on a silkscreen layer); you can specify an area where you want them to put it so they don't ugly up your beautiful board design. For JLCPCB put the text JLCJLCJLCJLC where you want them to put their number and add a note to the order reminding them to do so.
How do you compine the shipping!?
personaly speaking,the Gerbers from Kicad also make manufacturing in JLC very well!!!!!!!!!!
---------from kicad user in china
Do they declare the real value on the package label?
Hi bitluni, I like your videos.
Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree but I have an idea for a future project. I was wondering if it was possible to create a volume button in dimmer style for a Google chromecast. I do not have the skills to develop such a thing but I think if anyone can it would be you :). Keep making the nice videos and keep the humor in them haha! Greetings from Holland
I came from your esp8266 videos and you channel is actually really interesting.
Still trying to figure out how to get the milling done ... I had made a panel with multiple layouts that couldn't use V-Cuts as they didn't go end to end on one of the lines - would have liked to just mill out the boards with mouse bites in between, but not sure how to actually do that on the Gerber files ... any hints?
I linked brians video on that topic in a infocard. You can use "gerber tools" to place boards and mouse bites
I know I'm late to this party. My experience with JLC has been good, but shipping times are very different from what you're saying. I live in the Eastern US, and DHL will arrive within 3 days of shipping, or 4 days of ordering, excluding weekends and holidays. The regular shipping takes a minimum of 3 weeks for me.
I would really like to see a video about EasyEDA. When I don't do a PCB for a long time, I have to "relearn" the PCB designer software again. So, is EasyEDA really easy? Do you have any experience with Kicad? If yes, how does this compare?
How can you combine shipping? I tied to upload gerber but i cant select combine shipping.
Just after ordering the PCB, order the components from lcsc where you can select combined shipping.
why anyone would bother with etching or cnc is beyond me. jlcpcb delivers me 2 or 4 layer boards in 3 days with plated through holes and si for super cheap.
Please.. make a video bootloader installation in new arduino Ic atmega328P, atmega328PU
what is the price difference between e.g. 10x10cm pcb and five 2x10 pcb panelized in a 10x10 space?
Same price... But u have to panelize yourself
I use both JLCPcb and PCBWay for prototyping and small runs of PCBs. I find JLC are best on price, although when I've ordered, different colours etc increase cost quite quickly. They offer custom sized stencils too, which is nice when you do not want a full sized framed stencil. PCBWay can be faster if you pay the extra for express manufacturing. I've had them produce boards in under 1 day! The shipping time (via DHL to UK) is usually around 3 days for me from both PCBWay and JLC. I think the quality of both is about the same - PCBWay is better if you go for green PCBs though, as JLC seem to use panels with writing on them at times, which doesn't look too good - but ok for prototyping.
Currently PCBWay offer PCBA and JLC do not, although a JLC sales person told me they will offer PCBA this year! I'll be interested to see the price.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm working on figuring out the PCBA stuff atm. PCBWay seems to be the way since JLC only offers this to the chinese market, yet. But I'm happy to read that some international competition is coming. I noticed the "watermarks" on the green ones, too. However it's not really bothering me since I try to use copperfill on both sides lately and since the colors are no extra cost I play around with those :-D
how well does pcba do assembly? i would love to see jlcpcb do assembly. i'd be much more inclined to make complex boards if i could find a good assembly house. right now i keep my designs as simple as possible to keep the assembly time down.
@@bitluni Haha, yes I have been doing exactly the same with double-sided copper fill, as it looks better and reduces vias, which saves space, and can make the back of the board cleaner when the aesthetics matter :) Up until recently JLC used to charge quite a lot extra for different colours - I'm glad they stopped that! The PCBA prices from PCBWay are "ok", but cannot compete with a dedicated run,if you are looking to make a 1000+ units. I'm currently getting quotes for a project involving PCBA of a few thousand of a two board solution, and if the Chinese manufacturers supply parts as well as PCBA, it's insanely cheap - in fact far less than the cost of the components alone for me! Just waiting for samples to ensure they match the specs. We did a tour of factories in Shehzhen last year to find suitable manufacturers - well worth it, as some are far more suited to particular types of PCBA than others, and the tour guides speak English, which can be an issue trying to reach manufacturers online I've found!
Thanks very much for all of your videos by the way!
@@TMS5100 Yes I am kind of the same - I'm ok with SMD down to 0402, and other fairly small pitch packages, but often would like to use BGA chips, and some tiny pitch parts that are very hard to accurately place by hand (for me at least!) to reflow. This is what I use PCBA for with PCBWay - they are very good at helping with the process. You can do a rough quote online, then refine it after submitting the actual designs etc, as allowing them to source parts might save quite a bit of cost and wastage - you'll lose parts when they set up the PaP with reels and tubes you supply.
Hi, did you panelize boards by yourself or you used their service? Also is there any extra charge for breakable tabs(panel)?
For the v grooves I used the tool in easyeda. For the mouse bites I used the tool shown in brians video linked in the info card
@@bitluni i tried using gerber tools but they told me. How they won't do it and wanted to charge me aidtional 8 dollars
Nice, finally a neutral perspective of jlcpcb and no aggressive advertisement. I might give them a try soon. I wonder how good SMD PCBs are going to be ^^
Just give them a try. I also tried them before they offered to sponsor a video and they offer good quality at low prices. You can see some of those boards - including me soldering SMD parts - in my latest videos...
I've been using them a fair bit lately and have had really good results, though I am a bit of a newbie. But I've done 4-layer boards with lots of SMD components, and it went well.
Was looking at getting gear to make my own PCB's but... after looking at some prices it makes no sense. I've only had 3 boards made but they came back perfect, shipping was combined and get multiple boards basically for no extra effort or cost. I tried PCBGOGO and was more than happy.
making own pcbs is just a waste of time now. it's impossible for home hobbgyist to make boards of same quality, let alone with plated through holes and silkscreen. just not possible. and completely forget 4 layer boards - just simply not possible at all. just use china pcb fabricator and get perfect boards for cheap.
I love your approach to taking on a sponsor. It's always really hard to get any kind of transparency these days... Speaking of transparency, are there transparent PCB?
translucent yes transparent no
I would love an Easyeda tutorial for beginners video.
I need to make a kind of sensor shield for the ESP32, maybe you could make that as example. :)
I you should use a logical converter for some pins, like I need too. Because most of the sensors are 5v and the ESP 3.3v.
Just make a female pin header for the ESP and the Logical converter and some Male for the sensor.
Please, make sure to show how to use the printing letters on the board part.
The ESP8266 and ESP32 GPIOs are 5v safe, a logic converter isn't usually necessary.
@@CrimsonTide001 Do you have documentation to support that?
Can you please show how to panelise boards for best prices?
I think mickmake did a video on this
@@northshorepx thanks for that, I'll go do a search.
Kann es sein, dass man LCSC und JLCPCB Bestellungen nicht mehr kombinieren kann? 😱
why do you need many of same board?
To sell?
JLCPCB are really reliable. According to me they are one of the cheapest and best PCB fabricators.
Standard review - if gerbers correct probably can't balls it up too much. They want makers with UA-cam channels to promote them. I think have 50 different boards from them already. Yes the free colours are great.
I get from pcbway have never had a problem.
me too, good service and high quality always there
Am I believing my eyes?? I see that jlcpcb is now offering smt ASSEMBLY services to the USA now (and possibly Europe too?).
Maybe it's time to revisit this topic!
You could say more, how to create panelizing at $2?
Copy and paste?
@@IanTester I mean that it breaks like chocolate 3:34, or there are holes in it like 3:40
@@alexrastafaria3374 The first is called v-scoring. The second is (I think) called "mouse bites". I don't know how they're added to the design and would also like to know. I guess they're added to a special layer?
@@IanTester I've seen this type of "mouse bites" panelizing in HACKADAY, the name of the Gerber Panelizer program. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the files from this program are correctly recognized by JLCPCB.
I am also interested in undersized pads in the shape of beans as for micro usb 1:15.
I would also like to use netbook sockets that are partially in the plate, the modification of the outline for each tile is a bit tiring.
my biggest (unfounded) worry with Chinese PCB manufacturers is IP theft, what's to stop them from taking your design and reselling it.
undercutting the original creator with cheaper clones.
In china I get this for 5 RMB including shipping, in around two days... I will enjoy this bonus every month before they sucessfully compete out their rivals..
You also follow Great Scott
me like your video :D
i like your video
嘉立创给力！
JLPCB isn't always great.
I ordered pcb's two months ago. They send it to the wrong country !!!!
I live in the Netherlands, thet send it to England ??
I got 2 options from them:
1 I can order it again (and pay again !!!! )
2 They can destroy it for free ?????????
I'm still mailing with them. They won't admit that it is there fault .
This is not a good custumer service.
Really think if you want to order from them.
This chumps run the data lines right through the power supply! Amateur hour! I've got tears in my eyes!
can you ask them not to steal your idea when you send them your files?
eeeh... That's a really cheap accusation.
You think they have engineers working on reverse engineering every design so they can get designs for projects that are out of the scope of their company? Don't be ridiculous.
an easy solution- a binding legal contract that requires signature@@Sevendogtags
A solution would imply there is a problem. There is not.
then ppwk shouldn't be a problem.
Sure, this is much easier than making your own PCBs, but I don't think it's more convenient nor cheaper. First off, if we include shipping and the fact that you only need 1 or 2 for prototypes, no it isn't cheaper at all (unless they sponsor you and you get them for free, that is). Not only that, but you can make a PCB in at most 1 hour, which is very convenient for prototyping because you don't have to wait a few weeks until you forget you even had that project! Either that or pay a lot of extra money for expedited shipping, which completely negates the benefit of it being potentially cheaper. And if you make a fatal unfixable mistake you have to pay and wait again! I wouldn't order PCBs until I have a fully functional prototype, or if I really need more than 2 layers.
It really depends on the individual requirements about the shipping time. I don't bother etching currently anymore. I can imagine to do it for time critical stuff. but only for one-sided designs with a pin pitch over 0.5mm or two-sided with only a few vias. However I don't agree on the cost with you. At least not with Sodium persulfate in Germany. Regardless of the labor the chemicals still cost a few € and the worst thing is the disposal of the chemical waste. I have several jars sitting here with the saturated solutions. It's illegal to put it down the drain so I need to bring them to the proper disposal facility (what is again a hassle) and pay for it again. Do you have a better solution? I'd like to know if I could improve on that.
no way can home hobbyist make 2 layer board with plated throguh holes and silkscreen for the same price or time. and 4 layer boards are completely impossible for home hobbyist. 1 hour pcb is just a pipe dream. just not possible except for stupidly basic boards with no features and no precision required. jlcpcb is stupidly cheap, my time is worth far more than fiddling with etchants or cnc and still not getting good results. i wait 3 days for boards, that is nothing. if your time is worth nothing then maybe making boards yourself is worth it. but not for me.
Not sure where you're located, but for me in the UK, it takes under a week (sometimes 5 days) for my order from JLC/PCBWay to arrive from China without expedited shipping. I usually work on overlapping projects, so it's not a problem. The quality is obviously much higher, with tighter tolerances, and fully tested too. Plus no need to mess with hazardous chemicals, or having to drill boards and hope the sides are aligned ok too. True that the shipping does add quite a bit, but I value my time more than that - I doubt anyone can create a viable, non-trivial 2 sided board themselves in just an hour.
Maybe price is competetive but not quality. Made in Japan stuff its the only decent way