2D xmas tree pcb art (components INSIDE the pcb)

5 Jan 2019

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Hello,

my xmas gift this year, a 10x10cm pcb xmas tree

all the components are inside the pcb, the overall height is only 1.6mm

Castellation is used to make the connections:

The pcb itself is using pcb art technique to give the shape of a tree covered in snow and some snowflakes and ball ornaments.

To help making the programm for the ATtiny a helper website is made to make the led addressing easier:

https://designer2k2.github.io/2d-xmas-tree/

All files including the KiCad project is hosted on GitHub: https://github.com/designer2k2/2d-xmas-tree

And to help with assembly a video: (in german, with english captions, turn them on)

Top Comments

genebren over 3 years ago in reply to ntewinkel +5

Nico,

The price points on microscopes (stereo included) are all over the map. There are toy-like models (very cheap optics) available for under $100. There are inexpensive models available for $200 - $300…
designer2k2 over 3 years ago in reply to dubbie +5

Yes they are not cheap, this is the exact scope i have: https://www.ebay.de/itm/SB-1902-U-Euromex-StereoBlue-Bino-Zoom-Stereo-Blue-Schwenkarm-Mikroskop/231551764715 with the 0,5mm Barlow addon lens to…
designer2k2 over 3 years ago in reply to dubbie +4

thanks!
Yes, i consider myself a hobbyist, and have done all that at home
I use a stereo zoom (trinocular) microscope with a boom stand holding it over the workbench. The video above was mostly shot trough…

designer2k2 over 3 years ago

thanks
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danielw over 3 years ago

Nice work on the soldering. I love a bit of PCB Art!
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designer2k2 over 3 years ago in reply to luislabmo

thanks!
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luislabmo over 3 years ago

Nice looking project!. Well done!

Luis
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designer2k2 over 3 years ago in reply to dubbie

Yes they are not cheap, this is the exact scope i have: https://www.ebay.de/itm/SB-1902-U-Euromex-StereoBlue-Bino-Zoom-Stereo-Blue-Schwenkarm-Mikroskop/231551764715 with the 0,5mm Barlow addon lens to get 160mm working distance.
Its a bit modded with some 3d printed parts, for example a adapter to hold ikea lights: https://www.designer2k2.at/en/mods/elektronik/130-3d-printed-microscope-light-adapter-for-ikea-jansjoe
(cheap and the most flexible light you can get)

But its well worth it, and with some patience there are sometimes used scopes around (but most people never sell them again...)

Basically you are looking for a stereo zoom microskope with around 0,7 - 4,5 magnification and 10x/20mm oculars and 100mm working distance. That results in a magnification from 7-45. Then you attach a x0.5 lens and your working distance increases to around 150-160mm and your magnification drops to ~3-25 (thats not so exactly 0.5).
In the video above you can see what this results in terms of field of view. It goes nice wide but can also zoom in to a single solder point. Where the 160mm distance gives a lot of room to solder.
And if needed, unscrew the 0,5 and you have a very high magnification, usable for inspection of very fine details.

There are some extensive discussion out there on what scope and so on, nearly every big brand has one with about exactly the specs from above.

The only thing i cannot recommend are this USB-Webcam-Display things, i had one, there is no improvement against a magnification lens on a 3rd arm, it just looks fancy. If, then you want to go for the stereo thing
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