So after months of building, testing and blowing up numerous components, I now have a working prototype using an Arduino Pro Mini with a rechargeable lipo battery.
Great.
But how to I take it to the next level and create a Custom Printed Circuit board with SMD components?
Basically I want to miniaturise it and 3d print a case for it.
But I'm not an electronics engineer and I dont really know how to produce Eagle files. Is it hard to learn? Or should I employ an engineer to do this?
If you Plan on doing professional work. Eagle is the logical choice.
If you are a hobbyist tthen Fritzrig is much much easier too learn and get quality results
You should be able to print a layout. Glue that to a cardboard.
Place components to make sure they fit
Make sure there is room for mounting screws with washers and no traces under the washers.
For all my PCB designs I use FreePCB, works great and is easy to learn.
PCB fabrication I have found AllPCB to be the cheapest, and fastest service, 5 days from sending Gerber files to receiving finished PCBs - from China to the UK !!
First off, well done with your project. Isn't it a satisfying feeling?
skyboyflyboy:
But I'm not an electronics engineer and I dont really know how to produce Eagle files. Is it hard to learn? Or should I employ an engineer to do this?
EAGLE is my go to CAD program, but I had the benefit of being taught it in a classroom. It can be a bit daunting to learn- it is definitely worth sitting down for an hour or so and watching some Youtube tutorials. Frizting is much easier to get started with but once you get a handle on it EAGLE is far more powerful.
daba:
PCB fabrication I have found AllPCB to be the cheapest, and fastest service, 5 days from sending Gerber files to receiving finished PCBs - from China to the UK !!
I can second that recommendation, I've been very happy with their product. JLPCB is also good, although I've found them slightly slower than AllPCB.
BJHenry:
I can second that recommendation, I've been very happy with their product. JLPCB is also good, although I've found them slightly slower than AllPCB.
AllPCB are currently doing 10 boards (DS, PTH etc.) for just $5 !!
Okay £19 postage, but that still works out at $2.40 per board, which is exceptional ! And there's no "set-up" charges like some others charge ...
daba:
AllPCB are currently doing 10 boards (DS, PTH etc.) for just $5 !!
Okay £19 postage, but that still works out at $2.40 per board, which is exceptional ! And there's no "set-up" charges like some others charge ...
Haha, late last year when I got some boards made they were doing free shipping with a setup fee of about $15. I always make sure I check around whenever I'm about to order, it is hard to keep up with who's doing what deal.
skyboyflyboy:
Thanks Guys, lots to think about there.
I guess my other main question is, how do I move away from Arduino and use a single AtMega chip in my project?
I've seen it done on Youtube but it seems that you have to handle all the voltage regulation issues yourself.
Is this a difficult process? or has it been done by others in a worked example anywhere?
thanks
That depends on if you actually need to have a voltage regulator. If you're only using a single cell battery (~3.7V?) then you don't need to use a regulator- you can feed that directly into the IC. If your battery voltage is higher than 5V you will need a regulator but even then you there are a few good COTS options you can use if you're shy about laying out your own circuit.
i cannot reccomend easyEDA pcb design software and jlc pcb enough. the software is all online, no download needed. as for implementing the arduino directly onto the PCB, i dont recommend it as it tends to be more expensive than simply buying the board and plugging it into the pcb (unless you are doing production runs, 50+). it can also be challenging to even source the correct chips with bootloaders pre programmed.
for help on the circuit i would check out the official arduino schematics here. these schematics are well tested, eliminating any errors you may make as long as you follow them.
on jlc pcb you can get 10x 100mmx100mm pcbs for 2$ plus like 12$ shipping (arrive same week), and if your projects small and you panelize, i.e. same circuit 4x on a pcb, netting you a total of 40 pcb's
here is an example of how i do this in easyeda for production runs of my custom micro controllers.
depends on the equipment. if you are just starting out it will cost upwards of 150$ right off the bat to get cheep equipment. i use this reflow gun in conjunction with a homemade reflow oven made from a toaster over (total cost = 70$), and a homemade solder paste dispenser (total cost = 40$). if possible, i would limit the amount of smd components you use. you will have a hard time soldering smd components with a normal soldering iron (is possible), but almost an impossible time soldering in the atmel chip.
perhaps design your circuit board so a normal arduino can plug in like this? (this is the PCB for my reflow oven)
