We are continuously updating our services to you. Your feedback directly affects what we do on our Website to provide the easiest quote & order experience for printed circuit boards. Please continue to communicate your needs so we can deliver more innovations for your project needs!
Below are some of the recent customer-driven solutions we've implemented in 2007:
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New Board Features - More Options for Customers!
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PCB123 Layout software V.3 available now!
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EAGLE DFM now in Beta version.
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Soldermask Advancements for Excellence in Quality!
- Electrical Test on Quickturn Orders!
- Reorders Made Easy!
- No Holds – No Hassles!
- New Navigation & New Ways to Quote
- Board Outline Solution
- Simplify Your PCB Ordering!
- Lead-Free Silver Immersion Update and Tips
Scroll down to review these items in more detail.
Recently Added Features on Sunstone.com - More Options for Customers!
Online ENIG quoting now available to compliment Immersion Silver
Electroless Nickel / Immersion Gold (ENIG) is an excellent choice for your RoHS needs. The process has superior corrosion resistance and mechanical strength for good solder ability. Low temperature operation allows for good soldermask compatibility. The finish has a long shelf-life and can withstand multiple thermal cycles.
Quote 10-layer and 12-layer boards through our Online Quote feature.
Quote these Full-Featured Options now - It’s Easy!
Instant Quote is always available on Sunstone.com, complete with 24/7/365 customer service.
PCB123 V.3 Free Download now available!
Because of our exceptional services, our customers have grown both in numbers and design complexity. That’s why we’ve improved PCB123™ to give you the functions you need to accelerate your design process, without sacrificing the easy-to-learn user interface we’re famous for!
PCB123™ version 3.0 enhancements include:
- Real-time, bi-directional views of layout and schematic
- Full customization via the new PCB 123™ Software Development Kit
- Dynamic bill of materials (BOM) generated and updated as the user designs
- 3D design ‘fly through’ viewing features
- More fabrication options and services
Read all about our PCB123™ layout software and see if it is right for you!
Make your “Eagle” soar! EAGLE DFM now in Beta version.
Attention Eagle CAD software users: Sunstone DFM Add-ons put Design for Manufacture right where you need them: IN the design phase, WHILE you’re making design decisions.
Request your free DFM rule deck for Cadsoft’s Eagle PCB Layout Editor from our Sunstone Labs web site.
-Free to use
-Easy installation document included
-Contains the settings needed to design rule check your layout against Sunstone’s manufacturing capabilities. Sunstone takes the pain out of setting up your design rules.
- Every design submitted for order that uses this Beta version will be double checked by Sunstone’s CAM team for any potential manufacturing problems that may still exist.
-Saves you time, turns and money.
Watch for more DFM offerings in the future for Altium and OrCad users!
Soldermask Advancements for Excellence in Quality!
Testing has been completed and we are ready to move forward with the conversion from Electra EMP 110 to the Taiyo HG Soldermask line.
Here are some of the key changes you can expect to see:
1) Better adhesion properties.
2) More consistent thickness over traces.
3) Finer dam resolution between surface mounts
4) Cleaner side walls / less undercut
5) Better cosmetic appearance
6) Compatible with a wider range of assembly processes.
7) RoHs compliant
8) Halogen Free
If you would like to request a sample board with the new solder mask finish, or you have any questions, concerns or feedback, please contact us today at support@sunstone.com
At Sunstone, we are always working to improve our processes in order to make life easier for you!
Electrical Test on Quickturn Orders!
Add all points Electrical Test Inspection - coming in late October.
Watch for our Products News Update later this month announcing this and other new features!
Sunstone.com's new innovations in online ordering proves easier than ever to reorder parts!
This new system gives you the freedom to order Quickturn boards then reorder production boards with ease! You can quickly reorder Quickturn and Full-Featured Production boards. Conveniently change quantities, add board features and choose lead-times that fit your schedule!
No files to send in, no file mapping neccesary -- just a few clicks from your Sunstone login and you're done!
Our intuitive instant quote, order and reordering system allows you flexibility and control to upgrade past orders from any of your Sunstone, PCBpro and PCBexpress past order history within one easy to use account manager!
With your Sunstone account you can easily:
- Upload files when quoting
- Store your payment information
- Save quotes for future ordering
- Create simple reorders for add-on features, flexible lead-times and higher quantities
- Save quotes for easy sharing with purchasing dept.
- View your order history, saved quotes and easily reorder within a few clicks!
- Track your orders
...and MORE!
There is true advantage for long time PCBexpress and PCBpro customers to view past order history just by logging into your new Sunstone account. Since you are already a customer of ours, your Sunstone account is waiting for you!
Log in to view to view you order history and try our new reorder system now!
No Holds – No Hassles!
Your Order Arrives On Time - Everytime!
We're committed to keeping your project on schedule and making it right the first time. Make sure you provide a phone number -- we'll do everything we can to contact you day or night to personally work out the solution with you to keep your order OFF hold. Many times we can get the order back on track in a matter of minutes, with a simple phone call! Around the clock, Sunstone never stops working for you!
Don’t take our word for it, see for yourself why Sunstone is the company of choice for your time sensitive, quickturn projects! Try our quote & order process now!
New Navigation & New Ways to Quote
Sunstone.com New Navigation! Our new website navigation layout allows your experience on sunstone.com be a pleasant easy visit to find what you need quickly. New website functionality makes it even easier to quote and order than ever before! Try our quote & order process now!
New Ways to Quote! We now have a Sunstone quoting gadget on Google. Board quoting for your iGoogle homepage puts our Sunstone order engine right at your fingertips.
Follow these directions to use the new sunstone Gadget on iGoogle
· Sign in to your iGoogle account: http://www.google.com/ig
· Click on the “Add Stuff” link on the right upper area of the page above the gadgets
· Then on the gadget directory page click on the “Add by URL” link up in the page header area.
· Add this url to the textbox : http://www.sunstone.com/gadgets/iQT.xml
· Then click on the “Back to Homepage” link
Board Outline Solution
Question: When placing my quick turn order, I am asked whether I want to use a default rectangle or hold for outline redraw. What is the difference?
Answer: Our quick turn service uses your board outline to program the shape of your board. At Sunstone, we give you the opportunity to obtain a prototype circuit board in any shape your outline is drawn, provided you have submitted a continuous line with no breaks, and a space large enough for a .093 router to get to. There is no limit to arcs, angles, number of sides! Here is just a sample of a board shape that contains arcs and angles:
Because our quick turn service is so automated, the "default rectangle" question allows us to understand your intent when placing the order.
Many customers are not concerned with the shape of their proto type run, and don't want to be bothered with being placed on hold if the outline layer does not conform- these customers have the option of choosing a rectangle board around all their circuitry that we will generate and keep the order moving.
Other customers are checking to ensure that the shape of their board fits in whatever encasement they may be using. In that case, giving the option to "hold for outline redraw" is available if the outline does not conform in some way, since a rectangle board will not meet their needs.
This important piece of information given to us during the ordering process lets us know up front, so we can provide you the board you want, every time, with no surprises and no unnecessary hold ups!
We are dedicated to helping you find the right solution quickly!
Simplify Your PCB Ordering!
Engineers tell us they must submit quotes to their Purchasing Department for authorization prior to placing an order which can cause a delay in getting the purchase setup. Often Buyers and Purchasers tell us they do not know the file information for gerber file layer setup, this can add unnecessary pre-manufacturing delays.
Sunstone understands these pains in ordering and we strive to reduce barriers and streamline the communications for your buying experience so you can easily order the boards you want when you need them!
Allowing others to access your Sunstone account helps save you time so your projects move even quicker!
Why share my account?
- Allow others to view quotes, order history and easily reorder from one location.
- Easy file upload and gerber mapping within the account window.
- Track orders for instant processing status.
- Purchasing Dept. can easily access and print accounting records.
Easy Steps to eliminate the guesswork:
1.) Log into your Sunstone Account then quote the boards you need.
2.) Save your quote to your Sunstone account.
3.) Notify your Buyer or Purchasing Agent that your saved quote is ready for review.
4.) Your Buyer or Purchaser can log into your account, click the quote to submit and complete your order.
5.) They can complete and submit the order without touching the file information by clicking "send file later"
6.) When the order is completed, the Engineer can log into the account to upload and map the gerber files.
Tips:
- Saved quote email confirmations can be forwarded to the Purchasing Dept.
- Order confirmation email asking for files will be sent to the email address for the acccount. The link within the email may be clicked to upload file saving you a step from logging into the account.
Lead-Free Silver Immersion Update and Tips
Thank you to all who have tried our Rohs compliant service and given us your feedback. We are happy to be able to offer this environmentally compliant lead-free finish at NO extra charge to you, our customers!
Every process has a learning curve, however, for Sunstone as well as our customers.
Here are a few things that we wanted to share.
1. The silver finish on the boards is very flat, and looks very light in color. In face, we’ve have a few customers contact us after receiving their order concerned that we may have inadvertently applied white silkscreen ink or a white ceramic coating to the solderable surface, instead of silver. After attempting assembly, these fears were alleviated.
2. Because of the industry demand for High Tg, High Td, and Low CTE RoHS compliant laminate for the manufacturing of lead-free pcbs, we currently stock only 1/2-oz. and 1-oz. copper weights in our most popular thickness (0.062"). For any other variations, we advise checking with us for material availability to avoid any hold up. If you require some special weights or material thickness for your project and you are still interested in the immersion silver finish, you are welcome to use our standard FR4 material. Your board will still be Rohs compliant, but may not have the ability to withstand as many rework cycles in the assembly process.
3. Ask us for your free immersion silver, Rohs compliant sample circuit board! This will give you the opportunity to view, handle, feel, and solder to this new surface finish. We think you will be pleased with this product and place your next Rohs order with us!
