Circuit design question. Prototyping.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on creating a sequential tail light kit using a 556 chip, with participants sharing methods for transitioning from a breadboard setup to a durable, weatherproof circuit. Options include etching a PCB using the toner transfer method, which is cost-effective and straightforward, or using a mechanical PCB router for more precision. Participants also suggest using perf-board for hand wiring if a layout isn't desired, and recommend conformal coating or potting compounds for weatherproofing. Free PCB CAD software options for OSX are sought, with Pad2Pad mentioned as a useful tool despite its limitations on Windows. The conversation emphasizes practical approaches to prototyping and circuit design for automotive applications.
Shadow787470
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Some of you may have seen my thread where i am using 555 (more then likely a 556 instead)
to make a sequential tail light kit for my car. Its a pretty simple circuit that really only consists of the 556 chip, a few small caps, and a few resistors then the relays (currently using LEDs to get everything setup correctly)

Ive just about got it set up correctly i just need to perfect the timing of the cycle. The next problem i face is taking my breadboard setup and making it into something i can actually use.
Ive seen where you can buy copper plated chips and etch them yourself but it that the best method? I need something that will be durable and preferably something i can weather proof a little bit.
I googles a little but "circuit design" is pretty broad.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
It really just depends on what you want to do. If you want to learn to etch a board, that option is always there. You will have to do some type of layout first and then drill all your holes, plate the board, etc.

If you want a more 'hands-off' approach, you might want to have boards made. There are freeware layout programs that prototype boardhouses use (sunstone.com for example has one). Just Google prototype PCB and you'll find several links.

If you really don't want to do a layout, you could always just get some perf-board and hand wire your circuit.

If you want to weatherproof the design, there is always conformal coating. You would also use a potting compound to seal the circuit if you are still worried about the elements.
 
For small size and quantity semi-permanent applications, I prefer a perforated grid proto board with copper strips like the Radio Shack http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102845
The 0.1"" grid is perfect for DIP and miniDIP ICs (and sockets), and works well with transistors also.

Bob S
 
You can use "press and peel blue" and ferric chloride to etch your PCB design on a copper board. This is probably the simplest approach to a PCB prototype.

You essentially print your circuit with a laser-jet printer onto the blue film, iron onto a copper board, peel off the blue, and etch the remaining copper with ferric chloride. It works pretty well although very fine pitch work can come out a bit shotty.

A more elegant way is using a mechanical PCB router. I use one at my work from LPKF. It mechanically removes the copper (like a cnc machine).

For a simple circuit, try out the press and peel - you could probably make a circuit for <20 bucks and have plenty of material left over to make more boards for later designs.

-Joe
 
EDIT: Actually i found the source of my confusion...
To shorten my post i have decided to etch my own board using the toner method (assuming i can find a printer to use!)

Does anyone know of some easy to use (free) PCB CAD software for OSX?
Im currently using Pad2Pad which has proven pretty easy to use and useful but i have to run windows on parallels which slows things down a little.
 
Hi all I have some confusion about piezoelectrical sensors combination. If i have three acoustic piezoelectrical sensors (with same receive sensitivity in dB ref V/1uPa) placed at specific distance, these sensors receive acoustic signal from a sound source placed at far field distance (Plane Wave) and from broadside. I receive output of these sensors through individual preamplifiers, add them through hardware like summer circuit adder or in software after digitization and in this way got an...
I have recently moved into a new (rather ancient) house and had a few trips of my Residual Current breaker. I dug out my old Socket tester which tell me the three pins are correct. But then the Red warning light tells me my socket(s) fail the loop test. I never had this before but my last house had an overhead supply with no Earth from the company. The tester said "get this checked" and the man said the (high but not ridiculous) earth resistance was acceptable. I stuck a new copper earth...
Thread 'Beauty of old electrical and measuring things, etc.'
Even as a kid, I saw beauty in old devices. That made me want to understand how they worked. I had lots of old things that I keep and now reviving. Old things need to work to see the beauty. Here's what I've done so far. Two views of the gadgets shelves and my small work space: Here's a close up look at the meters, gauges and other measuring things: This is what I think of as surface-mount electrical components and wiring. The components are very old and shows how...

Similar threads

Replies
10
Views
1K
Replies
22
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
32
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Back
Top