Mail to Robert DeHate
<% Set MyPageCounter = Server.CreateObject("MSWC.PageCounter") MyPageCounter.PageHit %> This Web page has been viewed <%= MyPageCounter.Hits %> times.
This page contains instructions on assembling a
Roctronics unit from a home made board.
The biggest difference a home made
board has is that there are no plated thru holes so you have to insert a wire
and solder it to both sides of the board. And since there is a feed thru for each pin of the connector it takes a little
doing.
This is a work in progress and I will add to it as needed.
Creating the board:
I post a PDF file that has the traces for each design I have built and tested. Using this file you can create a board using the technique described here.
Assembly:
1)First install the board connectors. Here is a pic of the board and supplies
a. Install the female connector first. PIC
b. Solder down the hold downs while holding in place.
c. Touch the tab of the connector with the soldering iron for 1sec.
d. Feed in solder from the side till it just flows.
e. Keep the feed thru hole free of solder.
f. Use very little solder because you have to solder the wire on later. PIC
g. If you applied too much solder its OK . When done with one side just go back over with a solder sucker and remove the excess solder. Always be carefull of how much you heat the board. That is why I dont solder suck after soldering each pad. Once you have finished a side when you go back to the first pad it has cooled down.
h. The keys are to keep the iron free of solder with a wet paper towel. The solder should come from the spool, not the iron, since it has the flux to make a good contact. If it wont flow when you touch the solder too the joint then either it wasn’t hot enough or you had solder already on the iron, old solder wont flow well. Remember touch the solder to the metal of the parts as far away from the iron as possible, the irons heat draws the solder over.
i. The Male connector requires some modifications.
j. On the bottom there are two pegs. They are too long and not spaced correctly. Once the Female is mounted it is apparent what I mean. PIC
k. First using a sharp exacto (or your favorite method) trim the peg down to half its height.
l. Secondly you need to split the peg in half. Remove the inside half. PIC
m. This will allow the socket to set flat on the board.
n. Now that you have all the legs of the sockets tacked down its time to connect the two sides of the board
o. Take a piece of solid wire and strip off the insulation if it need be.
p. Feed this wire through a hole from the male side so its sticking out the female side.
q. Bend 1/16in at the endof the wire to 90deg. PIC
r. Pull this flat against the leg and solder in place. PIC
s. From the male side cut the wire so its sticking up 1/16in. PIC
t. Bend this down against the leg and solder in place. PIC, PIC
u. Repeat for all 16 legs.
2)Mount the other components. Look at the board and check the component layout to see what parts would be best to mount first. When mounting the descrete compontents it is easier if you have a spring loaded pair of tweesers. It is easier if you tin at least one of the pads. Then when you go to mount the part you just have to heat the pad and the part is held in place. Then go and solder the other end and come back and add solder to the first pad.
<% Set MyPageCounter = Server.CreateObject("MSWC.PageCounter") MyPageCounter.PageHit %> This Web page has been viewed <%= MyPageCounter.Hits %> times.