Homebrew PCBs

I use AMP MTA connectors, But to do lots of them, you want either an air powered tool, or the pistol grip/head combo. The pieces themselves are economical.
I also use AMP flexstrip ribbons to connect a front panel, Available from 2 to 20 contacts in .1 or .05 spacing , but Mouser only lists up to 4 inches, (I only use 1) - that may not be long enough for you.  They also seem to be " luxury" priced for the convenience they offer It's cheaper to by 20's and split off the wires you need. 

Molex also offers bunches of solutions. 

www.mouser.com 
Search for AMP MTA and Molex K.K.


JT
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: tomg@... 
  To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 3:01 AM
  Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] pcb headers and sockets?


  If this is too far off-topic, let me know (and, if possible, point me 
  to a more-appropriate group).

  I am re-designing some pcbs, to make the equipment they're in easier 
  to manufacture, and service or upgrade.

  The pcbs currently have quite a few wires that are soldered directly 
  to them, that go to front-panel controls (and to other pcbs).

  The wires to all of the front-panel controls are also soldered 
  directly to the solder lugs of the controls (switches, pots, etc).

  To make manufacturing and service/maintenance/upgrading faster and 
  easier, I think that ALL of the wire connections to the pcbs should 
  use removable connectors, such as pin headers on the boards and crimp 
  sockets on the wires.  Also, where desirable and logical, I think 
  that sets of multiple individual wires should be replaced with ribbon 
  cables, with appropriate headers and sockets.

  To make this possible, I think that I will have to re-design the 
  front panel controls, to use a pcb behind the front panel, changing 
  all of the controls from solder-lug types to pcb-mount types. That 
  way, I can use headers, sockets, ribbon cables, etc, to connect the 
  existing pcbs to the front panel controls (via headers on the new 
  front-panel-interface pcb).

  Here's where I would like some help: 

  I am not very familiar with the vast majority of the myriad different 
  types of wire-to-board (and board-to-board) connector systems that 
  are available. There seem to be *zillions* of different ones. And the 
  catalogs, and even the manufacturers' websites, seem to assume that I 
  already know how they're assembled and installed, etc. But THAT'S 
  what I'm trying to find out, so I can decide which ones would be 
  convenient and cost-effective to put into the design.

  So: Does anybody have any "favorite" makes and models of wire-to-
  board (or board-to-board) connectors? (They need to be able to handle 
  at least 1.5 Amps and up to at least 15 V DC.  And they need to be 
  easy and cheap to assemble.) Or any least favorites?

  What I was also HOPING to find was someplace that sells ready-made 
  ribbon-cable types of assemblies, in short lengths (4 to 6 inches), 
  with versions having 2, 4, and 6 conductors, with connectors already 
  installed on both ends. I have looked long and hard and can only find 
  standard computer-type cables that are ready-made (i.e. either way 
  too many conductors, or way too long).

  Anybody?

  Regards,

  Tom Gootee

  http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg

  -----------------------------



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