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Share A Design Tip to be included in our next Engineers eBook

jwatson

Let your fellow makers in on your design secrets here!

 

Have you found a solution to a common design problem?  Have you found an easier / cheaper way to do something?

 

Share your ideas with us for your chance to have your tip appear in Premier Farnell's edition of ebooks.

 

It’s your opportunity to share with your peers and promote your ideas or business at the same time.

Of course, please steer away from the obvious or too simple, such as ‘if you are writing software, take backups, OR drill holes this way instead of that way’.

 

We would like to create an ebook to provide both inspiration and assistance that help readers create interesting and fun projects, whether they are trying to kickstart a business or simply developing something for their own home.

 

Here’s some topics to get you thinking:

  • Using Maker boards – how do you get boards to do what you need, or configure boards to give you the inputs or outputs to do something cool?
  • Using Sensors – ideas for collecting information about what’s happening in the world, whether it’s temperature data or interfacing a camera...
  • Robotics and Controls – how do you control motors and movement? Ideas for making robots or simply just controlling a motor to close your curtains..
  • Displays – some boards have built-in displays, while don’t others? What are your best tips for displaying information in your projects?
  • IoT and Connectivity – soon almost everything will be connected, so tell us how you make it easier to get connected to the internet and transfer data...
  • Software development – what are your tips for writing better software, or just overcoming specific challenges? Show off your software expertise...
  • Just for fun – perhaps you’ve had a great idea for a new way of doing things, but aren’t sure if there are any serious uses. Tell us about your less serious tips and ideas!

 

We’re looking for tips of around 40 to 50 words with a simple diagram or image. 

 

Share your ideas as a comment on this discussion and we will be in touch with you to let you know if your tip will be included in the next edition of ebooks.

Parents

  • Perfect Front Panel layouts.

     

    Copy and Paste your PCB layout to the desktop, open.

    Drag and highlight the layout, use the "group" tool to

    lock the layout into a single object.

     

    Select the "Mechanical" layer and create "+" center marks for

    switches, Pots, sockets etc. (This method is also used for

    layouts for "off-board only" component panel layouts).

     

    Create the lid/panel outline and centers for PCB mounting holes

     

    Drag the grouped PCB layout to a clear area and check that all

    the panel centers have been marked, if correct - delete the PCB.

     

    Draw the mounting holes with corresponding size circles and tidy

    up the centers.

     

    Now switch to the "Silkscreen" layer and produce the artwork for

    the front panel.

     

    Save as "(project name)Front Panel" to your project folder.

     

    Print the "Mechanical" layer. Do the same with the

    "Silkscreen" layer(use a coloured paper for Pro. results)

     

    Stick the drilling template("Mechanical" layer) to the panel or

    lid. Use a center punch on hole centers and drill holes, de-burr.

    I use "Pritt-stick" for this stage to glue the template as it

    peels off easly on completion. Check for a test fit. Trim Pot,

    Rotary switch shafts etc. Remove the PCB and/or components

    and set aside.

     

    Clean and dry the panel surface. Use a good contact adhesive to

    stick the paper to the panel(lightly coat the back of the print

    a few times with clear enamel as a sealant to stop the adhesive

    "bleeding" through the paper causing disscoloured patches).

    Use clear Enamel or clear adhesive film to seal the front paper layer.

    Trim the holes of all excess paper/film and mount the PCB and/or

    components.

     

    By saving the panel layout in the project folder allows for future

    builds.

Reply

  • Perfect Front Panel layouts.

     

    Copy and Paste your PCB layout to the desktop, open.

    Drag and highlight the layout, use the "group" tool to

    lock the layout into a single object.

     

    Select the "Mechanical" layer and create "+" center marks for

    switches, Pots, sockets etc. (This method is also used for

    layouts for "off-board only" component panel layouts).

     

    Create the lid/panel outline and centers for PCB mounting holes

     

    Drag the grouped PCB layout to a clear area and check that all

    the panel centers have been marked, if correct - delete the PCB.

     

    Draw the mounting holes with corresponding size circles and tidy

    up the centers.

     

    Now switch to the "Silkscreen" layer and produce the artwork for

    the front panel.

     

    Save as "(project name)Front Panel" to your project folder.

     

    Print the "Mechanical" layer. Do the same with the

    "Silkscreen" layer(use a coloured paper for Pro. results)

     

    Stick the drilling template("Mechanical" layer) to the panel or

    lid. Use a center punch on hole centers and drill holes, de-burr.

    I use "Pritt-stick" for this stage to glue the template as it

    peels off easly on completion. Check for a test fit. Trim Pot,

    Rotary switch shafts etc. Remove the PCB and/or components

    and set aside.

     

    Clean and dry the panel surface. Use a good contact adhesive to

    stick the paper to the panel(lightly coat the back of the print

    a few times with clear enamel as a sealant to stop the adhesive

    "bleeding" through the paper causing disscoloured patches).

    Use clear Enamel or clear adhesive film to seal the front paper layer.

    Trim the holes of all excess paper/film and mount the PCB and/or

    components.

     

    By saving the panel layout in the project folder allows for future

    builds.

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