Before delving into the ways a design team might get both a cheap PCB prototype and full PCB production, let’s look at the overall process to figure out why this is even a concern.

Is There Such a Thing as a Cheap PCB?

PCB manufacturing processes make it seem as if a cheap PCB prototype is impossible, and that bulk PCB production is cost prohibitive. The basic process of a two layer (or more) PCB involves:

• Designing the board – Creating blueprints using the appropriate software and file formatting can be a relatively expensive endeavor since investing in software may be required.
• Printing –The design is printed on films, in some production processes, as this helps troubleshoot the design, but some firms use specialized software to identify potential shortfalls in the design even before a cheap PCB prototype is ordered.
• Production –Building the substrate, printing the layers, UV hardening, copper removal, lamination, inspections, pressing, drilling, plating, imaging, etching, soldering, and even silk screening stages are then used to create the PCB before the final prototype or board is tested.

This process holds true, even if it is just a single layer cheap PCB needed for something as simple as a calculator or other lightweight electronic device. This means that the production of a single PCB can be impactful to the budget. The more complex, the more design and evaluation is needed, and the higher the risk of errors that could lead to a large batch of flawed, and therefore useless, PCBs.

How to Guarantee That Even a Cheap PCB Is Effective

For many electronics firms and companies in need of at least one type of PCB, the idea of a cheap PCB typically translates to something outsourced or produced overseas. This eliminates a lot of the quality controls usually present in a domestic option, and it is why Advanced Circuits is an ideal resource for any company wondering if traditional PCB production and cheap PCB can yield the same, optimal outcomes–regardless of complexity.

The answer to that concern is simple: Yes, we offer the best solution for cheap and production PCBs. This is because we make an abundance of free tools available that help to streamline the manufacturing process while also guaranteeing that some of the costliest issues just cannot occur.

Advanced Circuits is a full-service manufacturer of PCBs with over twenty years of expertise and experience. Our focus is supporting clients and facilitating projects of any kind; even on the most limited budgets. We do this by providing the following resources:

Free PCB Layout Software – PCB Artist: It does not matter if the design team is highly advanced and skilled, their time still costs money and boosts production expenses. This can turn the creation of simple or cheap PCBs into a far more expensive issue. This software, made available in an unrestricted format for clients, can design PCBs of up to 28 layers. It has full integration with a library of more than half of a million parts, a controlled auto router function to streamline and speed up design, and multi-page schematics that replace costly and difficult to read film printouts. Entirely free to use, intuitive and simple, it is considered industry-best where printed circuit board design tools are concerned, and those who order from Advanced Circuits enjoy full use of the program. This cuts costs and helps ensure that cheap PCBs are possible.

Free PCB File Check: Whether or not a team uses the free resource that is PCB Artist, they will certainly want to use our FreeDFM program. This is an evaluation tool that requires design files to be uploaded to the site, and then a series of diagnostics are run and guarantee that the most glaring errors are corrected automatically. It also poses questions of files that seem to have potential errors. This prevents the creation of a batch of flawed PCBs, and the company extends a discount to clients that run designs through the software as part of the submission process.

Using the design and file checking programs costs a client nothing but the time it takes to export the Gerber (or other file types), upload them, use any of the tools, and register for a full report to be sent via email. Along with the report comes a discount code to ensure the cheapest PCB creation process possible.

Saving Even More on PCBs

Besides these resources, Advanced Circuits offers the most affordable, high quality PCB production through such features as:

• No minimums: Whether it is one PCB produced in a day, or multi-layer PCBs produced with the best on-time shipping record in the industry, there are no fixed lot requirements locking a customer into huge, bulk orders and more product than might ever be used.
• No tooling fees: Standard specifications on a PCB design mean no tooling charges will apply, and even Custom Specification orders reordered as Standard Specification orders also have the tooling fees waived.
• No subcontractors: One way that some firms cut costs is to sub out the project, but with a massive domestic production facility, Advanced Circuits’ clients can rest assured no brokering is involved.

It is not always true that cheap PCBs and standard PCBs can be produced to the same high quality standards. Clients that use Advanced Circuits’ cost-cutting resources and industry-leading services will discover that affordable components can also be high quality, complex and reliable ones.

Cheap PCB sourcing from less than reputable vendors can be costly.  Poor quality standards is a typical issue, but there are other important factors to take into consideration, such as turnaround time, consistency, and service.  Cheap PCB manufacturers in China and Taiwan usually have long lead times and since boards have to be shipped across the world there are high shipping costs if faster shipping is required.  Not to mention frequent U.S. Customs delays and even import duties to be paid once you receive the boards.  Communication and customer service from some of these “no touch” PCB manufacturers can also be an issue.

Looking for Cheap PCB Prototyping without Sacrificing Quality & Lead-Time?

Advanced Circuits has created a special pricing option for 2 and 4 layer printed circuit boards that are made using the same high-tech equipment, materials, and quality standards as our Standard Spec and Custom Spec options.  This option is great for prototyping because it was created for those that need very small quantities and are shipped in as fast as one day.  There are three low-cost PCB prototyping options available:

For 2 Layer PCBs:

• BareBones – Our BareBones is a very basic board on FR4 material with 1 oz. copper and Tin Finish.  BareBones do not have solder mask or silkscreen, but the biggest benefit to ordering these boards for prototyping is the ability to order as few as just 1 piece with the turn time of just 1 day!  Note that you can get your BareBones for free when you place a Standard or Custom Spec order for the same part number – click here for details.
• $33Each – Our $33Each deal is also a simple 2 layer board on FR4 material with 1 oz. copper and Lead-Free Solder Finish but it does include solder mask and silkscreen on both sides.  The great benefit to using this deal is you can order as few as just 3 pieces that ship in 5 days and you can have a board as big as 60 square inches without additional charges for the size of your board.

For 4 Layer PCBs:

• $66 Layers – This deal is great for simple 4 layer boards with 1 oz. copper and Lead-Free Solder Finish.  Boards can be as big as 30 square inches and still qualify for this deal!  Order as few as 4 pieces with a turn time of just 5 days.

These low-cost alternatives can give you peace-of-mind knowing that your prototypes will be manufactured quickly and arrive on time with the high quality standards you can expect from Advanced Circuits.

Advanced Circuits “Hands-On” Approach: Did you know all circuit board design files are manually inspected by our experienced CAM engineers to find manufacturability issues prior to production?  This helps customers fix any possible issue before production starts to avoid receiving boards that are not usable.

To learn more about our 2 and 4 layer PCB special pricing options, please click here for details.