What after the bread board

Community General Discussion
1

Hello,

I started some weeks ago with the Arduino programming. Very fun. But I'm wondering something and I don't really know what to search on Google. So I'll ask my questions here:

  • The breadboard and so on... That's just for testing, at some point of time, I'll need to embed all my components in one (I would say). So no breadboard anymore. But that would also mean no Arduino board. So I'd like to know if it is possible to just get the micro controller that contains my program and put it in the final big component. Because, let's imagine that I want to do a thermometer (awesome), I won't build a component big enough to contain the Arduino ?
  • What about the construction of my component ? Indeed, If I have my TMP36 and my micro controller... I could mc gyver them and solder them in one but the design and so on would suck... Is it possible to make a schema of what I want, send that schema and components to another company that would build the component ?

So these two questions are summarized in the title... When the program is done, when components have been chosen... How to go stand alone ? Without breadboard, without the whole Arduino stuff ? How to make the component built ? In 4 words... How to go further ?

2

Going to a standalone design that incorporates Arduino functionality is easy.
Here are a bunch of examples
www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17

Design software from places like cadsoftusa.com make it pretty simple.

Or you can hire someone like me do design it for you.

3

Ok...

Maybe I didn't make myself very clear. I'm a beginner in electronic world. I'm slowly learning it but basically, I'm a newbie... Your answer just show me pictures without almost no explanation so it does not really help me. What I need is a long and boring explanation of all the steps and all considerations to have in mind to be able to go from the breadboard to a correctly manufactured component.

4

If you just want an easy way to transfer your breadboard design to something more permanent, then this is for you.
http://proto-pic.co.uk/adafruit-perma-proto-full-sized-breadboard-pcb-3-pack/

You will need a basic arduino circuit like this

to start with, then add the other components from your breadboard.

If you want a "proper" PCB for your project, then you'd need to learn eaglecad or kicad design software.

Another alternative is http://fritzing.org/ where you can have a PCB produced from the breadboard design software.

5

Ok, so try this then.
Download Eagle 6.5 from cadsoftusa.com
Download one of the Arduino designs zip files.
Unzip it, and open the .sch file using Eagle.
Modify the design to suit your needs.
Update the .brd file for your revised design.
Go to iteadstudio, from their PCB ordering page, download their .cam and .dru files.
Check your design in eagle using the itead .dru file. Fix any errors.
Within eagle, use File:Cam processer, browse to the itead .cam file, and let it run to create 13 gerber files.
Zip the 13 files, send them to iteadstudio to have boards made.

Good luck in your quest!

6

Thanks,

I'll check all links and try to do what you advised me. I'll come back here when I'm done to ask more questions :stuck_out_tongue: (I'm sure I'll have new ones).

Thanks a lot