BkkCoins are you planing to sell complete kits for self assembly?
I ordered a k16 board but if you're going to source parts than I'm willing to wait for the whole kit.
If I could source all the parts I would offer that. Same for assembled K1s. But as long as I can't get some items at all, I won't take orders. At this time the inductors are probably doable, but the IR3895 is still impossible and more PICs are at least a few weeks away, if you believe Microchip.
I have purchased a bunch of chips as well as all other components to manufacture the Klondike. I was getting quotes from SMT shops locally (Houston) and they want to charge anywhere between $40k and $100k for producing 630 boards. However, for around $15K I can buy my own mini-SMT line here:
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/832249626/Small_smt_assembly_line_smt_machine.htmlAny thoughts on whether that Alibaba setup can do the same thing the local SMT shops can do?
I know an SMT shop in Bkk that can assemble your boards qty 500 up starting at $3.30 each. Qty 1000 only $3 each. Plus $500 tooling and setup.
They are using top quality Fuji gear and have been doing it for many years. It sounds like an economy trip to Bkk with PICs n parts in hand may be worthwhile. Plus it's cheaper to have stuff sent from China to here. I've heard several times of the assembly pricing in USA. Most are outrageous but there are a few places that seem to be reasonable. I don't know their names.
It will take a long time to buy, ship, setup and operate a new SMT line. If you want to be in that business long term then fine. But Asia is full of low cost assembly shops.