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DIY PCB thread - Page 2

post #16 of 24
7/23/09 at 1:13pm
Thread Starter 
I am designing some new boards here but I am unsure if it is more cost effective to use a board house or just etch them myself. These designs are very small and the tracings are very thin.
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post #17 of 24
7/23/09 at 4:35pm
I use ExpressPCB. My last order was 100 boards:

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post #18 of 24
7/23/09 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
Wow, those look quite nice.
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post #19 of 24
7/23/09 at 7:52pm
My first revision of my DAC. These were all bad as U2 was the wrong footprint.



amb made a good note about wrong footprints. Before you send you board out to production, print it out and ensure that your parts fit and have clearance.
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post #20 of 24
7/23/09 at 8:38pm
Thread Starter 
Can't you make some type of adapter board to add that fixes the U2 footprint, instead of wasting a lot of boards?
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post #21 of 24
7/23/09 at 9:03pm
I had a thread about that a while back. The issue is that the U2 is supposed to be a PCM2707, which dwarfs the U2 footprint. When I did my corrected boards, I learned there were other issues, so I'm just chalking it up to a learning experience.

I think they do look good though.
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post #22 of 24
3/1/10 at 9:44am
bumping this thread..
may look to make a simple pcb, say a cmoy circuit just for the fun of it. I made PCB's back in college using a UV light exposure box, but if I use fred's method that will mean UV exposure is unneccesary night? I just do the toner thing then use this:
PCB Etch Powder : Etching Equipment : Maplin

to etch, then drill?
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post #23 of 24
3/1/10 at 9:59am
That etching powder should work fine, just remember the persulphates need heat to work or the chemical reaction will stop. I just make it up with very hot water and give it a shake every now and then,

cheers
FRED
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post #24 of 24
3/2/10 at 6:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBSCIX View Post
I figured this thread will allow people to post pictures of their work and ask questions of the more experience designers.
... what software and procedure do you use?
I set design parameters, and then design the device. I generally start out with a 'cookbook' design and modify it as needed. Sometimes I do a paper and pencil and other times I'll simulate with SPICE. I don't breadboard first but rather start with Rev 001 PCB. I do schematic capture and layout with Cadsoft Eagle on MacOS and Windows.

I use Advanced Circuits and Olimex for low volume boards. I've done one or two with SunStone's value proto service but now favor Olimex for ones or twos. I've also ordered a couple qty. 100 runs from SunStone.

Pictures:

Pulse Stretcher. Used to connect fMRI to a PC.


Ultrasonic pre-amp. Op-amp and connectors are on the other side of board. Don't have a photo.


Ultrasonic amplifier and power supply. The op-amp I used is dwarfed by the TLE.


Pellet dispenser interface. Sunstone.




Audio Device. (not hi-fi) Olimex.
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