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Week4 - Electronics Production

Here are my week 4 assignment​

What should I achieve in this week:​

Group assignment:​

  • Characterize the design rules for your in-house PCB production process

Individual assignment:​

  • Make and test a microcontroller development board
    • extra credit: personalize the board
    • extra credit: make it with another process

Electronic Production Notes​

PCB Fabrication Methods​

  1. Dead Bug Method
  2. Etching
  3. Machining
    • This is the method used for the assignment.

Machining Details:​

Machines​

  • Variety of machines used in different labs.

Tools​

  • 1/64 milling
  • 1/32 milling
  • V-bits
  • Tapered bits, etc.

Fixturing​

  • Used for holding the board in place without movement.

Underlay​

  • Prevents drilling down to the machine bed.

Zeroing (Important)​

  • Ensures the starting point of the mill with three methods:
    1. Mounting
    2. Lowering
    3. Probing (using a tool)

Set-Screws, Collets​

  • Choose the right mill for cutting (available in the labs).

Lifetime​

  • Refers to the tool's lifespan - usage must be monitored.

Deburring​

  • Process of removing impurities from the board.

Cleaning​

  • Cleaning the board after processing.

Vinyl Cutter​

  • Used for cutting designs from images but can also cut copper.
  • The outcome is flexible and can fit almost any application.

Materials​

  • Rigid
    • FR4 (epoxy glass)
    • FR1 (phenolic paper)
    • Garolite
  • Flex
    • Kapton, Pyralux
    • #1 epoxy film, #1126 copper tape
  • High-Frequency
    • Teflon
    • Glass
  • Copper Thickness
    • 0.5 oz: 17.5 um
    • 1.0 oz: 35 um
    • 2.0 oz: 70 um

Board Houses​

  • Located in Shenzhen, offering PCB design at low prices.

Design Rules​

  • Typical design rule is 5 mils.

Layer Options​

  • Multiple layers available: 1, 1.5, 2, 2+, 4, N.

Rivets​

  • There might be resistance for 0 due to the size, which can cause cross connections - applies to 2 layers.

Layers in Devices​

  • Typically, 4 layers for general devices, with 6 layers in phones.

Group Assignment​

  • Send a board design to a board house.

Components​

  • Use Octopart for finding components and datasheets.

Breadboard​

  • Suitable for beginners but not aesthetically pleasing.

Assembly​

  • Soldering and wire connections are required.
  • Aim for smooth, non-lumpy solder joints.
  • Hold the solder slightly after application for setting.

Redoing Solder​

  • Stuffing and desoldering are necessary to ensure the possibility of rework.

CAM and File Formats​

  • Learn the Gerber format for CAM.

Machine Cutting​

  1. Use PNG or SVG for lossless resolution in machine cutting.
  2. Convert PNG or SVG images with mods, selecting the appropriate mill, like a V-bit or other sizes such as 1/64 or 1/32.
  3. Set related parameters to view the final outcome and machine cutting trace.

Quentorres​

XIAO RP2040 Button as simple input LED as simple output

The GPT 4 can generate more, but the contents above are mine and I like it just recorginze.