I tested the mini B connector in the board and it fit fine. This was the major change to the board in addition to removing the power plane on top and replacing it with a 0.020" trace. So it looks like it will work but the real test will be when I solder it together and see if it can program a PIC. That will be the ultimate test. I'll update you on that in a future post.
In my March 24th blog post I talked about ordering an updated version of my PICkit 2 clone board from ITEAD studios back on March 13th. On March 18th I was emailed that they were shipped. By my blog post the boards were still in transit. They arrived today on the 28th so I can compare them to the originals from ExpressPCB. 10 days for shipping via air mail wasn't too bad. I haven't built one up yet but I am impressed with the quality of the board. In the picture above you can see the ITEAD board on the left and the original ExpressPCB board on the right. First thing to notice is the shape. To get the low cost $85 for three prototype board service from ExpressPCB I had to order in a 2.5 x 3.8 panel. I ended up squeezing in another board design to use up the extra space but it all required me to cut out the board. The ITEAD board was routed out for me for $20 and I have 10 of them instead of three. Next I looked at the silkscreen and the ITEAD is brighter and easier for my old eyes to read. The solder mask is a little brighter green as well but that really doesn't matter. The board is hot air solder leveled (HASL) on all the pads and they look real good and should be easy to solder.
I tested the mini B connector in the board and it fit fine. This was the major change to the board in addition to removing the power plane on top and replacing it with a 0.020" trace. So it looks like it will work but the real test will be when I solder it together and see if it can program a PIC. That will be the ultimate test. I'll update you on that in a future post.
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In my last post I mentioned I like to use ExpressPCB software for creating circuit boards. One complaint many people have with ExpressPCB is you have to pay $60 to get the gerber files for your project. Nothing is ever really free is it? But the ExpressPCB software works so well and the few click ordering without having to deal with gerber files is actually something I really like about ExpressPCB. But occasionally you need the Gerbers.
Well David Cook has created a software package that works with ExpressPCB files and then produces a set of gerber files. He also has added features that ExpressPCB doesn't offer but the main advantage to me is the Gerber file outputs. You can output the files for toner transfer, or files for direct to manufacture. The software is free but you have to buy the studio version to get the Gerber output. Studio version costs $49. So for a one time fee of $49 instead of a project fee of $60 you can now get Gerbers from your ExpressPCB files. Check it out at this link CopperConnection. |
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About ChuckChuck has been programming with PIC Microcontrollers since there were only five devices. Now there are over 700 and growing. He also has a lot of fun 3D printing designs using his Davinci 3D printer and TinkerCad software. In this series of blog posts and occasional videos on his YouTube Channel he tries to help you get started with electronics and 3D printing. Disclaimer |