Summary of Quick-Turn PCB shop review project: Elecrow
The author evaluated Elecrow as a PCB fabrication service, comparing it to Maker Studio and other Chinese sources. While Elecrow offers affordable pricing for small batches, it was noted as significantly slower than competitors. The review highlights acceptable trace quality and soldermask coverage but points out issues with silkscreen alignment and specific visual artifacts like jaggies in outlines.
Parts used in the Quick-Turn PCB shop review project:
- PCB design files
- 5 or 10 PCBs from Elecrow
- SSOP20 package component
- Green soldermask
- 6/6 rule traces
After my initial PCB success with Maker Studio, I uploaded the design files to three more board houses. I had planned to try four or five more, but I started to get the impression that many of the China-based sources used the same fab house, so I stopped at three.
Elecrow is basic board fab service supplies 5 or 10 PCBs for $11.90, with a basic international shipping cost of around $7 for 5 boards. Although I haven’t been paying close attention to delivery time for these reviews (too many variables), I will say that Elecrow was significantly slower than the other three sources.
Several board thicknesses and surface finishes are available, but only green soldermask. Maximum board size is 10cm × 10cm. 6/6 rules are supported, though they “recommend” 8/8 (trace width in mils/space width in mils).
(Note: Most of the following pictures are larger than their default display size, so you can zoom in with your browser, or open pictures in their own tabs, to view at higher resolution.)
The smaller 32mil silkscreen text is perfectly clear. Alignment is a few mils off, and behold the jaggies in the SSOP outline. Unlike Maker Studio, Elecrow has managed to squeeze some soldermask between the SSOP20 pads.
Soldermask alignment is reasonable, but SS silkscreen is pretty far off on all boards.
Drill registration is good.
No problems with trace/flood interaction.
Traces look good. No leakage measured on 6/6 pattern. Again, note soldermask between all pads.
I’ll be back soon with more reviews.
Also see:
- Quick-Turn PCB shop review project: Master collection
- Quick-Turn PCB shop review project: Step 1, the PCB
- Finding a quick-turn PCB shop
For more detail: Quick-Turn PCB shop review project: Elecrow
- Why did the author stop testing more board houses?
The author stopped because many China-based sources appeared to use the same fab house. - What is the cost for 5 boards from Elecrow?
Elecrow supplies 5 PCBs for $11.90 plus international shipping costs around $7. - How does Elecrow's delivery speed compare to others?
Elecrow was significantly slower than the other three sources tested. - What surface finish options are available at Elecrow?
Only green soldermask is available; multiple surface finishes are not mentioned as an option beyond this. - What are the maximum dimensions for boards at Elecrow?
The maximum board size supported is 10cm by 10cm. - What trace rules does Elecrow support versus recommend?
Elecrow supports 6/6 rules but recommends 8/8 for trace width and space width. - Is there any leakage measured on the 6/6 pattern?
No leakage was measured on the 6/6 pattern during testing. - Did the author encounter any specific defects on the boards?
One board had a mysterious soldermask issue and silkscreen alignment was far off.
