Homebrew PCBs

I'm sure this is a fairly basic question, but I was given a PCB layout 
to etch that is about 3" tall and 4.25" wide.  I've just found out that 
I need the PCB to fit into a 4" x 4" space.  I've been looking at the 
layout to see if there is any "empty" space I can get rid of, but I'm 
having a hard time.  I've found the schematic online and might try to 
make a new layout from that.
Anyone else have any similar experiences?  This is the first time I've 
had to do this, so I was wondering what the best way to approach this 
would be.
Thanks in advance.

Hi Steven.

You say the original is 3 by 4.25 or 12.75 square inches. The new is 4 
by 4 or 16 square inches....more space. What is the problem?

OK, assuming that you typed in the wrong information and you do actually 
have less space, you could (as already stated) look for space savings in 
the obvious ways. You could also look to see if some components could be 
reduced in size (smaller package formats are available for many ICs and 
the like). You could also see if space could be saved by mounting 
resistors vertically. Without seeing the current design, it is a bit 
hard to be more definitive.

Which PCB design package do you use?

Regards,

Ross McKenzie
ValuSoft
Melbourne Australia


Steven wrote:

> I'm sure this is a fairly basic question, but I was given a PCB layout
> to etch that is about 3" tall and 4.25" wide. I've just found out that
> I need the PCB to fit into a 4" x 4" space. I've been looking at the
> layout to see if there is any "empty" space I can get rid of, but I'm
> having a hard time. I've found the schematic online and might try to
> make a new layout from that.
> Anyone else have any similar experiences? This is the first time I've
> had to do this, so I was wondering what the best way to approach this
> would be.
> Thanks in advance.
>
>

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Steven" <iwasalreadythere@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 1:33 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Resizing a PCB?


> I'm sure this is a fairly basic question, but I was given a PCB layout 
> to etch that is about 3" tall and 4.25" wide.  I've just found out that 
> I need the PCB to fit into a 4" x 4" space.  I've been looking at the 
> layout to see if there is any "empty" space I can get rid of, but I'm 
> having a hard time.  I've found the schematic online and might try to 
> make a new layout from that.
> Anyone else have any similar experiences?  This is the first time I've 
> had to do this, so I was wondering what the best way to approach this 
> would be.

Just do a new layout. It should be quite easy as the area is greater.

Leon
--
Leon Heller
Amateur radio call-sign G1HSM
Yaesu FT-817ND and FT-857D transceivers
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
leon355@...
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller

> iwasalreadythere wrote:
>
> I'm sure this is a fairly basic question, but
> I was given a PCB layout to etch that is about
> 3" tall and 4.25" wide.  I've just found out 
> that I need the PCB to fit into a 4" x 4"
> space.
> <SNIP>

4.25" / 4" = about 7% smaller.

As long as there are no quad sided surface mount
ICs and that any DIP ICs run perpendicular to
the long edge - then just scale the current PCB
to 3" x 4"

All 2 legged components wont care about the pads
being 7% closer together.  DIP ICs wont care
about the sides being 7% closer. (7% shorted
between pins will add up thought so if they run
that way you will have to redraw it.)