My Maker/Hobbiest PCB Fabrication - Sharing Experience

[binaryfrost]

For a while, I have been a follower of ShrimpingIt (http://start.shrimping.it/) and their incredibly simple design for using and programming an Atmel 328p, from the Arduino IDE.

I'd used genuine Arduinos previously, but was looking for something more light-weight in order to build into and around other prototypes. The ShrimpingIt design was simple and reliable, with only a handful of components and a schematic that any newcomer electronics engineer/hobbyist/maker could understand (http://shrimping.it/blog/shrimp/shrimpduino_schem/).

Building this circuit on breadboard/stripboard was easy, and using an usbasp programmer I could quickly program the microcontroller 'core' for whatever I was creating. However, creating and tearing down a breadboard circuit many times can get annoying, and I wanted something more permanent on a PCB.

So I got to grips with Eagle putting in the schematic and creating my PCB. For others looking to do this for the first time, I used YouTube A LOT (https://youtu.be/1AXwjZoyNno) to help me come to terms with all the options/buttons/decisions. I learned all about 'nets', 'vias', and other things that come with moving a schematic from paper onto a PC.

From Eagle I was able to easily export the Gerber files using the CAM Processor and put them into a zip file ready to send to a manufacturer. I'd also recommend getting yourself a Gerber Viewer from somewhere too (lots of free ones around) so that you can check the files/layers/dimensions / drill-holes before you submit it!

I'd had one PCB made previously, and it was a success, so I chose PCBWay again, based in China for my fabrication. I know they get mixed reviews on this forum, but they do offer cheap postage and 10 pieces of 100mmx100mm board for only $5. It was simple to get an account and to upload the Gerber files (in a zip) to them. There were lots of choices for holes/vias/silkscreens / soldermask etc - but I chose the most simple options, as I'm still fairly new to this. As always Customer Service was excellent - they quickly reviewed and approved my version 2.0 design. I'm based in the UK, and chose HK Post for my postal method (it was the cheapest, as I was in no hurry). The tracker let me keep up to date with how the fab process was going (took 2 days), and to see when it was put in the post.

I was again very pleased with the outcome. Great boards for me as a hobbyist.   

I noticed one design flaw (my mistake!) that I had planned for 4 pin Omrom tact switches, but I only had the 2-pin SPST in my drawers - so that's why the Arduino reset switch is a little offset. 

Below are some pictures of the board and it finally assembled. Happy to answer any questions from other hobbyist/makers so are looking to make their first ventures into PCB fab. I may ever be brave and try SMD next...

[ebastler]

Congratulations on your first PCB -- looks very nice!

As a general comment, there is probably a broad consensus on this forum that Eagle is not the CAD tool of choice for someone starting out in PCB design today. With Eagle's recent transition to a subscription-only license model, most amateurs feel that there is no attractive license option for them (beyond the severely limited free version). Also, Eagle's user interface is still as quirky as it always has been, and other free or low-budget tools have caught up significantly in their capabilities.

Personally, I still use Eagle -- learned how to drive it over the years, and my "eternal" 7.6 license does what I need for now. But I would recommend that, as a newcomer, you look into alternatives before you invest more time into Eagle. KiCAD and DipTrace seem to be the most popular free or low-cost alternatives; others here may have further recommendations.

[binaryfrost]

Thanks ebastler - downloading and installing KiCAD now to give it a try...

Does anyone know if it's easy to export Gerber files from it?

[ruairi]

Looks great!  I suggest "Dano" or "Danduino" as the name for the next revision.

[boffin]

it's totally satisfying when you get your boards, and well done on your 1st project.  I'm super fond of the attiny85, most of the times 5 IO pins is more than enough for what I'm trying to accomplish, and a single 8pin DIP with basically nothing else works well.  I'll also second the suggestion to get KiCAD, given where Eagle are going with their licensing.

[poorchava]

Eagle doesn't have a gright futuer IMO, as has already been said. KiCAD is quite capable, but also cumpersome to use and very "fragmented" so to speak.

Today, for a starter software I would recommend DipTrace. It is being actively developed by and independant company (take a look at version history to see how far they've come over last 4-5 years).
Easy to use schematic and PCB, extremly user-friendly library creator, quite active community and developers who actually respond to user questions.

It has most of the features you'd want from a mid-level PCB software: real-time DRC, complex design rule and class system, arbitrary key shortcut remapping, support for arbitrary board stackups, full 3D capability (including STEP export) and even a high-speed length-matching module (although I'm not sure how well it works, as I've never used those features).