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| − | There are a wide variety of techniques used in electronics.
| + | == Circuit board techniques == |
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| − | == Circuit Design ==
| + | [http://www.veys.com/index.php/Making_Home-Made_Printed_Circuit_Boards Toner transfer], Press-and-Peel(tm), photoresist, Sharpie, nail polish. |
| − | * [[Basic Circuit Building Blocks]]
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| − | == Prototyping ==
| + | [http://www.k9spud.com/wiki/PCB:Etchants Ferric Chloride vs. Ammonium Persulfate] and other etching chemicals. |
| − | Prototyping circuitboards:
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| − | * [[Solderless protoboard]]
| + | How to dispose of etchant. |
| − | * [[Point-to-point]] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point-to-point_construction Wikipedia:Point-to-point construction])
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| − | * [[Wirewrap]] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_wrap Wikipedia:Wire Wrap])
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| − | * [[Dead bug style]]
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| − | * [[Manhattan style]]
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| − | * Board-less construction, not sure there is a name for it, can be very cool see: http://runawaybrainz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/audio-crystal-cmoy-freeform-headphone.html this one is potted in clear plastic.
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| − | * [http://www.qrp.pops.net/ugly.asp "Ugly Construction"] (like deadbug... )
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| − | [http://www.techlib.com/electronics/construction.html "Construction Ideas"] has nice photographs of the above circuit construction techniques.
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| − | [[http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/protostyles/proto_styles.htm "Effects Building Techniques"] by R.G. Keen 1999 reviews, compares, and contrasts these techniques for circuit construction -- also a few more.
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| − | * [[Stripboard]] (Veroboard): ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stripboard Wikipedia:stripboard].)
| + | Commercial PCB fabrication. |
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| − | Most of these techniques are designed to use through-hole devices with pins on 0.1" centers -- and vice versa: most through-hole devices are designed to fit into stripboard or other prototyping board with holes on 0.1" centers.
| + | * [http://www.batchpcb.com/ BatchPCB, by SparkFun] -- Our hosts! $2.50 / square inch, must use your own software to generate Gerber files. Easy-to-use web ordering interface, but slow turnaround time -- 10-20 days. Boards come out very nice -- precut, double-sided with silk screen and solder mask on both sides |
| | + | * [http://www.olimex.com/pcb/ Olimex] Bulgarian PCB manufacturer - $33 for a 6.3" by 3.9" board. I.E. cheaper than BatchPCB, but with a minimum board size requirement, silkscreen on one side only, and a more complicated ordering process. |
| | + | * [http://www.pcb123.com/ PCB123] Offers their own free (proprietary) schematic and PCB layout software -- easy to use, but you are locked into using their service. Integration with ordering system simplifies the process of ordering boards. Cost (?) |
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| − | So how do people prototype something with a surface mount device (SMD)?
| + | == Construction techniques == |
| − | * Some people continue to use prototyping boards with 0.1" holes, with a bit of creativity, for some SMT devices ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/nshdot/6034580576/in/photostream/])([http://www.flickr.com/photos/nshdot/6034026371/in/photostream])([http://www.flickr.com/photos/nshdot/6034580678/])([http://www.flickr.com/photos/nshdot/6034045085/in/photostream])
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| − | * Some people solder many SMT devices to tiny "generic" "surface-mount prototyping boards", then those tiny boards wired together into a complete system (perhaps also including through-hole parts on a stripboard or solderless breadboard). ([http://www.whitewing.co.uk/protoboard.html "Universal through-hole and SMD prototyping board"]), ([http://www.schmartboard.com/ Schmartboard] [http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/schmartboardsv/ Schmartboard forum]), ([http://www.capitaladvanced.com/products.htm "Surfboards"]). Alas, none of these are completely generic for most kinds of SMT parts the way that stripboard is completely generic for almost all kinds of through-hole parts.
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| − | * Some people buy a [[demo board]] with the SMT part already soldered to it; then these small boards can be wired into a complete system (perhaps also including through-hole parts on a stripboard or solderless breadboard).
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| − | * Sometimes people are forced to build a big custom PCB with precise footprints adapted to that SMD device. (This seems to be what manufacturers that make SMDs expect you to do).
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| − | == PCB Design/Fabrication ==
| + | Dead bug style. Manhattan style. Veroboard. Perfboard and point-to-point. Solderless protoboard. |
| − | [[Printed Circuit Boards]]
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| − | == Soldering Techniques ==
| + | "solderless breadboard" is the fastest construction technique ... but it is very fragile. Also, the parasitic capacitance and sometimes intermittent connections can drive you crazy. |
| − | * [[Basic soldering]] -- How to use a soldering iron.
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| − | * Surface Mount
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| − | ** [[Skillet reflow]]
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| − | ** [[Toaster oven reflow]]
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| − | ** [[Hot air soldering]]
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| − | ** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:WillWare/Homebrew_surface-mount_construction A few different SMT assembly methods] that you can do at home on a cheap budget
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| − | * [[Rework]] -- Techniques for fixing mistakes, or for adding new features to a board that ''almost'' does what you want.
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| − | ** [http://workmanship.nasa.gov/lib/insp/2%20books/links/sections/302_jumper%20wires.html official NASA recommendations for adding discrete wiring ("jumper wires") to PCBs]
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| − | (Have you seen this [http://hackaday.com/2007/06/04/cnc-solder-pastepick-n-place/ CNC solder paste/pick n place] ?) | + | traditional perfboards with holes on a 0.1" grid (2.54 mm grid) come in many styles: |
| − | ''Hackaday has lots of other similar articles: [http://hackaday.com/?s=solder+paste search hackaday for "solder paste"]''
| + | * just holes in insulator |
| | + | * little donuts of copper around each hole; may or may not be plated-through (See [http://barello.net/Robots/minisumo/index.htm this robot controller] for an example) |
| | + | * Specific patterns of copper like [http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/stripbd.htm stripboard] / Veroboard™, or the common rails-and-short-strips pattern that's handy for DIP components |
| | + | * solid sheets of copper, usually with a little donut gap around each hole. |
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| − | (Optional: ) After all the parts are completely soldered down, some people like to spray the board with some kind of conformal coating, or completely seal in the board with some kind of potting compound.
| + | The best one to use depends on what kind of circuit you're putting together. |
| − | See [http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/5095/whats-the-best-way-to-protect-a-board-from-corrosion-in-a-hot-moist-environment "Electronics and Robotics: What's the best way to protect a board from corrosion in a hot/moist environment?"].
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| − | == [[Hardware tool | Hardware Tools]] ==
| + | With these perfboards, there's 2 ways to connect wires so they don't fall off: |
| − | A directory of [[hardware tool]]s that you may find useful.
| + | * wire wrap, or |
| | + | * solder. |
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| − | == [[Software tool | Software Tools]] == | + | == Front Panels == |
| − | A directory of [[software tool]]s that you may find useful.
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| − | == [[PC-Microcontroller Communications]] ==
| + | Its easy to make groovy front panels so your black boxes look the goods. |
| − | Discussion of the various methods to connect a microcontroller or embedded system to a PC...
| + | * Use any graphics program to produce and print your art work. |
| | + | ** Measure the box up, draw in the switches, label the LEDs etc. |
| | + | ** Even print on user instructions. |
| | + | * If the front panel contains LEDs I pre punch the printout so that when it gets laminated it creates a window. No need for bezels :) |
| | + | * Laminate the printout. |
| | + | * Punch out the switch, screw, bnc, pot etc holes. |
| | + | * If there isnt many front panel "things" to hold the laminate to the box lid I use double sided sticky tape. |
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| − | == Embedded System Programming and Testing ==
| + | The beauty of this approach is that it also doubles as a drill template for the lid. Everything fits, everything looks square. |
| − | To add to the confusion programming in embedded system can mean a person writing a program or a device called a programmer "burning" a program into a chip. This section is for the "burning" meaning of programming.
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| − | * Many systems use [[JTAG]] for programming and testing. (Such as [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Atmel_AVR Atmel AVR embedded systems]]).
| + | == Soldering techniques == |
| − | * Other systems use some other kind of in-circuit programming.
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| − | * Some people use [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/Bootloaders_and_Bootsectors bootloaders] to make re-programming a little quicker.
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| − | -- not sure that this next one is not misplaced ? --
| + | How to use a soldering iron. What is flux for? |
| − | ''We're talking about "programming and testing" ? What else do you use to test op-amp circuits?''
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| − | * Many people use an [[oscilloscope]] ([[o'scope]]). See [[oscilloscope]] for a list of Keith has made a list of low-cost o'scopesl [http://www.techtravels.org/amiga/amigablog/?p=167 "PC USB logic analyzers that cost under $1000."] for a list of low-cost logic analyzers.
| + | Hot air soldering. Huh? |
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| − | Humans writing a program almost always do it in a language. Here is a section that discusses some of these languages: [[Programming Languages]]
| + | Hobby replacements for commercial reflow: skillet soldering, toaster-oven soldering, soldering using an oil lamp or candle. |
| | + | * [http://sparkfun.com/tutorial/ReflowToaster/reflow-hotplate.htm the "Reflow Skillet" tutorial] |
| | + | * [http://www.circuitcellar.com/library/print/0704/Lacoste_168/index.htm "Easy Reflow: Build an SMT Reflow Oven Controller"] by Robert Lacoste 2004-July |
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| − | == Driving Motors ==
| + | How to fix mistakes: solder braid, solder sucker. |
| − | See [[Stepper Motor Tester]] and [[motor driver]].
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| − | == Enclosure ==
| + | How to deal with fine pitch SMT devices. |
| − | * The Earth Signal should short to whole metal Case
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| − | * Digital/Analog GND should separate to this Earth Signal, and should connect a Y-cap. to filter the noise between them.
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| − | * Attention: do not place near between Earth Signal and Digital/Analog GND, otherwise some spark come out, and affect your whole system.
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| − | * ''See [[enclosures]]''.
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| − | == Misc Tips Tricks ==
| + | How to deal with big, heatsucking components. |
| − | [[Misc Tips Tricks]]
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| − | == Further Reading ==
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| − | * [http://airborn.com.au/method/ "Electronics Design" from Airborn] gives an overview of the complete process: specification, (schematic) circuit design, layout, prototypes, firmware, pilot run, production.
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| − | * EDA electronic design automation software is a subset of CAD in general. Is there a wiki that discusses CAD in general? Until I find it, I'm going to post these tools here: "Google SketchUp is a powerful yet easy-to-learn 3D software tool" http://sketchup.google.com/ ; "Inkscape is the best tool for SVG standard vector graphics" http://wiki.inkscape.org/ ; Visual Wiki http://visualwiki.org/
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| − | * [http://www.national.com/rap/Story/0,1562,18,00.html "What's All This Ground Noise Stuff, Anyhow?"] by Robert A. Pease
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| − | * [http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/ArticleID/6150/6150.html "What's All This Teflon Stuff, Anyhow?"] by Robert A. Pease -- explains a situation using lots of metal (instead of carefully insulating everything with lots of Teflon) causes less noise. Also mentions "why am I telling you all of these details? If I design a tester with greatly improved performance to help me test a really high-performance product, why should I tell all our competitors so that anybody in the world can test their products using the improved tester? Why should I give away all of these hard-earned secrets?" and gives some very good reasons.
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| − | * [http://groups.google.to/group/sci.electronics.design/browse_thread/thread/889153f0e77b1718/fcaac532bb6d4b12?fwc=1 sci.electronics.design: EDN: Measuring Nanoamperes] discusses some ways to measure extremely small currents.
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| − | * [http://www.millpcbs.com/ MillPCBs.com for techniques on using a small cnc machine to mill PCB's]
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| − | * [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs]
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| − | * [http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs.html electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs]
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| − | * [http://www.fullnet.com/~tomg/gooteepc.htm fullnet.com/~tomg/gooteepc]
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| − | * Dave McGuire says "The notion that through-hole soldering is easier than soldering surface-mount devices is, and always has been, [http://archives.seul.org/geda/user/Aug-2004/msg00175.html a myth.]" (Now, about keeping all the look-alike passive parts straight... :) )
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| − | * [http://www.instructables.com/id/Intro-into-SMD-Soldering/ Intro into SMD Soldering]
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| − | * [http://PMinMO.com/ PMinMO.com is THE PLACE for DIY CNC driver information]
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| − | * [http://uptownmaker.blogspot.com/2009/07/18-essential-skills-for-maker.html 18 Essential Skills for a Maker]
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| − | == Environmental Issues == | + | == Other techniques == |
| − | See [[better for the environment]].
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| − | [[Category:Techniques]] | + | How to get started with a multimeter |
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| | + | How to use an oscilloscope: [http://www.tektronix.com/Measurement/App_Notes/XYZs/ Tektronix's guide] |
