Help for a newb

On 11/07/13 16:30, martin helie wrote:

Hello,

 

My question is: given the number of traces, does this even sound reasonable

on a one layer pcb (and jumpers on top as needed)? I kind of feel this

really would require more layers, therefore requiring a professionally-made

pcb (which defeats the purpose of diy/hobby/do it for the fun of it)

Don't rule out the option of a double-sided PCB. I've done them

home-etched in the past (much of my first computer was built that way).

The trick is to put sufficient corner markers on the layout so that you

can achieve good alignment of the two sides.

Rob

On 11/07/13 16:30, martin helie wrote:

Hello,

 

My question is: given the number of traces, does this even sound reasonable

on a one layer pcb (and jumpers on top as needed)? I kind of feel this

really would require more layers, therefore requiring a professionally-made

pcb (which defeats the purpose of diy/hobby/do it for the fun of it)

Don't rule out the option of a double-sided PCB. I've done them

home-etched in the past (much of my first computer was built that way).

The trick is to put sufficient corner markers on the layout so that you

can achieve good alignment of the two sides.

Rob

Hi Rob,

thanks for the advice. How do you handle vias in such a scenario? Seems

like it could be tricky. Eagle's auto router handles all traces of my

circuit if I use top and bottom layers, but the number of vias it creates

is a concern. I have tried to increase the cost of vias, but that really

seems to limit its ability, and it leaves too many crisscrossing airwires

for me to handle afterwards. I can probably tweak it further and manually

route more traces but getting a sense of what I am getting into wrt vias

would be helpful.

TIA.

--

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On 07/12/2013 09:54 AM, martin helie wrote:

Hi Rob,

 

thanks for the advice. How do you handle vias in such a scenario? Seems

like it could be tricky. Eagle's auto router handles all traces of my

circuit if I use top and bottom layers, but the number of vias it creates

is a concern. I have tried to increase the cost of vias, but that really

seems to limit its ability, and it leaves too many crisscrossing airwires

for me to handle afterwards. I can probably tweak it further and manually

route more traces but getting a sense of what I am getting into wrt vias

would be helpful.

 

TIA.

 

For doing a single sided home made I would route as 2 sided route and

manual edit to move as many traces to one side of the board as you can.

For the non plated side just add jumpers from via to via for the non

plated side traces.

Since the jumper wires can cross over unlike traces you should be able

to reduce the density on the trace side and have less via then the two

sided route.

Or go the 3 boards at $5 per sq inch from http://batchpcb.oshpark.com/

Note I have use batchpcb.com before the close and not oshpark. The silk

and solder mask makes the prototype process easy.

Paul

On 12/07/13 14:54, martin helie wrote:

Hi Rob,

 

thanks for the advice. How do you handle vias in such a scenario?

That depends where the vias are. Out in the open, a bit of wire through

the board - or more specifically, there are pins available for precisely

that purpose, shaped so that you can push them into the hole and they

are held tight while you solder them.

Seems

like it could be tricky. Eagle's auto router handles all traces of my

circuit if I use top and bottom layers, but the number of vias it creates

is a concern.

Personally I would not use the autorouter for any sort of home-etch

board. Actually, I don't use it for boards I get made professionally. If

you do use it, expect to have to clean it up a LOT before you get the

minimal via solution you need.

I have to admit trying to place components in the best possible manner,

with the combination of routing the traces nicely, is daunting, as I have

absolutely no experience. I have another project I could try my hand at,

but even then, my brain's not yet wired for it (ha ha). Thanks for the

advice, I appreciate it!

--

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