PCB: panel vs single board

[Jouellet]

hi folks,

Lately, I had my first "professionally made" PCB done.

The deal was that it had to be below 100mm x 100mm

One if my design was way smaller than that so I thought "I'll just put more than one per board" thinking I just had the "idea of the year", while staying below the 100x100 limit

Manufacturer asked for more money as it was considered a "panel"

What exactly are they considering a panel ?

As soon as you have more than one of the same ? What if I don't require them individually cut ? (I have something to cut them)

What if they are slightly different, like difference on the silkscreen (serial number, let's say) ?

Why do they care so much, since I was way below the size limit ?

Anything else I should worry about when dealing with panel ?

 

[BobK]

I have had multiple copies of a board manufactured to fit in a specific size the manufacturer wanted, then cut them apart myself. Are you asking the manufacturer to cut them apart? If so, that is likely the problem, it is an extra step for them.

Bob

 

[Jouellet]

Hi Bob,

my Gerber had 4 of the same exact design, side by side, with a line of drilled holes (1mm, 0.15" apart) separating them. My goal was to either "snap-break" them apart, or cut them along the drilled line.

 

[Colin Mitchell]

Some manufactures trick you (like PCBWAY) into paying $53.00 instead of $10.00

That's why I deal with Elecrow who charge just $15.00 (when you cut the boards yourself).