anybody here uses Express PCB

[nero1985]

if so, wats the best way to start a layout? wat would u recomend for a beginer

[nero1985]

also, wats the actual sizes u use, like the space on the cap's leads and stuff like that

[sir_modulus]

I use 0.02" 1/4 watt resistors for everything. everything and anything (like for caps and resistors etc. For the rest, use a ruler for your favourite components (I use rather small caps for all the electro's so my values won't help). For the lines and pads for off board...tweak to your taste. For a beginner, I'd say start by smacking down the central components like the ic's or transistors etc.. then work around them, and never fear to move them. Once you've got a basic layout, try to optimize it (this is time consuming, and may mean even redoing it) to reduce the number of jumpers and the size of the layout. For a good exmaple of good work using express PCB, go see munky's site:

http://www.geocities.com/diygescorp/

Cheers,

Nish

P.S. On your site, for all your soundclips...what are you using for drums?

[nero1985]

hey, thanks, on this thing the closest i see are 0.25watt resistors with 0.35 space, is that the one?

[sir_modulus]

It's the smaller of the two...that's what I remember...I thought it was .02 for some reason.  :?

Be warned though. This method is not the greatest for printing PCB's...there are sizing problems to be worked around before printing.

Cheers,

Nish

[Marcos - Munky]

I use caps from 0.1 inch to 0.25 inch, eletrolytics from 0.079 inch to 0.1 inch, T1 led, 1N4148 diode for all the kinds of diodes, bourns series 3386H potentiometer for trimpots, resistors from 0.25 inch to 0.4 inch, to-92 semiconductor for transistors, 0.040" for board traces and 0.056" round pad with 0.029" hole for offboard wirings.

To start a layout, I do it in two ways. The first way is for simple schematics. I start from the input and go following the schematic. The other way is for IC based circuits. I draw the IC, then start to draw the layout around the IC. A suggestion: print the schematic and, in the same paper, start to draw the layout using a pencil or pen. When you draw a part of the schematic in the layout, make some kind of mark in the schematic, even in the traces/wires in the schematic. Start with a simple circuit, like Distortion+ or a LM386 based amp/distortion.

[Transmogrifox]

I keep a handful of components next to my computer.  When I'm not sure what size to use, I print the sheet and stick the components in the paper.  If they fit adequately, I use that size.  If not, I change the size until it fits well.  

I do use the .25 Watt resistor footprint.  It makes things neat.

If you want to go Vox V810 style, you can use a small capacitor footprint for your resistors and mount them all vertically.  It certainly saves lateral PCB area.

I usually use the .012 width trace for most interconnections, and a .025 width for ground and power traces. If there's room to spare, I make the ground and power traces as wide as possible.  You can also define a ground plane if you like, though it generally isn't necessary unless you're doing higher frequency...or experiencing instability problems, in which case you should back off on the beer and see if that helps  :wink:

[bwanasonic]

I keep a piece of perf and a ruler handy for testing part *footprints*. Keep in mind that it's very easy to create custom parts in expressPCB, so you are not stuck with the included library.

Kerry M

[Peter Snowberg]

I do the same sort of thing. My desk is littered with parts.

I also keep a dial caliper on hand at all times. That tool is essential!

When I do a proto PCB run at a board house with limited drill sizes (like ExpressPCB), I like to use up a little corner of the board with a test strip of each of the drill sizes and some example traces of different widths.

I recently saw a ruler that somebody made with a PCB.

[moosapotamus]

http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=33026

~ Charlie