Homebrew PCBs

Stefan Trethan wrote:

>On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 03:17:32 +0100, Alan King <alan@...> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>>Additionally I have found that double sided smt is easier to design
>>>that double sided through hole as you are not forever dodging pads.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>>      
>>>
>
>
>What i like to do is single sided mixed population.
>I put connectors and some ICs on top, and passives, transistors, and some  
>small ICs on the bottom.
>This can result in a very tight design, with no vias. I don't think SMD  
>only single sided can be made that small.
>
>Also, i want to have connectors and stuff with leads, so they are well  
>secured to the board.
>
>  
>

   Eagle also has some DB style connector layouts that are for board 
edges, with board fitting between the two pin rows on the back of the 
connector, 1/2 pins on top and 1/2 pins on bottom.  Is a very good, 
secure method still with no holes, and you can do similar with 2 row pin 
headers etc sticking out from edge.  Between that, top mounting dip 
style chips, and wrapping traces over the edges, I hardly ever drill a 
hole in anything now, no pins as well as vias.  Just so much easier to 
not have to get out the drill and have dust, even with CNC..  Even when 
I have boards made now, I'm starting to top mount the DIPs and do edge 
type connectors, it just makes things a bit easier.

Alan