An Interview with Jonathan Hirschman of PCB:NG

Welcome Jonathan Hirschman of PCB:NG!

• The "NG" stands for "Next Generation" (think Star Trek)
• They are not alone! Refactory (Tom Kennedy) is another assembly house in Brooklyn .
• PCB:NG will be similar to other on-demand services (with low customer service needs). Sites like Moo/Teespring/Shapeways/Ponoko.
• There is not much standardization in the industry. There was an attempt using ODB++ and GerberX2.
• Dave uploaded one of his micro supply designs: http://imgur.com/f9wABJS
• The limits of PCB:NG are:
  • 4 mil space / 4 mil trace
  • 2 or 4 layer
  • 8 mil drill, 5 mil annular ring.
  • 1 oz outer copper, 0.5 oz inner
  • Surface mount only
• Betas get $1/sq inch in 6 quantity. Other future promos might include incentivizing doing everything in metric.
• Like other online services, DFM (orientation) needs to be verified in the web interface.
• "Confounding user tricks" really means dumb mistakes users make (including Chris).
• Pricing
  • Quantity 6
  • $8 sq single sided
  • $12 sq double sided
  • Delivered in 12 calendar day
• It's never quite "apples to apples" comparisons.
• Pick and place machines have a wide range of interface software. There are roughly between 20 and 30 vendors.
• The PCB:NG Software
  • After a user uploads, it gets assgned to panel.
  • Then another algorithm does the Tab routing.
  • The front end updates the database, which delivers files to machine automatically.
• In the US, assembly amounts for $35B in economic activity. However, most designs are 1-100 quantity.
• Jon as also the person who brought the Pieco paste press to market. Jon shuttered the company after the support requests became untenable.
• If you're interested in trying out PCB:NG beta and want to jump the line, use the signup code "theamphour" or "amp hour" and you'll get instant access.