EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Electronics => Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff => Topic started by: Srijal97 on January 27, 2019, 07:04:56 am
-
Hello all,
I'm working on creating really tiny PCBs (11x10mm) and I wanted SMD pins on the edges of the PCB like the ESP-12 module has. How does one go about designing a PCB like that in the design software(I use EAGLE), and how exactly do you place the order for such PCBs? From what I've read, you have to create a PCB panel and then break them once is manufactured, but how do you add the break marks, plated holes and copper pads on the edges in the design software and instruct the manufacturer what I expect?
I've attached a sketch I made showing what I wanted to do. Thank you for your time!
-
If its like in my avatar, you just create the wholes(must be plated) then you solder pins manually. It can be done by the manufacturer, but I don't know if they offer it everywhere.
-
They are called castellations, and the sides are plated. generally the areas with castellations are fully routed for the plating process. but in this case the best answer will come from the manufacturer.
-
The proper term is "castellated holes".
Some PCB manufacturers offer the feature, but you can also "DIY" after they are made.
My impression is that the extra cost may be prohibitive for small hobby quantities(?)
https://prototypepcb.com/castellated-holes/
(https://prototypepcb.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/castellated-type1.png)
-
From what I've read, you have to create a PCB panel and then break them once is manufactured, but how do you add the break marks, plated holes and copper pads on the edges in the design software and instruct the manufacturer what I expect?
I've attached a sketch I made showing what I wanted to do. Thank you for your time!
What you call break marks are V-score lines. Usually you need to draw them as lines in board outline layer.
Castellated holes can be done either with milling or with V-scoring as shown in your sketch. Ask your manufacturer what is prefered method is.
Plated holes and copper pads are just basic THT pads, nothing special. You may add a via in this pad to increase mechanical stability.
-
Yes, thank you! These are exactly what I wanted. I'll contact some manufacturers and inquire about the cost and how it could be done...if it gets expensive, I think I can work around a normal board.
-
Quick tip:
If you design your own panel, you can make sure to specify the routing outline.
So if you make a seperate layer for the milling of the outline, you make it go through the holes.
You will get DRC failures because the spacing will not be met, but the milling layer in gerbers is mostly arbitrary, so the gerber processing person normally should know what to do.
You can always add extra text to your gerbers, specifying what you want / need on the milling layer.