5. Electronics production¶

created and programmed my PCP board which is a micro-controller
worked on the group assignment

As a start, let us understand some theoretical principles:

What is PCB boards?¶

PCB stands for printed circuit board is the most common name but may also be called “printed wiring boards” or “printed wiring cards”. Before the advent of the PCB circuits were constructed through a laborious process of point-to-point wiring. This led to frequent failures at wire junctions and short circuits when wire insulation began to age.

A significant advance was the development of wire wrapping, where a small gauge wire is literally wrapped around a post at each connection point, creating a gas-tight connection which is highly durable and easily changeable.

As electronics moved from vacuum tubes and relays to silicon and integrated circuits, the size and cost of electronic components began to decrease. Electronics became more prevalent in consumer goods, and the pressure to reduce the size and manufacturing costs of electronic products drove manufacturers to look for better solutions. Thus was born the PCB.

PCB is an acronym for printed circuit board. It is a board that has lines and pads that connect various points together. In the picture above, there are traces that electrically connect the various connectors and components to each other. A PCB allows signals and power to be routed between physical devices. Solder is the metal that makes the electrical connections between the surface of the PCB and the electronic components. Being metal, solder also serves as a strong mechanical adhesive.

What is a Micro-controller?¶

A microcontroller (sometimes called an MCU or Microcontroller Unit) is a single Integrated Circuit (IC) that is typically used for a specific application and designed to implement certain tasks. Products and devices that must be automatically controlled in certain situations, like appliances, power tools, automobile engine control systems, and computers are great examples, but microcontrollers reach much further than just these applications.

Essentially, a microcontroller gathers input, processes this information, and outputs a certain action based on the information gathered. Microcontrollers usually operate at lower speeds, around the 1MHz to 200 MHz range, and need to be designed to consume less power because they are embedded inside other devices that can have greater power consumptions in other areas.

Creating and Programming my First micro-controller¶

By reffering to FabTinyStar Page, I have taken the same design they made for the micro-controller

-the png file for the traces -the png file for the outline and I imported on fabmodules so I generate the toolpath that is recommended for this design and convert the file to .rml

First, I have Imported new project as it shown on the figure below

Since I know the type of file is png, I have selected png.

Second, I have chosen Roland mill as it’s the language that the fine milling machine can understand.

And based on the recommended output that was outlined on PCBs with SRM-20 I have adjust the data:

once you’re done click on calculate and the toolpath will be generated as it is shown:

then click on save.

Setting up the machine¶

By referring to Machine Manual, The figure below illustrates the cutting types:

It is important to have all the following accessories for a simple cutting:

The following figures will demonstrate the essential steps to setup the machine for a simple cutting:

First to attach the cutting tool¶

Attaching the copper board¶

Process of Milling¶

Soldering and Assembling all Parts on PCB.¶

Bfore I start, I looked online for some tips to follow and I found these on Science Buddies Website: Reliable operation of a circuit with soldered connections depends on good soldering practices. Here are some tips for successful soldering.

Plan before you start to solder.
Identify all the parts that you will be using.
It is helpful to attach each part to a piece of paper and write what it is and its value (for example, resistor #1: 100 ohms).
Some components, such as LED’s, must be placed the correct way around in order to function.
The following is a suggested order for the installation of various components:
- Integrated circuit (IC) holders (note the orientation). The IC will be added later.
- Resistors
- Capacitors, less than 1 micro farad
- Large capacitors, 1 micro farad or greater, note the orientation.
- Diodes, note the orientation.
- LED’s, note the orientation.
- Transistors, note the orientation.
- Solid wire connections between components on the board
  - Solid wire is fairly rigid, so it will stay in place once attached.
- Stranded wire to parts that are connected by wire to the circuit
  - Stranded wire is more flexible than solid wire.
- Integrated circuits
  - Connect them the correct way around.
  - Many IC’s are static sensitive.
  - Leave IC’s in their antistatic packaging until you need them, then ground your hands by touching a metal water pipe or window frame before touching the IC’s.
  - Carefully insert IC’s in their holders. Make sure all the pins are lined up with the socket, then push down firmly with your thumb.

The following image is when I was solidering, as you can see I used to stablize the component with one hand and solder with the other hand.

Problem Faced¶

the only problem that I faced was when I wanted to remove some soldering with the tape removal, I should have waited more and given the material time to heat. but what I have done is I placed the tape on the area of the unwanted soldering and then placed the solder on it to heat up so material melts and the copper tape absorbs it but unfornately I pulled the copper tape before the soldering material melts and due to this part of the copper layer on the PCB board was sticken on the copper tape and removed from my board.

Hero shot¶

Programming¶

Steps were writen by refering to BRIAN’s Page

Download the needed software CrossPack for AVR® Development
Download the folder firmware source code
On the Command line write make to build the hex file
the write make flash to erase the target chip
write make fuses
to check the board is being red by the usb, it must appears on the system this possible to be done by writing on the command line lsusb this will list the usb devices that is connected to your system . if your programmer usb name is shown on list it means it is connected.
write make rstdisblwhich does same thing as the make fuses command, but it will include that reset disable bit

Fabisp recognized by the computer¶

Group Assignment¶

Link to the group assignment