rng has been working on a new PCB CAD tool called Razen: Razen is a collaborative, scriptable schematic and PCB layout tool. Currently in development, a first alpha release will be available by April. Via the forum.
Category Archives: PCBs
HackEDA: Build your own custom circuit board
Would you like a pcb of your HackEDA generated design made for you (for free)? … I’m testing something out, and I need sample designs. If you’re willing to assemble the board yourself and give me feedback on how it went, I’ll lay your design out, route it, have it made and send it to […]
Kicad tutorial: PCB edges
Here’s a short Kicad tutorial by Wayne and Layne: PCB edges An important part of designing a PCB is to clearly indicate the outline of the board, so the board house will know how to cut your boards apart. Most PCBs are rectangular, but sometimes you want to add a more complex outline (like a […]
DP6037 Protoboard v1 PCB back in stock
The DP6037 Protoboard v1 PCB is back in stock at Seeed Studio. A multipurpose 0.1″ pitch prototyping board that fits a DP6037 acrylic case. Grab a PCB from Seeed for $2.50.
TI: parasitic effects and PCB design
Wedecon Electronic Design located this post on the Texas Instruments blog highlighting the problems presented in PCB design by parasitic effects caused by rapid high current transients and high frequencies. You can view the post Everything is Part of the Circuit on the TI blog. Via the contact form.
Arduino: Moppyduino M_usical Fl_oppy controller PCB
Moppyduino, is a 6 channel Arduino based M_usical Fl_oppy controller PCB: Moppyduino is a M_usical Fl_oppy controller PCB based around the Arduino. The code is provided courtesy of Sammy1Am.
PCB a Week 9: MrRef voltage and current reference
Mats continues his challenge of designing one PCB every week. This tool helps check the accuracy of your multimeter: The design might be interesting anyways since it has remote sensing for compensating for voltage drop in the cables. But if your meter is drawing enough current to cause more than a 1 mV drop you […]
PCB a Week 8: NU-FitHole hole size helper
Mats continues his challenge of designing one PCB every week. This tool helps to determine exact hole dimensions for screws and other parts. This weeks PAW will be extremely simple – it’s not even a breakout board, but it might still come in handy for people making PCBs. The FitHole is a tool for testing […]
PCB a Week 7: Mains log sensor
Mats continues his challenge of designing one PCB every week. In week 7 he designed a voltage and frequency logger for household mains power supply. The device is designed around the ATtiny45 microcontroller which records the frequency and voltage, and passes measurements through an onto-coupler to an isolated logging board. This week I’ll just finalize […]
Seeed to offer solder paste stencil services soon
In response to our post about a competitor offering cheap solderpaste stencil services Seeed Studio announced they are working on the same. Expect them to be available after the Chinese New Year break. Yes! We are preparing that, will available after Chinese New Year! ;) Via the comments.
Another cheap PCB fab house
Mats stumbled upon another cheap PCB fab house. The pricing and PCB limitations are comparable with Seeed and Itead. With each PCB order they offer a solder past stencil for an extra $25. We also noticed that they offer part sourcing, and PCB assembly services even in low quantities. Via the forum.
Digital Paddleclock assembly
jechavarria recently received a Digital Paddleclock PCB in the giveaway and wrote a post on his blog detailing its assembly and operation. Via the contact form.
PCB a Week 6: GolGrid Conway’s game of life emulator 4×4 LED modules
Mats continues his challenge of designing one PCB every week. In week 6 he came up with GolGrid, a Conwat’s game of life emulator 4×4 LED modules. The modules are designed to accept commands over the UART protocol, and set or clear the corresponding LEDs. This weeks PAW will be a similar board, but SMD […]
Double sided vinyl sticker PCB toner transfer
Mincior made a tutorial on DIY double sided PCBs using vinyl stickers as your toner transfer substrate. We wrote about his vinyl sticker method in an earlier post, but this one covers synchronization between the two layers as well. This is a different way of making a double sided PCB, having one feature in common […]
How to make PCBs on thermal tape
Here’s an interesting method for designing PCBs that you’d like to mount on heatsinks. This tutorial explains how to make your PCB using thermal tape as the copper substrate. A thin piece of copper is mounted onto thermal tape, then just use whatever etching process you prefer. Via Electronics Lab.
Seeed sends $10 Fusion PCB service coupons with every PCB order
Seeed Studios is currently (17.1.2013-20.1.2013) running a promotion where you get a $10 Fusion PCB service coupon with every PCB order. This is a push to promote the recent changes made to the ordering process. The service is now made through an automated online ordering process. You just upload your files, chose the specs and […]
PCB a Week 5: Oledy generic OLED breakout board
Mats continues his challenge of designing one PCB every week. In week 5 he came up with Oledy, a breakout board featuring 8 most common pitches for OLED display connectors, spanning from 0.5mm to 1mm. The Oledy board is a 5×5 cm board meant to be cut in half ending up with two boards 2.5 […]
PCB assembly tips: the making of the AASaver
Last March Ray presented his design of a portable breadboard power supply with a selectable voltage using the Microchip MCP1640 boost converter he dubbed the AASaver. After receiving and assembling batches of AASaver PCBs he wrote this tutorial explaining the techniques he uses to manually assemble the boards into a finished, functional product. This is […]
What happens when a V-groove hits your copper pour
Panelizing multiple PCBs onto a single panel is a cost effective way of prototyping. V-groves are usually used to separate the different PCBs, making it easy to snap them off. The picture above depicts what happens when the V-grove hits a copper pour such as a ground plane. Anyway, back to the topic. You usually […]
PCB a Week 4: RetroTime
Mats continues his challenge of designing one PCB every week. In week 4 he came up with RetroTime, a digital clock with RGB LEDs in 12 tentacles extruding from the body of the PCB. Next week I’ll do a slightly more advanced project than a simple breakout. I had this idea of making a very […]