On Sat, 7 Feb 2009 20:55:04 -0600 David Kelly <[email protected]> wrote: > Am guessing the PCB is a big step for Vincent. We have sources in the > USA where one can get 5 double sided PCBs with plated through holes, > silkscreen on top, soldermask top and bottom, for under $100 in 5 days.
Yes, problem is cost indeed (double sided Euro sized PCB (160x100mm) cost around 75 Euros, about $100 USD..... plus the time it will take me to learn how to use the CAD software, since I have never really done more that quickly playing with them ! During my idustrial placement, I did develop a prototype.. but I was doing mostly the programming of the MCU, for schematic capture, routing etc, I had an assitant who would do it all for me on Protel ! I am on Linux so no Protel anyway. Last time I checked, the two CAD suites that looked viable were gEda and Kicad, with the latter being more user friendly than the former I found. Any feedback on CAD suites on Linux, recommendations ? So for now, I draw my schematics by hand on paper, and when the hardware will be stabilized (enough), I will take (a lot probably!) of time to learn some CAD suite and route the bloody thing. But yes, I can't wait to have a nice PCB, so it looks more professional if anything, but also so that it's less fragile than my crappy prototype board with its forest of wire wrap wires underneath, that lets avrdude talk to the AVR ONLY when it feels like it. Usually wiggling the ISP connector on the board, convinces the board to cooperate ! ;-) I hjave already made a lovely varnished wooden cabinet to host the board, with a facia with cut-outs for the LCD and keypad and everything. A nice PCB would be the ice on the cake ! ;-) -- Vince _______________________________________________ AVR-chat mailing list [email protected] http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/avr-chat
