Examples of work

[booski]

I've noticed lately that despite the forum being open that there hasn't been a great deal of activity.

From admins or others which is somewhat surprising. It would seem that the 'word' of this software isn't spreading and so it isn't getting much attention which is a damn shame because there are many people who use cnc machines in order to make PCB's and other engraving items.

So I figured I would upload a picture of my latest piece of work.

Unfortunately, due to the REALLY tight picture limits on the forums (256kb, 640x480) you can't really see it in any real quality

Eitherway, it's a USB to serial converter I made using a CH340T adapter for use with arduino mini pros. It was cut at 0.075mm depth with a 0.1mm pyramid engraving bit and passes for a 0.3mm spacing. Whether it is actually that size or not, I don't know because the cutting tools I have are pretty inaccurately ground.

[Country_Bubba]

That looks great! Did you hand solder or reflow the joints! I have been contemplating trying to do some smd, but am a bit concerned as the method to use. Also my eyes "ain't" what they used to be!!

As far as getting the word out, I agree with you as this is a fantastic addon for to be able to make consistent boards. I also really like the idea of it being a stand alone program rather than bundled into another one as this makes for a lot of flexibility in its uses.

[booski]

Little bit of solder paste for the 0805 packages and reflow and then I used the old solder/suck technique for the chip as I don't have any syringes yet for my solder paste.

If you've got a hot air station, SMD suddenly becomes extremely easy.

Saying that, even if you haven't got an a hot air station SMD is still easy.

If you wanted to solder the small 0805 resistors for example with an iron, you would put a blob of solder onto one pad first, then position the resistor over the blob and then reflow the solder and simply solder the other side of it.

That chip that's on the board, same idea just solder 2 pins opposite to each other and then what I did was flood the pins with solder on both sides and then one side at a time, reflow the solder and remove with a solder sucker.

Easy!

[daedelus]

Thats a great example of what can be done. Really encouraging for everyone here including me. Thanks for sharing. I am also wondering whether you soldered or reflowed? I haven't tried to solder any SMD stuff either and thought I might need to apply a soldermask coating first. I have seen some dry film soldermask layers which look ineresting.

I totally agree with both of you about this sites popularity, I am sure there are lots of people out there who are searching for this site right now. I think that what I need to do is "make this site more searchable" by performing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tricks.

I will do this shortly as I want as many people as possible to get the benefit of the software but there a few reasons why I have not done this so far:

1. This will take time to research and configure, time, I seem to be lacking lately.
2. At the moment, the site is manageable, i.e. I can converse with everyone here and am still able to write some code etc. If there were many more visitors, then that might not be possible. Having said that I'm sure the AutoLeveller experts such as yourselves wouldn't mind answering a few questions.
3. My CNC machine has a few problems with tables and clamps which need to be fixed before I can do any more testing.

Ah well, its the weekend now so I shall see what I can do.

best,

[booski]

I can do a solder mask using the green solder mask paint, UV curable.
It's awkward though because my laser printer doesn't print very well so I don't get very defined lines on the transparencies.

Only if I were to go to the really small stuff, the 0402 sort of size smd would I bother with a solder mask. It's very messy too!

Solder paste also, have to keep it in the fridge. Otherwise it dries out and you can't use it and at £4 for 30g, it's a lot to waste!

[daedelus]

I was looking at this dry film stuff a while back: http://youtu.be/SHDI18pIv68?t=4m10s
Should be less messy but doesnt looks very quick still. Have you ever used it?

With regards to the forums and web-site, I have been tinkering with the site a bit today in an attempt to push it up the search rankings and thus get more traffic. It will take google a couple of day to discover any changes I made I believe but hopefully we will see more visitors soon. If not, I will have a re-think

[booski]

I haven't used the solder resist film before but I have used the photo resist sheet which is practically the same stuff.

It is good stuff and works really well. The main trouble is getting all of the air out, if you don't then the film wont stick and will leave spots. Heating it evenly is difficult also without a laminator. I've got a hot air gun and a laminator. The next trouble is getting a laminator that will allow a PCB through considering they are designed for paper.
THEN, you need a laser printer that can print solid toner on a transparency at a low heat as to not warp the transparenecy,

There's a lot that can go wrong!

At least with the paint, you haven't got to worry about heat or air bubbles.