You are here: News

News

Special for EAGLE users: PCB quotations with just two clicks

December 2011: With version 5.1001 and later, you can now calculate prices for PCBs and assembly directly in EAGLE.

It’s remarkably easy:
- No registration necessary
- No fee
- Fast and convenient: no typing or filling in forms

And a 20% discount on your first PCB order with this Button!


http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppus/service_downloads.html

New data format: FRITZING!

June 2011: FRITZING is an Open-Source-Initiative, which assists the creativity of Designers, Artists, Researchers and Hobbyists working with interactive electronics.

We have added this format into our list of supported file formats. Also it’s an exciting story, so see for yourself:

http://fritzing.org

New products, new sites and new markets!

May 2011: With the acquisition of Sprig Circuits (Vacaville, California, USA), Beta LAYOUT has made a major advance in enhancing customer service.

The synergy of Beta LAYOUT’s well-known reliability and speed with the experience and customer contacts of Sprig Circuits promises to open new dimensions for you.

Stay tuned for more good news in the coming months!

Target 3001! V15 PCB-POOL® Edition - now with new functions!

March 2011: The new version of Target 3001! V15 PCB-POOL® Edition is now available for download.

- SQLite components database
- PCB assembly service
- ELECTRA autorouter
- Polygon capture
- Lead-free soldering
- Directly connectable ground planes
- Manual ground plane creation


http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppus/service_downloads.html

Give me data freedom!

February 2011: 2011 Independence at last! Now you can use your data freely, independent of manufacturer.
If you place your order with TARGET 3001! V15 PCB-POOL® Edition, you receive the Gerber data for your project in RS-274X format, suitable for use in batch or mass production.

At any time you can convert the TARGET 3001! V15 PCB-POOL® Edition to an independent version available from our Reflow-Kit - Shop:

http://www.reflow-kit.com/rkuk/order_products_list.html?wg=69

Easy-going: Stencils with DEK VectorGuard!

January 2011: We can now also manufacture stencils for DEK high-speed clamping frames with the following format: - DEK VG 23" x 23" and DEK VG 23" x 29".

Material thicknesses of 100µm, 130µm and 150µm are available (other thicknesses on request).

The delivery time is either 1 or 2 working-days for the available formats. Surcharge per stencil amounts to 65.45 EUR.

PCB FORUM: You ask - we answer!

December 2010: What you’ve always wanted to know - we give you an answer to your questions relating to PCBs and our product range.

On our new PCB FORUM you can discuss things and exchange knowledge not only with us but also with other forum members.

Give us suggestions for new topics concerning the development of PCBs, software products or manufacturing and post-production.

We're looking forward to your contributions!

http://www.pcb-forum.com/

Cool in the POOL - with Aluminium-core PCBs

August 2010: Are you developing electronics for High Power LEDs, controls or power convertors that are causing your PCB to overheat?

This is where our IMS-POOL comes in:

* 1,5mm cooling aluminum
* 100µm isolation layer
* 35µm copper layer on one side

Here you can get further information and pictures: http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppus/info_pcbpool_alupanel.html

Best to test right now!
You can calculate prices here:
http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppus/order_productconfiguration_js.html?alu=1

Would you like a Free Stencil with that?

July 2010: Originally planned as just a birthday celebration, this service has proved incredibly popular.

So should we put a stop to it now? NO?

OK. Free Stencil forever....

PCB-POOl® is Number 1 again

July 2010: We are the first to accept the brand new CAD file format “Design Spark PCB”.
You just send us your *.pcb file and we’ll produce your PCB !

No need to stress with Gerber & Excellon files etc.
Are you interested in getting hold of a copy of the free “Design Spark PCB” software from RS?
Then take a look at this link:
http://www.pcb-pool.com/ppus/service_downloads.html

New specification

May 2010: Beta LAYOUT shortens the delivery time for Multilayer prototypes
Have you got an urgent requirement for Multilayer prototypes? As of now, we are offering a 3 WD turnaround for 4 & 6 layer boards.
Following on from the extremely successful introduction last year of the 1 WD delivery time for double-sided PCBs, we can now also provide our Multilayer customers with an even faster prototyping service. Naturally, as is the case with all express service orders in PCB-POOL®, the “On-time or Free” guarantee applies!

Beta LAYOUT helps with spacing constraints
Stack your components closer together! In PCB-POOL® we can now manufacture your PCBs with a track & gap width of only 0.127mm (5mil) and a minimum final drill diameter of only 0.2mm (8mil). This new service is available for a surcharge of only 5% on the basic price. Save on space and tighten up!

Beta LAYOUT now offers scoring in PCB-POOL®
Do you need your prototypes on a panel with V-scoring? No problem! In PCB-POOL® you can now select scoring (v-score) using our panel configuration facility, simply enter the array you require & create your panel - ready for assembly!

NEW: Custom front panels from Beta LAYOUT

February 2010: People say, "it's what's on the inside that counts". This applies to people of course but also to your equipment. So, is it acceptable if the technology is good but the visual appearance falls short?

We say no! – and we have a revolutionary solution for you, that gives you unprecedented design freedom for your front panels. Full-colour printing, images, logos and lettering – everything is possible.
Tailored to your wishes, economical, and top quality thanks to digital printing with photographic quality.

If you would like to know more, click www.panel-pool.com

In addition to further advantages and numerous examples, you will find free design software for downloading so that you can get started right away.

Discover a new design dimension that is guaranteed to put your panels firmly in front!

PCB-POOL® is now UL-certified

September 2009: With immediate effect, all printed circuit boards manufactured by PCB-POOL® are to be UL certified. The UL quality mark will confirm that our PCBs now conform to all the relevant American and Canadian safety requirements and as a certified UL-licensee it may be used without reserve on our products.

The UL quality mark is assigned from the “Underwriter Laboratories” only after a strict and supervised procedure - making this quality mark an extremely important characteristic for product security in the USA and Canada. PCB-POOL® customers can now also take advantage of this distinguished quality mark within the prototype range - particularly if the final product is to be used or rolled-out in the United States or Canada.

http://www.pcb-pool.com/download/spezifikation/eng_cmso018_ul_placeholder.pdf

1.0mm material thickness NOW AVAILABLE in PCB-POOL®

August 2009: As of now, our PCB-POOL® customers can choose between 1.6mm and 1.0mm board thickness for single- and double-sided boards.
The 1.0mm PCBs are only available with Chemical Tin finish.
If you select 1.6mm you can still choose between HAL (lead-free) and Chemical Tin.

Beta LAYOUT opens new market in South Africa

July 2009: The extremely successful & innovative PCB-POOL® concept is now available to customers in South Africa. The customer-friendly concept of on-line price calculation and ordering is ready to go. 20 local staff in sales and production now bring to 125 the number of workers employed in this entrepreneurial group. As well as three locations in Germany, a site in Ireland and various sales offices in Europe and the USA, this latest venture underlines the international orientation of the company.

News from Reflow-Kit shop

June 2009: In addition to PCBs and SMD stencils from PCB-POOL®, Beta LAYOUT now offers tools, accessories and aids for prototype SMD assembly in its Reflow Kit shop. The Reflow Kit shop products allow users to solder SMD circuits to near-industrial quality.

Anniversary deal : Free Laser Stencil

May 2009:

20 Years Beta LAYOUT, 15 Years PCB-POOL, 10 Years Conrad CooperationAnniversary deal : Free Laser Stencil



Should your PCB layout have SMD, you can now order a laser stencil with the following specifications FREE of charge.
  • Stainless Steel 150 µm
  • Size to be a total of 10mm (all around) larger than the PCB dimension.
  • No pad modification
  • No finishing


The paste film data will be generated 1:1 from your Layout data.

Just click: Yes - I want one!

This sale is valid for all PCB-POOL® Prototype orders.

HIGHSPEED: 1 WD Service

April 2009: As of now, PCB's in PCB POOL® are now available in a super fast 1-day service. Send us your printed circuit board files before 8.30am (GMT) and your finished boards will be ready for dispatch at 5 pm (GMT)

Omercon (R) Chemical Tin as an alternative to HAL

March 2009: Beta LAYOUT is now offering Chemical Tin as a finish.

The tinning is similar to HAL, which is a partial covering and has nothing to do with the old method of Lead / Tin reflow.
  • Due to the smooth surface finish, assembly of fine pitch is considerably easier.

  • The circuit board is not put under the same temperature stress as with the HAL process, and as such does not suffer from warping or bending.

  • The Chemical Tin surface allows for multiple soldering, and also shows great results with press-fit technology

  • The soldering parameters are on par with those of a HAL surface finish.

For more information please visit our specifications page.

New Websites

February 2009: Our Websites have had an overhaul ! However it is much more than an updated corporate identitiy. The most important new features are our new shopping basket facilities which make calculation of your order much easier.

The crowning glory is the new comparison matrix a bit like some of the bigger airline companies offer.

Also from now on you will be able to shop from all our shops. So PCBS, Stencils bits from our Reflow kit shop can all be put into the same shopping basket.

New Website

February 2009: After 20 years of Beta LAYOUT and 15 years of PCB POOL® our web site is getting a makeover. This includes a complete overhaul of the Customer Interface. But not only has the visual appearance of the website changed; some functionalities have been extended and improved, while the shopping basket system has been simplified even further. So for example stencils and printed circuit boards can now be bought from the same "one-stop-shop". The jewel in the crown of the new Shopping-basket system is a price matrix for the comparison of the selected printed circuit board specification with further options(eg: leadtime/quantity), just like price comparison sites for airline tickets which we are all familiar with today.

Anniversary, moving and new investments.

January 2009: This year we have three grounds for celebration. Beta LAYOUT is 20 years old, the sucessful PCB-POOL is now in its 15 year and our co-operation with Conrad continues to excite customers after 10 years.


Not least of all thanks to the lord Mayor Udo Scheliga Beta LaYOUT and Beta Board were able to expand within the town of Aarbergen.
Beta LAYOUT GmbH started off the new year 2009 in a bright new office building.
The compleate new kit-out of an old prodctuion warehouse sees Beta boards third production facility in a postition to start manufacture from all departments from the beginning of the year.

Investment in new machines and processes mean brand new tchnologies will be on offer and even faster lead times will be achieved. At this point in time however no more information will be released.
The managment team intend to release these new innovations bit by bit over the coming year !

Discount promo for Rapid Tension systems extended!

December 2008: We have extended our discount promo for the rapid tension system due to high demand. The special price is now valid up to 31.03.2009.

New Soldermask!

October 2008: We can report with pride that all Beta production plants are now equipped with the newest technology in the soldermask coating. From now on the application of soldermask will be computer-controlled.

All PCB POOL®-supplied printed circuit boards will now come with this extremely hard and smooth soldermask.

In connection with this development we would like to thank you our customers, who regularly gave their evaluations of our printed circuit boards and pointed out to us where we could improve.

With the soldermask in former times, particularly in the express service, factory No.1 used a foil type mask.

Thank you for your customer evaluation!

SHORTLY:
Super flat SMD surfaces! Chemical Tin as an alternative to HAL. We will keep you updated shortly.

Attention all Laser Stencil customers!

September 2008: Immediately we can offer for your Laser Paste Stencils a sensationally favorable Rapid Tension System to you. For canny shoppers a further reduced entrance price is available up to 31.12.2008. In addition you receive with each template order for this rapid tension system a discount on the basic price. This secures a fast return on your investment for you. There are naturally no royalties. When desired the razor-sharp template edges can also be protected with a plastic covering.

TARGET 3001! Version 11 available

March 2004: The new TARGET 3001! Version 11 ist now available as PCB-POOL®Edition.

What's new?
Setting a panel, Generation of testing points for measurements, Solderstop/Solderpaste to be set individually for any pad/via, Solderpaste, New Hybrid-Autorouter.... and much more..

Get your free update from SERVICE->DOWNLOAD

Is everthing new?

August 2003: Check out our new Web presentation with lots of handy functions.


Stencil-shopping is now even easier at Beta-LAYOUT.

Have fun Surfing and shopping!

Your Beta LAYOUT team

The odd exception

May 2003: In the specialist German magazine PLUS, May 2003 issue, solderpaste stencils were examined:

"...That this can work differently has been proven by the success of the stencil service offered by Beta LAYOUT."

New file formats

February 2003: Two new Dataformats accepted in PCB-POOL®: QUICKROUTE Users and EASY-PC Users can now send their *.PCB files to us.
Good news for EDWIN Users: EDWIN files are once more being accepted.

Beta LAYOUT welcomes its 10,000th customer!

January 2003: Despite the downturn in the electronics industry over the past year, there is still good news for some. This downturn has lead to an industry wide cut in funding for electronics design. Previous levels of boom-time budgeting are past. In its solution to the prototype market, a Shannon based company has conversely seen an increase in both sales and new custom. Based in the Shannon Free Zone, Beta LAYOUT recently welcomed their 10,000th customer to the Shannon facility. On placing the 10,000th order, the customer became the grand prize winner. Based in Germany, Mr. Matthias Mayer is involved with a company who specialises in electronic measuring devices. Managing Director of Beta LAYOUT, Elizabeth Nolan, had this to say "Mr Meyer represents our profile customer. He is working in a small, but highly technical research and development company. We are delighted to offer this prize to such a valued customer".
The prize consisted of a completely free weekend for two people. This included flights, accommodation, champagne reception and chauffeured transport.

With the assistance of Aer Rianta, the staff of Beta LAYOUT offered a champagne reception in the Airport when the passengers disembarked on Thursday evening. Caroline Noonan, Sales and Marketing Manager with Beta LAYOUT was very impressed with the service – "we could not have achieved such a warm welcome for our guests had it not been for Mr. Pat O’Connell and his team. They assisted in whatever way they could, and made the reception more professional and enjoyable for all". Following the airport, the winners were taken to the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis. Again, they were greeted by the Managing Director of the Old Ground Hotel, Mr Alan Flynn, and the welcome was in the true Irish spirit – warm, generous and sincere. The winners were also offered a night in Bunratty, and a trip around the breathtaking Clare Atlantic coastline, which was recently voted among the 5 most beautiful trips in Europe.

FASTER!

November 2002: Delivery time of SerieXXS has been reduced from 15 working days to 10. This means the turnaround is 33.333333333% faster!

Everything remains different

September 2002: No need to worry! It's only a new term which has been introduced by our marketing department: fast turnaround premium is now called basic price factor. Prices have not been changed.

Have faith!

July 2002: "Have faith..." we thought to ourselves after we decided to launch our customer order evaluation service. We would like to underline that the graphics for this page are generated every night and show only the data from the ORIGINAL databank! That means that none of our customers' comments are "sweetened", left out or edited! Could there be any better way of finding out whether or not something is worth buying than by taking a look at the order evaluations of 10,000 customers? Take a look for yourself: customer evaluations

0.15mm (6mil) / 0.15mm (6mil)

June 2002: It has been accepted for a long time, but now it's official: the minimum required airgap for doublesided PCBs in PCB-POOL® (except Target-next-day-delivery) has been reduced from 0.2mm (8mil) to 0.15mm (6mil). Likewise, the minimum required track width has been reduced from 0.2mm (8mil) to 0.15mm (6mil).

another super offer from Beta LAYOUT!

May 2002: In cooperation with Ing.-Büro FRIEDRICH:
FREE layout software:
TARGET 3001! PCB-POOL® Edition (6.83MB updated Version from 2002 for Win9X/Win2000/XP)

Not just a "sketch" program like the one currently on offer from a certain US competitor, this all-inclusive software package runs at a normal retail price of EUR 1,500.

The package includes the following:
  • Circuit layout

  • Simulation

  • Schematic

  • Autoplacer

  • Autorouter

  • EMV-Analysis
NOT a demo-version
NO pin restrictions
UNLIMITED size
Output for PCB-POOL® only

Now on offer!

March 2002: Due to popular demand, we are now offering single sided boards in PCB-POOL®. For details on pricing, please see our homepage under "Prototypes".

New discount program

February 2002: Join in! Let us know how happy you are with your boards. Evaluate your delivery by its quality and punctuality. When you have entered 5 order evaluations, you receive a 10% discount on one item on your next order!

Now on offer!

November 2001: OK, so it's not that exciting ... but it's worth a mention! Silkscreen is now available in standard lead time in Multilayer Pool.

Fast-Turnaround in 2 and 3 days

October 2001: You need your printed circuit boards faster? We have extended our express service for double-sided prototypes to a 2 and 3-day service. Please note that the cut-off time for receipt of order + data for 2 & 3 day turnarounds is 08.30 am GMT!!

Online order tracking

September 2001: You are up to date straight away:
You receive a link with your on-line order confirmation to allow you request an update on your job status. The output information contains the name of the person who processed your order, the name of your CAM-OPERATOR and tells you the exact status of your order from order entry to delivery to your front door!

Summer Party 2001

July 2001: It was simply fantastic!
Here is an excerpt from email which was received after the celebration:

"... you did not promise me too much, the Beta Party was absolutely g... (censored) !!! Super people, super music, excellent food, cool Guinness and much more. Thank you for the invitation ..."

Whoever does not believe us can take a look at the following pictures:

Relocation in Ireland

June 2001: Too crowded again, already (see April 1998)? Yes, in Ireland it was time for the second relocation. The new office was officially opened at a ceremony by Shannon Development (an Irish government agency). Reason enough to celebrate the evening with the national refreshment - Guinness!

Online quotation service

March 2001: Do you urgently require a PCB-POOL® price quotation? Not a problem! Simply use our online calculation program and click on the "printer version" button on your quotation. You can of course also proceed with an order if you wish.

PCB-BROKER.COM is launched

February 2001: With PCB BROKER one of the most modern European trading platforms was launched on time on the internet. Using the most up-to-date information technology, PCB BROKER is an independent online market place for bare circuit boards. The aim is to bring suppliers and those interested in purchasing boards together on a common trade and communication platform. This achieves greater market transparency which in turn guarantees you an optimised, more cost effective, quick, easy and fair .

Beta LAYOUT GmbH is ISO 9002 certified

February 2001: Beta LAYOUT GmbH is now ISO 9002 (Nr: 01 100 004044 TÜV Rheinland/Berlin Brandenburg) certified.

Anonymous FTP

November 2000: Due to the fact that our free FTP upload area has been continually used by hackers as a free software, we have unfortunately been forced to discontinue our anonymous FTP service. To send us your files, please use the upload service on our website or call us at ++353 (0)61 701170. You will then receive our new IP address over the phone as well as a username and password which will allow you to continue to send your files to us by FTP.

FTP address changed

May 2000: Note re. FTP server: our old FTP address 195.52.220.252 is no longer in use as we have moved server. Please use our new IP number 213.198.12.211

Multilayer service improved

March 2000: Cheaper, better, quicker. 4MLs are now available 20% cheaper, 5 days quicker and on request are also available in 7 working day express service. Now that all PCB-POOL® brochures have been changed to the Euro currency, prices for Series XXS and soldermask have been rounded to the next even amount in cent. Only our flat rate route charge has been rounded up by a "whole" EUR 0.24 to EUR 12.00. Good news - good buy!

BETA LAYOUT GmbH - nominated for the German Internet Award

February 2000: CE-BIT 2000 trade fair, 25.02.2000, Beta LAYOUT received a prize from the German Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Werner Mueller for its customer orientation, innovation and successful economic employment of its homepage.

An independant jury picked Beta-LAYOUT from a group of 598 contenders as one of ten companies nominated for the prize which was awarded this year for the first time.

It should be emphasized that Beta LAYOUT sucessfully uses the internet on a daily basis as a sales platform, as opposed to the majority of nominated contenders whose main business was software or some form of internet service.

The aim this year of awarding the above mentioned prize was to promote electronic commerce or electronic business on the internet. According to the Bundesminister Mr Mueller, the awards should help highlight the importance of increased internet use among medium sized companies. The competition, a part of the Bundes government's campaign entitled "Innovation and jobs in the Information Technology sector of the 21st century", will take place annually over the next 5 years using various themes and providing best-practice examples for small and medium sized companies (SMC's) for innovative internet progress.

LASER-STENCILS

February 2000: We have extended our service! In addition to your printed cirucit board, we can now supply you with a laser cut stencil. In order to meet your requirements to the highest standards, we have invested in a brand-new laser stencil cutting machine from the company LPKF.

Our Laser-Stencil webseite www.laser-stencil.com offers the familiar conveniences: online calculation, file-upload and (another) FAQ page. Your Laser Stencil questions can be answered for free on the Laser Stencil Hotline on 0800-SCHABLONE (0800-7242256). A discount of 20% is available on first-time orders - offer available up to 15.03.2000

Euro conversion

January 2000: After - thankfully- not having had any problems with the Y2K Bug, the next test we face this year is the conversion to the Euro. We have already adapted our web pages to suit the new currency. The good news for our customers is that one Eurocard does not cost the actual converted price of EUR 50.62, but only EUR 49.00 instead! Again a (small) cost saving for the electronic developer.

E-Test at POOL prices

November 1999: It can be safely said that with complex and densely printed circuit boards, a visual check is insufficient. In electrical testing, all connections on your printed circuit board are checked for opens and shorts.
Up until now, testing using a flying probe was inordinately expensive. The good news is however, that PCB-POOL® has dramatically cut the costs yet again! You can now have your boards electrically tested for the following prices:

Redesign of Beta LAYOUT Homepage

October 1999: After countless hours of development and testing, our new homepage was finally launched today. Containing over 250 web pages, you will find all you need to know on PCB-POOL. The highlight is the online calculation and order system.

PCB-Pool Germany starts partnership with Conrad Electronic Germany

September 1999: To accompany its promotion in the current Conrad catalogue, PCB Pool launched its on-line order form on the Conrad website today.

Lower shipping costs

September 1999: A short but sweet message: following some hard baragaining with our courier service, we can now announce a cut in our shipping costs! This price reduction will of course be passed on in full to you our customers. The new pricing will come into effect from mid September: standard parcel service (not express) for parcel up to 2kg's - was DM 13.80 now DM 10.80

10th anniversary celebration pictures

July 1999: Many thanks for all the good wishes and gifts received and for the great party atmosphere! For the record: 350 sausages, 150 steaks and 100 Vegi-burgers were washed down with lots of Guinness! The band was superb and everyone enjoyed themselves. In short, it was a great event!

Words can't really describe the wonderful atmosphere so have a look at our photos from the afternoon and evening and see for yourself!

Last but not least, a particularly big thank you to our hardworking helpers at the bar and at the barbequ, to the band "In Between" for their top class performance, to Brian for entertaining everyone with his Irish folk songs and to the entire team for the birthday cake!

Party time - Beta LAYOUT 10th anniversary

June 1999: On 16. July 1999 the big Beta LAYOUT party is taking place! All customers are very welcome! A great atmosphere, endless GUINNESS, succulent steaks and live band "In BETWEEN" are all on offer!

On that note, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our faithful customers. Without them, we would not be celebrating our 10th anniversary! It is a special pleasure for me that PCB-POOL®, a crazy idea of a shared costs system for electronic developers, has become a synonym for prototyping.

Let's share a toast to this idea!
Arne Hofmann

Special offer for first time customers

April 1999: Special offer! All first time users of the new Discovery shareware receive a 20% discount on their first PCB produced with this software.

This offer was only available up to 31st July 1999

We have reduced our delivery time

March 1999: GOOD NEWS: We have reduced our standard delivery time for doublesided POOL prototypes from approx. 15 WD to ... not 13 ... not 12 ... but approx. 10 WD ! And ... the price remains the same ! :-)) So, get yourself a copy of the new order form (included in your delivery)

We offer Extended-Gerber drivers for Target

February 1999: You remember our news from March 1998? Well, the extended-gerber driver for Target is now ready. Download it from the Target homepage!

We have installed a search engine on our homepage

January 1999: We have installed a search-engine on our webpage ... in German only, for the moment ... Sorry!.

pcb-pool.com moved to Germany

January 1999: Higher speed web pages: We have moved our WebSpace to a server in Frankfurt with 155MBit connection.

Shareware for electronic designers

January 1999: New! Lots of shareware for electronic designers on our server. See DOWNLOAD.

We accept MAX-Files

December 1998: ORCAD™ users have reason to smile! We now accept *.MAX files!

We have extended our homepage

August 1998: 3 new web pages have been launched: NEWS (This page), FAQ - Questions and Answers about PCB-POOL® - and illustrated instructions to help with loading Gerber- and Drill data to GC-Prevue. (section DOWNLOAD)

We are testing Gerber/Drill interface

July 1998: Testing of the Gerber/Drill interface from ORCAD™ software is now under way in order to be able to accept *.MAX files in PCB-POOL® in the future. The company HOSCHAR was kind enough to make a copy of the software package LAYOUT PLUS available to us.

We process PROTEL(tm) PCB-Files directly

April 1998: Another new Data format for PCB-POOL®: PROTEL™. Customers can now send their *.PCB file to us. Many thanks to Dr. Heinrich Kunz from PROTEL EUROPE AG who made this possible and who made the software available to us.

Beta LAYOUT Ltd. Ireland is moving

April 1998: Things are moving on in Ireland! Beta LAYOUT Ltd. Ireland has moved to a new business premises in the Shannon Free Zone.

We process Target Files directly

March 1998: In response to the many enquiries received from Target software users, we now recognise Target as an accepted software in PCB-POOL®. Herr Friedrich from the Target office is currently working on an extended Gerber driver for us and will also be working to perfect (and simplify) copper plane output.

Founding of Beta Board GmbH

March 1998: Founding of Beta BOARD GmbH. The purposes of this new venture are two fold: 1. to have our own supplier for time sensitive PCB-POOL® orders and 2. to research the area of multipanel manufacture with the aim of improving and optimising our supplier network.

You can order online

July 1997: You can now order your PCBs ONLINE!

Founding of Beta LAYOUT Ltd. Ireland

March 1997: Founding of Beta LAYOUT Ltd. in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. Our Irish office will supply CAM support to Beta Germany as well promote PCB-POOL® in Ireland and the UK.

We have moved to our new location

July 1996: Our German office has moved to a spacious premises in the village of Aarbergen in the beautiful Taunus region, western Germany.

Beta LAYOUT GmbH

January 1996: Beta LAYOUT becomes a limited liability company (GmbH). The aim of the company is the layout and sale of PCBs and the provision of services geared towards the electronic / PCB-Industry.

PCB-POOL® became a registered trademark

September 1995: Registration of PCB-POOL® with the 'Deutschen Patentamt München' ( the German patent office in Munich), trademark number 395 11 162.

Internet presentation was launched

August 1995: We now have our own website under www.pcb-pool.com!

The 1000th PCB-POOL® participant!

July 1995: The 1000th PCB-POOL® participant!

Founding of PCB-POOL®

June 1994: Founding of PCB-POOL®.

Founding of Beta LAYOUT GbR

January 1989: Founding of Beta LAYOUT as a GbR. The aim of the company is to produce Layout PCBs.