How do you best make a stable final project (wire/stripboard/etc.)?

Projects General Guidance
1

I had a complete prototype of my project built; a 6x3x2 enclosure with 6 potentiometers, and 6 leds. The leds served as simple value references (pwm dim/brighten), and the 0-1023 values are sent into max/msp.

All of this connected in a very messy manner, loosely jammed into the enclosure:

  • breadboard
  • jumper wires (22-24 gauge stranded wire with solid male ends)
  • lots of electrical tape

I wanted to make the project more professional and stable, thus started experimenting with other wire, and soldering instead of tape. I tried 18 gauge solid-core wire; it was too thick and ruined segments of breadboard, so stiff, that bending wires which were soldered to my potentiometers broke many of their pins clean off. I eventually got 22 gauge solid-core wire, but this still only seems fit for prototyping on a breadboard. Fairly frustrated, I'm in need of your wisdom.

I still plan on having the arduino unit as the center of this project, but I have a few questions:

  • Should I use stripboard or other prototyping pcbs to replace the unreliable breadboard?
  • How can I best implement flexible stranded wire while still connecting to the arduino?
  • Am I an obvious example of a newb in need of a proto shield?

thank you for any help you can give :slight_smile:

  • Eric
2

perhaps answering my own question: would theses Shield stacking headers for Arduino (R3 Compatible) : ID 85 : $1.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits and some stripboard do the trick?

3

A very good idea would be to strip the end of the stranded and solder the end, it will hold the strands together as if it were solid, but without the hassles of solid
I personally usually use solid 20/22 gauge and solder my connections on a regular proto pcb because tne end product looks cleaner and straighter
the only time I really needed stranded was for a touch screen display that was mounted a few inches away perpendicular to my arduino, I needed the flexibility while I was moving it into position and mounting, stranded wire is great for spots were it may move sometimes, solid is great for stable parts

4

As you have few external components, another option is to build up a standalone arduino clone and connect your pots & LEDs to it:

http://store.nkcelectronics.com/arduino-runtime-board-rev-b.html