Prototyping with SMD

[raptor1956]

Most of the prototype work I've done in the past involved DIP packages with pins that fit standard perf board, but I have a project I'm looking at that would require SMD components and I'm wondering what the best options are for doing prototype work using SMD.  What kind of proto boards should I be looking at?


Brian

[amitchell]

You can get smd to dip adapter PCB's.

https://www.digikey.ca/products/en/prototyping-products/adapter-breakout-boards/643

otherwise oshpark is relatively inexpensive for proto PCB's.

[raptor1956]

You can get smd to dip adapter PCB's.

https://www.digikey.ca/products/en/prototyping-products/adapter-breakout-boards/643

otherwise oshpark is relatively inexpensive for proto PCB's.

Great, that's exactly what I was looking for.


Brian

[ataradov]

And all those things are 10x cheaper on eBay, as usual.

[KL27x]

Also, it is never a bad idea to have some regular proto or veroboard, extra long pin header, a sharp hobby knife, a roll of 30AWG kynar wire... and a microscope.

[raptor1956]

Also, it is never a bad idea to have some regular proto or veroboard, extra long pin header, a sharp hobby knife, a roll of 30AWG kynar wire... and a microscope.

Yep. have all those things...


Brian

[KL27x]

I'm getting ready to wire up a project. God knows why I only ordered this part in SSOP. You can tell I started at pin 24 and worked my way around, clockwise. Not the neatest effort, but it works.

[nanofrog]

FWIW, there are also adapter boards for passives as well as low pin count active components (i.e. SOP23). For the former, the typical double sided PTH prototype boards work with 0805 however (example), thus reducing your prototyping supplies a bit.  Not expensive either, so an additional bonus.

Perhaps not a microscope, but magnification will likely help you depending on your eyesight. Steady hands too, but both are dependent on the individual (aka YMMV  ).

[timothyaag]

I just got some of these tqfp->dip and tsop->dip adapters: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O9YXTLU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 a couple of days ago. Just got the ICs that go with them today so I'll be trying them out tonight.

I will also vouch for OSHPark for small boards. I think I paid $10-$12/3 boards on my last two runs with them. I can't say how good of a deal they are once you get up in size and start using their extra features.

[whalphen]

Impressive work on soldering all those wires to an SSOP chip!  I can never seem to get even a few to go where I want them.

[NivagSwerdna]

FWIW... with my limited experience...

I bought a prototype board with a variety of footprints and a couple of other specific boards for even smaller footprints.

It works for tinkering but I think it is best to get to your own PCB ASAP as it's a PITA. 

[zeqing]

would be time-cost to solder the smd IC manually, many small vendors for prototyping in China, they would be glad to help you on prototyping and thus to get your big orders.. more cost-effective for 20$ than taking half a day soldering and debugging..

[KL27x]

more cost-effective for 20$ than taking half a day soldering and debugging..

Sure. Just buy every single prototyping board you might ever possibly need. And store them somehow you can magically find them whenever you need. And when you get low on inventory of 28 pin QFP adaptor, be sure to order more so you are never waiting on shipping.  I'm sure you have plenty of time to do all this while organizing and handling all the other bits and pieces you are using.

Cry once. Buy a microscope. All of these problems go away.

[nanofrog]

Cry once. Buy a microscope. All of these problems go away.

Funnily enough, I bought one back in February and it's still in the box.  The reason being I've no place to put it ATM until I completely rearrange my lab (moving the bench & adding a couple more). 

As per keeping all sorts of adapter boards, the OP might want to look into the dead bug method for IC's instead. It does require good soldering skills, a steady hand, and in the case of SMD packages, proper magnification (at least an OptiVisor).

[b_force]

And all those things are 10x cheaper on eBay, as usual.

Or just simply make your own adapter boards.
Nowadays you can get 10 board for 5 bucks shipped.

IF you be a little creative, you can fit 20 or more designs in those 10 boards.

[alank2]

While they aren't always so cheap, they do have it all:

http://www.proto-advantage.com/store/

[chrisbrown]

There have been a bunch of people asking about this recently.

I'm working on a new type of breadboard to make SMD prototyping much easier. It has a ground plane, power rails, multifunction connector footprints, adapters for SMD ICs, and an aluminum enclosure.

I'll link to the kickstarter when it launches in a couple weeks.

[nanofrog]

While they aren't always so cheap, they do have it all:

http://www.proto-advantage.com/store/

This could prove useful.