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Thanks Steve. I have been using ICD and real components for about 14 years now. Also have been using the free software and services of Express PCB.
I guess I am looking for a little more convience. I realize nothing will take the place of actual parts and brain.
-Bert
The glass is not half full or half empty, Its twice as big as needed for the job!
http://foamcasualty.com/ - Warbird R/C scratch building with foam!
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Are you planning on etching or machining your boards?
Dave
Always wear safety glasses while programming.
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No Dave, I have them made. Its Just SOOO much better then when i made them myself years ago. Of course, I guess if I went back to that it would be easier (and cheaper ?) to prototype that way. Hmmm....
-Bert
The glass is not half full or half empty, Its twice as big as needed for the job!
http://foamcasualty.com/ - Warbird R/C scratch building with foam!
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Home made pcb is still good for small production and/or proof on concept, but yes you need to play a little bit with chemicals and stuff like that. Home made SMD, double side PCB is not a problem. I still do it here, then once I'm sure everything's o.k I go for the outsource.
Does ExpressPCB software allow you to export to gerber or you need to stick with their service only? Beauty of third party one, is the ability to generate standard gerber format so you can have your PCB made everywhere. Some place even accept Eagle files directly, not only generated gerber ones.
Steve
It's not a bug, it's a random feature.
There's no problem, only learning opportunities.
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Express PCB is strickly stick with their service. Mind you their service is good. I have never had any problems with it.
-Bert
The glass is not half full or half empty, Its twice as big as needed for the job!
http://foamcasualty.com/ - Warbird R/C scratch building with foam!
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Everyone probably already knows my oppinion of Proteus, but I'll say it again.
It's totally awesome. Best SIM I've ever seen. I'll never be without it again, unless I quit programming PIC's.
I just recently started using ARES (the PCB part) at work, and I've never made PCBoards so easily. It was actually fun for once. I always hated doing PCB's before.
It isn't exactly cheap, but if you can afford it, I would recommend it above anything else.
And NO, you don't need the "Advanced Simulation" stuff.
The real strength of Proteus is the simulation of your code in a microprocessor.
The analog parts work, if your design is good. Out of spec designs give results you wouldn't see in real life, so it's not a "Proof of concept" if you don't have a good design to start with.
It is invaluable for debugging code though.
Especially when you're debugging other people's code.
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Around nine months ago I purchased my first cnc mill. Never again to use chemicals. For prototypes and small runs it is great. When I learn more about machining, jigs and fixtures it may even be good for relatively large runs. No silks though..Originally Posted by cncmachineguy
Dave
Always wear safety glasses while programming.
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For home made pcb's look also at http://www.pulsarprofx.com/pcbfx/main_site/pages/
I liked very much the idea of having etching with a sponge and a few drops of etchant fluid.
Ioannis
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@Dave, I would love to see pics of your mill!
@Ioannis, That is a GREAT link! I think I have read the entire site, and I must say, it looks like a wonderful technique. Still unsure on solder mask and the via's sound a bit cumbersome. but for prototyping, sounds like fun.
@Darrel, Thanks for jumping in and carrying the flag for VSM! Without the advanced sim stuff, are you able to watch outputs like on a scope? So being able to compare timing between signals and such?
-Bert
The glass is not half full or half empty, Its twice as big as needed for the job!
http://foamcasualty.com/ - Warbird R/C scratch building with foam!
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Oh yeah, lots of test equipment.
4-ch. O-Scope (DSO)
32-ch. Logic analyzer
Frequency counter/timer
I2C debugger
SPI debugger
Voltmeter
Ammeter
Pattern Generator
Signal Generator
Virtual Terminal
And you can have multiples of each one. Try putting 4 O-scopes on your workbench.
More test equipment than I could ever afford in real life.
RS232 ports connect to real COM ports.
Sound devices use the PC speakers.
Virtual ATA hard drives.
Stepper Motors
Servo Motors
LCDs
GLCDs
Switches, keypads
LED's, LED matrix
RTC's, EEPROM's, 7400 TTL series, 4000 CMOS series chips.
And if you're old enough ... Thermionic Valves (Tubes)
You can run multiple PIC's, each with a different program, at the same time.
It's just Waaaaay Toooo Coool!
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