blakeAlbion
Well-known member
It's a new year, and time to try new things.
If I want to get a PCB made, maybe a very small batch, what files do I need to send? Is it just a PDF? How good do they have to be? To me, this is one of those things where until you have done it successfully you don't know enough to be able to do it. So I have waited years.
What's a decent example of a simple PCB layout? How was it made? How do I know it was well-printed when I get my proofs back?
I will never need more than four of anything. There's zero chance of me ever putting in a bulk order for 999 pcbs. Mainly I am interested in reducing build time and increasing reliability.
I love working with electronics, but I am really, really dumb when it comes to things I have never had a verbal conversation about. I don't think in pictures at all, so making a PCB layout is a matter of faith. (I have a massive project in Audio Library Design Tool and due to many edits I lost the layout coordinates. It took many hours to pull the original layout out of the spaghetti. I don't like chaos or mess any more than anyone else but I seem to lack the grey matter to be able to straighten a network of components with many nodes.)
Along the same lines, I don't have anything like a machine shop. No CNC for me. I don't even have Baby's First Drill Press, or a mitre saw to make nice corners for my enclosures. (would I like a 3D printer? sure... maybe some day) So, same basic question here: If I need a customized enclosure, or even just a sheet of aluminum with some through-hole controls, what do I need to provide to a vendor so they will be able to do what I need? I have never made a mechanical diagram in my life. Flunked machine shop as a kid. My designs had holes worn in them from all the eraser use.
The projects I am doing with the Teensy are far better than anything I have ever done before. I would like to be able to consider giving some of these projects a proper home.
Thanks,
Ben
If I want to get a PCB made, maybe a very small batch, what files do I need to send? Is it just a PDF? How good do they have to be? To me, this is one of those things where until you have done it successfully you don't know enough to be able to do it. So I have waited years.
What's a decent example of a simple PCB layout? How was it made? How do I know it was well-printed when I get my proofs back?
I will never need more than four of anything. There's zero chance of me ever putting in a bulk order for 999 pcbs. Mainly I am interested in reducing build time and increasing reliability.
I love working with electronics, but I am really, really dumb when it comes to things I have never had a verbal conversation about. I don't think in pictures at all, so making a PCB layout is a matter of faith. (I have a massive project in Audio Library Design Tool and due to many edits I lost the layout coordinates. It took many hours to pull the original layout out of the spaghetti. I don't like chaos or mess any more than anyone else but I seem to lack the grey matter to be able to straighten a network of components with many nodes.)
Along the same lines, I don't have anything like a machine shop. No CNC for me. I don't even have Baby's First Drill Press, or a mitre saw to make nice corners for my enclosures. (would I like a 3D printer? sure... maybe some day) So, same basic question here: If I need a customized enclosure, or even just a sheet of aluminum with some through-hole controls, what do I need to provide to a vendor so they will be able to do what I need? I have never made a mechanical diagram in my life. Flunked machine shop as a kid. My designs had holes worn in them from all the eraser use.
The projects I am doing with the Teensy are far better than anything I have ever done before. I would like to be able to consider giving some of these projects a proper home.
Thanks,
Ben