How-To:: Make your own PCB, SMD Soldering

[ALIBE]

Over the last 3 late nights were spent on reading and studying a lot of material on the subject of how to make PCBs, tools of the trade, software. Also, trying to understand various soldering tools. Learned a lot

Over that period, I have gathered a few urls that I thought I'd share here if in case there's someone who might be interested in knowing more abt this area. Please add your recommended links and other reading material as you see fit.

First, This tutorial is very well written, gave a good understanding of the tools, their functions, and also SMD soldering and reworking techniques ("Reworking" I never knew what that was before).
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/present.php?p=SMD-HowTo-1


How-To PCB urls

Great:
http://max8888.orcon.net.nz/pcbs.htm
http://www.techniks.com/how_to.htm
http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg/gooteepc.htm#1
http://tacashi.tripod.com/elctrncs/pcbworks/pcbworks.htm


Good:
http://www.qsl.net/k5lxp/projects/PCBFab/PCBFab.html

OK:
http://www.semis.demon.co.uk/PCB/PCB.html

Photoresist etching:
http://www.ele.tut.fi/~telok/MakePCBs/


PCB DIY system purchase links
(expensive) http://www.elexp.com/pro_cbds.htm

Not sure if this should be posted here or in the Sandbox box. Feel free to move.



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"any small object, accidentally dropped, goes and hides behind a larger object."


ALIBE - Artificial LIfe BEing. In search of building autonoumous land robot
http://ALIBE.crosscity.com/ (http://ALIBE.crosscity.com/)
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[Javalin]

my question is - where do people get their pcb-express (or is it express-pcb) templates from?

[Martin Hebel]

Javalin,
What do you mean by 'templates'?
-Martin

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Martin Hebel
StampPlot - Graphical Data Acquisition and Control (http://www.stampplot.com/)
AppBee -·2.4GHz Wireless Adapters & transceivers·for the BASIC Stamp & Other controllers (http://www.selmaware.com/appbee)·

[Javalin]

Hi Martin,

Long time no speak.

I mean for the Propeller QFP for example, a correct size and pin-outs for the chip so a PCB can be made. I know you can design your own, but its a shame to re-invent the wheel if you dont have to

James

[Martin Hebel]

expressPCB has a number of TQFP footprints in their component collection, though I haven't done one for the 40 pin yet, I just designed a board for a 32 pin TQFP which hopefully is sized right :)

Yeah, sorry about the long time, it's been frantic here, and haven't written a lick yet, lol
-Martin

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Martin Hebel
StampPlot - Graphical Data Acquisition and Control (http://www.stampplot.com/)
AppBee -·2.4GHz Wireless Adapters & transceivers·for the BASIC Stamp & Other controllers (http://www.selmaware.com/appbee)·

[Javalin]

Hi Martin,

Yeah - still willing, sorta waiting for you to take the lead

I'll check out the existing library better!

J

[Paul Baker]

James,

Here's my eagle library for the Propeller QFP, word of warning: I haven't actually had a board produced using the library, but I have double checked it against internal docs we have used to produce other Propeller boards.

I know this isn't ExpressPCB, but I know you use Eagle too.

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Paul Baker (mailto:pbaker@parallax.com)
Propeller Applications Engineer
[/url][url=http://www.parallax.com] (http://www.parallax.com)
Parallax, Inc. (http://www.parallax.com)

[Javalin]

Hi Paul,

You're thinking of the other James - "James L".

But thanks,

James (Javalin)

[Paul Baker]

Oh, sorry about that.

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Paul Baker (mailto:pbaker@parallax.com)
Propeller Applications Engineer
[/url][url=http://www.parallax.com] (http://www.parallax.com)
Parallax, Inc. (http://www.parallax.com)

[parts-man73]

Paul,

Love the propeller logo in the silkscreen layer! The Eagle libraries I make myself are usually very rudimentary. As long as the pads/holes are in the right spots, I'm happy. Perhaps my next version of my soon to be anounced project will be surface mount.

Thanks for that library,
Brian

[paulmac]

Hi,
For those without access to Eagle and the like there is gEDA (http://www.geda.seul.org/) and friends.

What is gEDA?
"The gEDA project is working on producing a full GPL'd suite of Electronic Design Automation tools. These tools are used for electrical circuit design, schematic capture, simulation, prototyping, and production. Currently, the gEDA project offers a mature suite of free software applications for electronics design, including schematic capture, attribute management, bill of materials (BOM) generation, netlisting into over 20 netlist formats, analog and digital simulation, and printed circuit board layout."

I've been playing with it for a few days now. Looks good so far.

Paul.

[Paul Baker]

No, problem Brian, glad you like it. I hope to expand the library at some point, but it's pretty low on the list of priorities.

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Paul Baker (mailto:pbaker@parallax.com)
Propeller Applications Engineer
[/url][url=http://www.parallax.com] (http://www.parallax.com)
Parallax, Inc. (http://www.parallax.com)