Tag Archives: dorkbotpdx

Electronics, Events

DorkbotPDX

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DorkbotPDX

While I was visiting Portland last month, I had a chance to check out a DorkbotPDX meeting.

This meeting was unlike any other Dorkbot I have seen before (in San Francisco and Austin).  Instead of formal presentations, everyone shows up at a cafe/coffee shop called Backspace (that serves beer!) and brings a project to work on or show and tell.  And, instead of meeting once a month, they meet every other week!

It was awesome.

I didn’t get to take very many pictures, but I just uploaded a few photos to Flickr.

Books and Resources, Electronics

Cheap Prototype PCBs from DorkbotPDX

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Three 2-layer boards, $5/sq inch. No setup fee!

Laen of DorkbotPDX has been running a PCB proto service for some time now, and I finally got a chance to try it out this month.

The pricing is simple.  For 2-layer boards, it’s $5 per square inch for three (3) PCBs, with no setup charge, and shipping is free.

The tunaround time is typically 9 days + first class mail shipping, which ends up being just under two weeks total fom PCB release to delivery in Austin.  This is pretty good for a group order, and signficantly faster than BatchPCB (based on my experience).

The only downsides that I am aware of are:

  • PCB orders only go out once a month, unless there is enough demand to justify a 2nd run.
  • If you wait too long, the panels can fill up.  Again, if there is enough demand, sometimes a 2nd panel can be added, but don’t count on it.
  • The soldermask and silkscreen can be any color (and you don’t get to choose!)  BatchPCB at least guarantees the standard white/green.

4-layer boards are available as well, but at a higher cost ($10/square inch) and less frequent intervals.

Entries for the next PCB order are due on October 25th.  The more orders Laen gets, the more likely he is to continue the service, so if you have some designs you’ve been thinking about but have been put off by expensive PCB costs, finish them up and get some boards made!