Hi,
I’ve just received my first batchPCB order and I’m very happy with the quality of the PCB. I’ve started implanting components and it’s quite tedious… I have a few SMD components with a very small pitch (like NXP ARM7 chips).
Does BatchPCB offer assembly services too? Any assembler recommended for hobbyist projects?
Thanks!
If you have a few boards, you could try http://www.lil-brother.com/
The guy who runs it is a SFE regular.
Alternatively you should have a look at the SFE SMD tutorials, especially the ones that use he skillet or toaster ovens.
I use Screaming Circuits at work. However, you can probably have it done cheaper by our red overseas friends (I think Gold Phoenix offers assembly?). I personally prefer to keep my money on this side of the big pond though - so I pay the premium to have my boards stuffed here.jeanseb:
Hi,I’ve just received my first batchPCB order and I’m very happy with the quality of the PCB. I’ve started implanting components and it’s quite tedious… I have a few SMD components with a very small pitch (like NXP ARM7 chips).
Does BatchPCB offer assembly services too? Any assembler recommended for hobbyist projects?
Thanks!
GoldPhoenix do assemble, in fact they make and assemble all of my (1000’s of) boards.
They do however have a $250 minimum for assembly. So probably not any good for the OP.
If the OP is not in a rush, I suggest they check out a skillet or toaster oven method.
There’s a radio amateur in the US who builds stuff for other hams. He used to assemble PCBs at work and is reputed to do a very good job. I’ll see if I can find his details.
Leon
gussy:
If you have a few boards, you could try http://www.lil-brother.com/The guy who runs it is a SFE regular.
Alternatively you should have a look at the SFE SMD tutorials, especially the ones that use he skillet or toaster ovens.
Hi,
thanks for the heads-up. Does the skillet technique work with double sided components? What happens with the solder that it on the skillet side?
leon_heller:
There’s a radio amateur in the US who builds stuff for other hams. He used to assemble PCBs at work and is reputed to do a very good job. I’ll see if I can find his details.Leon
That would be great Leon
I think the toaster oven works better with double sided boards.jeanseb:
Hi,thanks for the heads-up. Does the skillet technique work with double sided components? What happens with the solder that it on the skillet side?
gussy:
I think the toaster oven works better with double sided boards.jeanseb:
Hi,thanks for the heads-up. Does the skillet technique work with double sided components? What happens with the solder that it on the skillet side?
Well… The reason why I’m asking where I could get my boards populated is because I just can’t get my first PCB to work! I kind of described the process in another thread, sorry for the repeat…
I soldered an LPC2129 following the SP tutorial, using wick(!?). All the solders seem ok (checked with a microscope at work). I’m able to get the processor ID using the NXP utility. However I can’t get it to erase the processor. Anyhow, I can also program the processor using the JTAG interface, though the verification fails (blocks seem to be blank).
All this to say that I blame it on bad soldering… It could also be (and it most likely is) bad design.
Anybody interested in reviewing my schematics/gerbers!?
Here’s where the schematic and board files are:
http://www.embeddedhitech.com/projects/can_display/
Thanks in advance!
What CAD tool did you use for design? If its EAGLEjeanseb:
Anybody interested in reviewing my schematics/gerbers!?Here’s where the schematic and board files are
I’d be happy to take a look. (Navigating someone else’s
Gerbers is asking too much).
bigglez:
What CAD tool did you use for design? If its EAGLEjeanseb:
Anybody interested in reviewing my schematics/gerbers!?Here’s where the schematic and board files are
I’d be happy to take a look. (Navigating someone else’s
Gerbers is asking too much).
Yes I used Eagle. It’s funny, the last time I posted Eagle file, everybody asked for Gerber files!
Files are available at the same link
jeanseb:
Yes I used Eagle. It’s funny, the last time I posted Eagle file, everybody asked for Gerber files!
Depends on what you are attempting - Gerbers would be useful for PCB fab issues
(Panelizing, Routing, etc.) Schematics and Boards for electrical
design and layout issues.
I have your board and schematic open in EAGLE. No show
stoppers so far (I ran ERC and DRC to get a feel for your
design, which looks very good). I’m trying to decypher the
ground scheme, so far it looks solid.
I’m delighted to see a MAX7219 in the design (we discussed
it in several earlier threads on this forum), but your value for
Iset (R1) seems way off. I’ve been using 22 kilo ohms (10k
was too low. LEDs too bright) for a 64 LED array. How did
you arrive at “909” (Ohms, I presume)?
I’m not familiar with your choice of LDO regulators (have
to download a datasheet). There are floating pins, are all
DC voltage present and in tolerance?
Edit: My error, you have a MAX6971, not 7219…
(Another datasheet I’ll need to download soon).
bigglez:
jeanseb:
Yes I used Eagle. It’s funny, the last time I posted Eagle file, everybody asked for Gerber files!Depends on what you are attempting - Gerbers would be useful for PCB fab issues
(Panelizing, Routing, etc.) Schematics and Boards for electrical
design and layout issues.
I have your board and schematic open in EAGLE. No show
stoppers so far (I ran ERC and DRC to get a feel for your
design, which looks very good). I’m trying to decypher the
ground scheme, so far it looks solid.
I’m delighted to see a MAX7219 in the design (we discussed
it in several earlier threads on this forum), but your value for
Iset (R1) seems way off. I’ve been using 22 kilo ohms (10k
was too low. LEDs too bright) for a 64 LED array. How did
you arrive at “909” (Ohms, I presume)?
I’m not familiar with your choice of LDO regulators (have
to download a datasheet). There are floating pins, are all
DC voltage present and in tolerance?
Edit: My error, you have a MAX6971, not 7219…
(Another datasheet I’ll need to download soon).
Hi,
Thanks for the quick review. I believe 909 ohms is the proper value for a Max6971, to provide 20mA worth of current per LED. I am quite confident with this as I had this prototyped with a Zilog uC. LEDs are very bright, but the intensity can be adjusted by PWM.
As for the LDO, to my knowledge the only floating pins are the rads… I quickly checked after populating the board and I believe the voltages are ok… Will check again today as soon as I’m in the lab.
Thanks again for the review.
bigglez:
jeanseb:
Yes I used Eagle. It’s funny, the last time I posted Eagle file, everybody asked for Gerber files!Depends on what you are attempting - Gerbers would be useful for PCB fab issues
(Panelizing, Routing, etc.) Schematics and Boards for electrical
design and layout issues.
I have your board and schematic open in EAGLE. No show
stoppers so far (I ran ERC and DRC to get a feel for your
design, which looks very good). I’m trying to decypher the
ground scheme, so far it looks solid.
I’m delighted to see a MAX7219 in the design (we discussed
it in several earlier threads on this forum), but your value for
Iset (R1) seems way off. I’ve been using 22 kilo ohms (10k
was too low. LEDs too bright) for a 64 LED array. How did
you arrive at “909” (Ohms, I presume)?
I’m not familiar with your choice of LDO regulators (have
to download a datasheet). There are floating pins, are all
DC voltage present and in tolerance?
Edit: My error, you have a MAX6971, not 7219…
(Another datasheet I’ll need to download soon).
Well thanks for the heads-up!
I checked the power levels out of these regulators and they were off. I initially tested them with a laboratory power supply and they were ok. I then used an 8V DC power adapter to try programming the board etc… I looks like this adapter was not working properly and I got bad voltages.
I’ve replaced the power adapter and everything works perfectly now.
Thanks again!
jeanseb:
thanks for the heads-up. Does the skillet technique work with double sided components? What happens with the solder that it on the skillet side?
I just posted a link to this thread in another section, it might be interesting for you too: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=911539