SMT boards--where ?

[cyclops2]

Are there any GOOD --SMT pcb companies that I can contact for small amounts and what layouts are standard, if available ?

Thanks, Rich

[Aethertek]

Surfpak makes prototyping boards that you can find at most electronic suppliers & here are some pcb manufacturers on the web. Also look at the Datek do it yourself kits, easy to get good results.
http://www.expresspcb.com/
http://www.4pcb.com/
http://www.custompcb.com/
http://www.capable.ca/rcstuff/etching.htm
http://www.digikey.com/
http://www.alliedelec.com/
http://www.philmore-datak.com/DATAK.htm

[Gary Warner]

Surfpak makes prototyping boards that you can find at most electronic suppliers & here are some pcb manufacturers on the web. Also look at the Datek do it yourself kits, easy to get good results.
http://www.expresspcb.com/
http://www.4pcb.com/
http://www.custompcb.com/
http://www.capable.ca/rcstuff/etching.htm
http://www.digikey.com/
http://www.alliedelec.com/
http://www.philmore-datak.com/DATAK.htm

All good places. You might add Pad2Pad (http://www.pad2pad.com) to the list. Free design software - easy to use too.

Gary
--

[cyclops2]

Can either of you tell me if a SMT 555 IS actually going to be narrower in width than a 8 pin 555. I am not sure if 1 is narrower than the other when PCB mounted. The design goal is to make the package as narrow as possible.
Length is unlimited.
It all goes into a small plastic tube, 8" long.

Thanks again, Rich

[Comatose]

Yes, it will be. Especially if you get one in a MSOP package. MSOP is 3mm by 5mm (.118" instead of .3" minimum) SOIC is also smaller, but not by as large a margin.

[westfw]

A quick check shows that if you keep the package orientation the same, you only
take about 1.7mm off the nominal width of the PCB pattern - those SMT leads stick
out quite a bit, and the actual pads are supposed to go even further.

However, if you can rotate the part 90 degrees and stull route a PCB, you can shave
about 4mm off the minimum width...

[added MSOP too.]

[cyclops2]

Thanks very much WESTFW.

Rich