PCB Advaced User

Hardware PCB
#1

I am looking for a helpful individual that understands PCB components that I can run a few items by on a PCB that I am working on getting mfg for the agopengps community. Any help would be appreciated. If you are interested please let me know and I will reach out to you on telegram and get you the few questions that remain open.

#2

Could I have the few questions first?

#3

Couple of items where discussed last nite with a group.

  1. Do we want sockets for the daughter boards. Teensy, ArduSimple(s), BN0085. The answer was yes last nite. Im all ears at this point.

  2. We have some trace errors when running this in the easyeda software. Recommendations on correcting then would be helpful. We dont want to break one thing fixing another thing. Any recomnedations?

  3. The current board design GoRoNb Gen 2 Agriberry usses both m12 and m8 connectors. Do we want a standard connector. Some people want a single “big” plug but then we are talking harnesses since some wires need to terminate on the cab roof, some on the front tire, some into tractor can, al over the place. Thoughts?

#4

There is a few, very few components that need alternatives also but I dont have the final list. Id take a little help with recommended alternatives.

#5

And lastly I’ll buy the board for whoever helps me!

#6

Question 1 was sockets - Yes

I use sockets for anything programmable (Arduino, ESP32, Teensy) At some time the Micro will break

I occasionally use sockets for 3rd party boards like IMU and A/D. It depends. Are you dealing with high current? Don’t use a socket, amperage melts sockets. Is it an expensive item like a F9P? Use a socket, so you can swap boards without desoldering/breaking the expensive board.

Finally, for testing and prototypes, sockets make life easier. Put in plenty, say for 5V, 3.3V and Gnd. Put in sockets for all unused pins, they come in handy. I don’t put in enough sockets myself, I usually find out with regret.

#7

Question 2 - I am not familiar with EasyEDA. Can the PCB run on the free version? I am quite familiar with Fritzing and design rules in general.

#9

Finally, question 3: I prefer a plug per wire application type.

first plug for main power in and power out to motor/valve.
second plug for 12V steer switch and etc.
third plug for 5V wheel angle sensor, canbus, etc.

Possibly make it two plugs, one for 5V and one for 12V

In other words group your plugs in some fashion. I shudder at the thought of having canbus, 12V steering PWM, and wheel angle sensor all in one plug. A lot of conflicting electrical types.

Depending on how modular you want to be, have a plug for each device. One plug for WAS, one plug for steer enable switch, one plug for power in, one plug for steer motor/valve. That does take a bit of plugs though.

#10

The final answer to all three questions is: it depends. Some of this comes down to what the engineer is working with, and what limitations the system has. And some of this is trial and error.

Here is my personal opinion: I order small batches of PCBs, and if they don’t work, I figure out why and try to improve. Some of the professional PCB engineers design and order the PCB, and they come assembled and ready to install. We hand assemble all our PCBs here in our shop, and the amount we save would pay an employee quite well. I design the PCBs to be assembled by hand. I have tried mass producing PCBs, but too many times a design flaw turns up in the first revisions, so I prefer small batches at the beginning.

Just my 2cents…

#11

I see this topic was also split out into a separate thread. For completeness, I will also post here: at this time I don’t use Telegram. Maybe, in a future life, that will change… For now, I will continue to use Discourse.

#12

Thanks. I’ll read this closely and circle back

#13

Had a meeting today with PCB vendor. They are working on checking Garber’s, and getting parts on BOM. Hope to hear from them tomorrow.