Good source for small runs of metal clad PCB (MCPCB)?

[mtwieg]

Hi all, I'm looking at using MCPCB technology for a RF power amp I'm working on, but none of my normal PCB fab houses offer it. Does anyone know of a provider that gives relatively decent prices for small runs of MCPCBs (like <$100 USD each for a batch of ten or less)? Preferably something in the USA, or at least with sales reps that speak good English...

Also, most of the literature I've encountered on MCPCB is geared towards use with HP LEDs, even though I know that they have been used for RF long before that. Does anyone know if certain dielectrics in MCPCBs are more suitable for RF applications?

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[D.A.(Tony)Stewart]

Your cost targets are too low. Best Proto shop from my experience that can do anything you ask them to. Ask about thin Getek for RF over 2oz copper cost comparison with MCPCB. They offer no-touch discounts, Web order discounts and premiums for 24hr turn around. Ask about micro-via costs for RF and thermal transfer.

https://www.protoexpress.com/content/webpcb_faq.jsp?XXREFPATH=TOPMENU-PRODSVCS
https://www.protoexpress.com/content/highTechnology.jsp

If you pay only $100, either you pay later with quality issues. <My Average 10 board 4 layer proto orders were $1500.and up for complex and $300 for cheap 2Layer.

Since these costs are mostly labour, you need to go offshore if you are on a shoestring budget.

 

[mtwieg]

Your cost targets are too low. Best Proto shop from my experience that can do anything you ask them to. Ask about thin Getek for RF over 2oz copper cost comparison with MCPCB. They offer no-touch discounts, Web order discounts and premiums for 24hr turn around. Ask about micro-via costs for RF and thermal transfer.

https://www.protoexpress.com/content/webpcb_faq.jsp?XXREFPATH=TOPMENU-PRODSVCS
https://www.protoexpress.com/content/highTechnology.jsp

They don't offer any online quoting for metal clad PCBs, or any novel technologies though. Same with every other manufacturer I've seen. And they don't even explain what kind of capabilities their MCPCBs have (multiple circuit layers, available dielectric thicknesses, etc). I'm really not interested in spending hours on the phone with hammering out a quote.

If you pay only $100, either you pay later with quality issues. <My Average 10 board 4 layer proto orders were $1500.and up for complex and $300 for cheap 2Layer.

I've never paid over $150 per piece for 4 layer boards, and have always had good results, even in runs as small as three pieces. But anyways, I'm not looking for something that will work perfectly the first time. I really just want to evaluate whether MCPCBs will eventually work well for my application.

 

[D.A.(Tony)Stewart]

If you know what you want and what you got in design specs all it takes is a few minutes.

 

[Beepster]

4pcb dot com, does 1 layer mcpcb with web based quote

 

[mtwieg]

If you know what you want and what you got in design specs all it takes is a few minutes.

well that's the problem, the technology is new to me so I don't really know what I want. I mean, I have an idea of what I want in my head, but I have no idea whether that can be implemented with actual manufacturing capabilities. For example, can they do 0.4mm pitch parts on an MCPCB? Do they allow vias between the circuit and base layers, so the base can be used as a ground plane? And so on.

4pcb dot com, does 1 layer mcpcb with web based quote

Huh, I never noticed advanced circuits did MCPCB at all. They're actually my most often used service. But despite MCPCB showing up on their quoting options, the results of the quote are always "call us," which isn't very helpful. And I don't see much info on their capabilities (except that they only offer Bergquist HT-04503, which they specify for use up to 1MHz...). Where do you see them specifying only 1 layer?