I work for a company that produces cellular antennas for companies like Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. We us a PCB manufacturer called ACI for quality PCBs. Our RF engineers use programs like HFSS to create them, however, while we can produce Gerber files, we generally send ACI DXF files with "layers" specified on them.
Now, we use copper traces, not silver, and I don’t know if ACI - or another PCB manufacturer provides silver traces - maybe. You’d have to ask. But we use the DXFs to create 3D models in Solidworks. And ACI is happy to use these DXFs as well.
Maybe you could get a low cost DXF CAD program and create your own files that can be used. Of course you’d need to know PCB material thickness, the hole diameters, and the thickness and widths of the traces, which you could carefully measure with digital calipers. And know which holes (if any) are plated through holes. I assume this material is good old FR4 most likely, probably 60mil thick.
Good luck. But yes, $2000 seems excessive, then again, for a "one off" I guess that is the going rate.
I need some high quality Printed Circuit Boards Made (DYNACO ST-70)
I would like to find a manufacturer that can make high quality printed circuit boards, I was getting the from a company in the North-East but they haven't been able to provide them for me...........I have a copy to go by.......THANKS
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- 50 posts total
- 50 posts total