Wirewrap -- Instructions, Tutorial?

M. Kibat

I'm ready to move my project from solderless breadboard to a more permenant enclosure. Got my perfboard. Got my wire wrap tool. Got my wire wrap wire. Got my wire wrap sockets. But..

..I don't have a clue as to actual wire wrapping technique!

Can anyone refer me to an online tutorial or other resources that can lead a newbie through the basic techniques and best practices?

Thanks!

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M. Kibat
Bloomington, MN
kibatme@visi.com

Nate

Try this:

http://eeshop.unl.edu/wrap.txt

Hope you got a 'squeeze' type or electric wire wrapper tool - the ones that look like little screwdrivers are a joke except for unwrapping (or # connections in the single digits)

Nate

Chris Savage

Hello,

·· Don't take this wrong but I always considered breadboarding an wire-wrapping both to be temporary solutions.· While wire-wrapping is more secure than a breadboard a better permanent solution is to solder everything.· Use sockets if possible for ICs.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support
csavage@parallax.com

M. Kibat

Nate said...
Try this:

http://eeshop.unl.edu/wrap.txt

Hope you got a 'squeeze' type or electric wire wrapper tool - the ones that look like little screwdrivers are a joke except for unwrapping (or # connections in the single digits)

Nate

Great URL -- just what I needed. Thanks!

Unfortunately, I got the 'screwdriver' type. I don't expect to be wrapping hundreds of connections, but if I do find it a pain, can you recommend an alternative mftr/model?

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M. Kibat
Bloomington, MN
kibatme@visi.com

M. Kibat

Chris Savage (Parallax) said...
Hello,

Don't take this wrong but I always considered breadboarding an wire-wrapping both to be temporary solutions. While wire-wrapping is more secure than a breadboard a better permanent solution is to solder everything. Use sockets if possible for ICs.

"Don't take this wrong..." -- hardly! I'm looking for all the advice I can get, both pro and con.

Actually, the wire wrap version is more a 'beta' than a final product. I want to place the circuit in its real-world environment (inside a telescope mount in an observatory) and see how it performs under typical conditions. I've already created a PC board layout using ExpressPCB, and I may spring for a board if this beastie works as intended.

Thanks for the advice!

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M. Kibat
Bloomington, MN
kibatme@visi.com

bobledoux

For the hobby builder wire wrap is an excellent building technique. It is easy to modify but the resulting connections are dependable and long lasting. I even use it on robots and I've never had a failure. But with a moving robot I keep expecting a wire to break at a junction due to vibration. So far it hasn't happened.

Wire wrap is far superior to the "wire plugin" prototype boards, and easier to use than the .100 inch solder type proto boards.

I sold my electric tools at a hamfest. Now, I use the simple OK Industries hand tool for my work.

My technique is to use wire wrap sockets on an isolated solder pad proto board. I solder each corner pin on a dip socket. I prefer to solder bypass caps directly to the pins on the bottom of the board. For descrete components, like resistors, you can solder to the isolated pads and solder between pads for connections or you can wire wrap around the component leads and solder the wire wraps on component circular leads.

There are limits on maximum frequency. I try to stay below 10mhz when using wire wrap.

Nuts and Volts, December 2001, had a good article on wire wrapping.

Post Edited (bobledoux) : 2/17/2006 2:43:37 PM GMT

Nate

I use a Squeeze type "Vessel" tool distributed by JDV and actually sold by Electronix Express.· Kind of expensive, but there seems to be low competition in this tool area so its hard to find ones that are more·resonable ($$).· A good stripper is important too - don't want to nick the metal wire and make a weak point.

I will also agree that solder and PCB is the most robust, but I usually make all my 1-off prototypes with wire wrap - very easy to change a couple of connections.· Also, I can make it NOW, don't have to wait on PCB production.· The end product is·very robust - I would not sell a wirewrapped product, but I have many wirewrap circuits running well in my own shop and house.

Nate

bobledoux

In the early 1980's, Apple computer created 5 or 6 prototype boards for the new MAC computer. Here is a picture of one of these. All six were wire wrapped. At that time this was state-of-the-art prototyping using through hole components. With the move to surface mount devices protyping has become more complicated.

http://www.digibarn.com/collections/parts/mac-wirewrap5-board/

LoopyByteloose

Good wire wrap is actually designed to be a 'gas tight' connection. I think they stripped insulation from only a side of the wire. Some claims were made that it was better than soldering.

Of course, the automated gun offers you much more repetable quality. HAM radio swap meets are good place to locate a used one or two.

Nevertheless, it really doesn't matter if you use wire wrap or solder -- you should systematically check your connections for continuity, wrongly connected to ground, wrongly connected to +V, and shorted ground to +V.

Usually you just start with the power circuits [noparse][[/noparse]without the ICs in their sockets]. In that way, you don't unexpectedly burn up anything [noparse][[/noparse]if you put your ICs in correctly].

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"When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan