Small batch SMT tools?

[Don Y]

I've a colleague who has offered to "build" the first batch of
boards for my alpha site -- about 1000 pieces (though small;
about 3 sq in each; 25 different designs).

I feel like I'd be pushing my luck to ask him to also build the
prototypes -- about 50 total pieces.

I have an opportunity to rescue some kit, this weekend (PnP,
stenciler, hotplate, another Leister, etc.) if I opt to do the
prototypes myself.

But, I suspect this will be more work than it is worth. (I've never
assembled boards this small and densely packed). And, is more "stuff"
to store, here.

[OTOH, if I have to do any rework...]

Perhaps I should "ask nicely" and promise him some baked goods or
ice cream as an incentive? Pizzas for the folks on the 'line?

[Phil Hobbs]

Post by Don Y
I've a colleague who has offered to "build" the first batch of
boards for my alpha site -- about 1000 pieces (though small;
about 3 sq in each; 25 different designs).
I feel like I'd be pushing my luck to ask him to also build the
prototypes -- about 50 total pieces.
I have an opportunity to rescue some kit, this weekend (PnP,
stenciler, hotplate, another Leister, etc.) if I opt to do the
prototypes myself.
But, I suspect this will be more work than it is worth. (I've never
assembled boards this small and densely packed). And, is more "stuff"
to store, here.
[OTOH, if I have to do any rework...]
Perhaps I should "ask nicely" and promise him some baked goods or
ice cream as an incentive? Pizzas for the folks on the 'line?

Board stuffing has got so cheap that we don’t even stuff protos.

JLCPCB is the bomb, apart from the occasional rotated QFN.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

[john larkin]

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 10:23:03 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by Don Y
I've a colleague who has offered to "build" the first batch of
boards for my alpha site -- about 1000 pieces (though small;
about 3 sq in each; 25 different designs).
I feel like I'd be pushing my luck to ask him to also build the
prototypes -- about 50 total pieces.
I have an opportunity to rescue some kit, this weekend (PnP,
stenciler, hotplate, another Leister, etc.) if I opt to do the
prototypes myself.
But, I suspect this will be more work than it is worth. (I've never
assembled boards this small and densely packed). And, is more "stuff"
to store, here.
[OTOH, if I have to do any rework...]
Perhaps I should "ask nicely" and promise him some baked goods or
ice cream as an incentive? Pizzas for the folks on the 'line?

Board stuffing has got so cheap that we don’t even stuff protos.
JLCPCB is the bomb, apart from the occasional rotated QFN.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

[Ian]

Post by john larkin
It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

Challenge accepted :)

[john larkin]

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 17:07:08 -0000 (UTC), Ian

Post by Ian

Post by john larkin
It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

Challenge accepted :)

And they used the tube convention of counting pins counter-clockwise,
which actually doesn't make much sense for ICs.

[Phil Hobbs]

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 17:07:08 -0000 (UTC), Ian

Post by Ian

Post by john larkin
It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

Challenge accepted :)

And they used the tube convention of counting pins counter-clockwise,
which actually doesn't make much sense for ICs.

They’re clockwise looking at the bottom, proving once again that dead bug
is the One True Prototyping Style. ;)

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

[john larkin]

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 17:07:08 -0000 (UTC), Ian

Post by Ian

Post by john larkin
It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

Challenge accepted :)

And they used the tube convention of counting pins counter-clockwise,
which actually doesn't make much sense for ICs.

They’re clockwise looking at the bottom, proving once again that dead bug
is the One True Prototyping Style. ;)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

Cruelty to invertibrates. You should be ashamed.

If you solder a surfmount part to an adapter, do you mount all that
upside down?

Loading Image...

Loading Image...

[Phil Hobbs]

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 17:07:08 -0000 (UTC), Ian

Post by Ian

Post by john larkin
It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

Challenge accepted :)

And they used the tube convention of counting pins counter-clockwise,
which actually doesn't make much sense for ICs.

They’re clockwise looking at the bottom, proving once again that dead bug
is the One True Prototyping Style. ;)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

Cruelty to invertibrates. You should be ashamed.
If you solder a surfmount part to an adapter, do you mount all that
upside down?
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6pfssxz68ay8t64yh6xag/Z356_SN2.JPG?rlkey=o89t5tjsxh31264zbsirjin47&raw=1
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ydvcds95zvzjq56bzeimr/Z412_Proto.JPG?rlkey=hyejukxbbnk3573engf0if4zt&raw=1

I should try that. ;)

I use SOT and SOIC packages upside down, but they’re fiddlier than DIPs and
TO92s.

Fortunately I invested in a lot of those a few years ago, when the Great
TO92 Purge started. I should be good for the next century or so. ;)

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

[john larkin]

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 22:33:05 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 17:07:08 -0000 (UTC), Ian

Post by Ian

Post by john larkin
It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

Challenge accepted :)

And they used the tube convention of counting pins counter-clockwise,
which actually doesn't make much sense for ICs.

They?re clockwise looking at the bottom, proving once again that dead bug
is the One True Prototyping Style. ;)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

Cruelty to invertibrates. You should be ashamed.
If you solder a surfmount part to an adapter, do you mount all that
upside down?
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6pfssxz68ay8t64yh6xag/Z356_SN2.JPG?rlkey=o89t5tjsxh31264zbsirjin47&raw=1
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ydvcds95zvzjq56bzeimr/Z412_Proto.JPG?rlkey=hyejukxbbnk3573engf0if4zt&raw=1

I should try that. ;)
I use SOT and SOIC packages upside down, but they’re fiddlier than DIPs and
TO92s.
Fortunately I invested in a lot of those a few years ago, when the Great
TO92 Purge started. I should be good for the next century or so. ;)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

I suppose your Mo bakes upside-down cake.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upside-down_cake

[Phil Hobbs]

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 22:33:05 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 17:07:08 -0000 (UTC), Ian

Post by Ian

Post by john larkin
It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

Challenge accepted :)

And they used the tube convention of counting pins counter-clockwise,
which actually doesn't make much sense for ICs.

They?re clockwise looking at the bottom, proving once again that dead bug
is the One True Prototyping Style. ;)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

Cruelty to invertibrates. You should be ashamed.
If you solder a surfmount part to an adapter, do you mount all that
upside down?
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6pfssxz68ay8t64yh6xag/Z356_SN2.JPG?rlkey=o89t5tjsxh31264zbsirjin47&raw=1
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ydvcds95zvzjq56bzeimr/Z412_Proto.JPG?rlkey=hyejukxbbnk3573engf0if4zt&raw=1

I should try that. ;)
I use SOT and SOIC packages upside down, but they’re fiddlier than DIPs and
TO92s.
Fortunately I invested in a lot of those a few years ago, when the Great
TO92 Purge started. I should be good for the next century or so. ;)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

I suppose your Mo bakes upside-down cake.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upside-down_cake

Fortunately not. ;)

Neither of us are real cake people— give me a nice peach & ginger or
strawberry rhubarb pie anytime. Soft gingerbread with applesauce and
custard is another fave. (Real custard with real vanilla!)

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

[john larkin]

On Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:30:09 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 22:33:05 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 17:07:08 -0000 (UTC), Ian

Post by Ian

Post by john larkin
It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

Challenge accepted :)

And they used the tube convention of counting pins counter-clockwise,
which actually doesn't make much sense for ICs.

They?re clockwise looking at the bottom, proving once again that dead bug
is the One True Prototyping Style. ;)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

Cruelty to invertibrates. You should be ashamed.
If you solder a surfmount part to an adapter, do you mount all that
upside down?
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6pfssxz68ay8t64yh6xag/Z356_SN2.JPG?rlkey=o89t5tjsxh31264zbsirjin47&raw=1
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ydvcds95zvzjq56bzeimr/Z412_Proto.JPG?rlkey=hyejukxbbnk3573engf0if4zt&raw=1

I should try that. ;)
I use SOT and SOIC packages upside down, but they?re fiddlier than DIPs and
TO92s.
Fortunately I invested in a lot of those a few years ago, when the Great
TO92 Purge started. I should be good for the next century or so. ;)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

I suppose your Mo bakes upside-down cake.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upside-down_cake

Fortunately not. ;)
Neither of us are real cake people— give me a nice peach & ginger or
strawberry rhubarb pie anytime. Soft gingerbread with applesauce and
custard is another fave. (Real custard with real vanilla!)
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

Did you ever had my bread pudding? It's basically custard with some
bits of bread and fruit floating on top.

Loading Image...

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/90zakya81lewtaubj38yu/CBP.txt?rlkey=fiy3vri4orbtzkcoa13il4t3l&raw=1

Have you tried Guinness Cake?

Loading Image...&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nigella.com%2Frecipes%2Fchocolate-guinness-cake&docid=y9VBcVkzVB-GiM&tbnid=Iu9-en5u2FD7qM&vet=12ahUKEwj66tKAqZWIAxXrFDQIHVwXFuMQM3oECBUQAA..i&w=600&h=543&hcb=2&ved=2ahUKEwj66tKAqZWIAxXrFDQIHVwXFuMQM3oECBUQAA

[Edward Rawde]

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 10:23:03 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by Don Y
I've a colleague who has offered to "build" the first batch of
boards for my alpha site -- about 1000 pieces (though small;
about 3 sq in each; 25 different designs).
I feel like I'd be pushing my luck to ask him to also build the
prototypes -- about 50 total pieces.
I have an opportunity to rescue some kit, this weekend (PnP,
stenciler, hotplate, another Leister, etc.) if I opt to do the
prototypes myself.
But, I suspect this will be more work than it is worth. (I've never
assembled boards this small and densely packed). And, is more "stuff"
to store, here.
[OTOH, if I have to do any rework...]
Perhaps I should "ask nicely" and promise him some baked goods or
ice cream as an incentive? Pizzas for the folks on the 'line?

Board stuffing has got so cheap that we don't even stuff protos.
JLCPCB is the bomb, apart from the occasional rotated QFN.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

But you could plug the wrong tube in :)

[john larkin]

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 13:57:05 -0400, "Edward Rawde"

Post by Edward Rawde

Post by john larkin
On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 10:23:03 -0000 (UTC), Phil Hobbs

Post by Don Y
I've a colleague who has offered to "build" the first batch of
boards for my alpha site -- about 1000 pieces (though small;
about 3 sq in each; 25 different designs).
I feel like I'd be pushing my luck to ask him to also build the
prototypes -- about 50 total pieces.
I have an opportunity to rescue some kit, this weekend (PnP,
stenciler, hotplate, another Leister, etc.) if I opt to do the
prototypes myself.
But, I suspect this will be more work than it is worth. (I've never
assembled boards this small and densely packed). And, is more "stuff"
to store, here.
[OTOH, if I have to do any rework...]
Perhaps I should "ask nicely" and promise him some baked goods or
ice cream as an incentive? Pizzas for the folks on the 'line?

Board stuffing has got so cheap that we don't even stuff protos.
JLCPCB is the bomb, apart from the occasional rotated QFN.
Cheers
Phil Hobbs

It's crazy that, starting from the earliest days of ICs, you can make
a mistake by rotating a part. You couldn't plug in a tube wrong.

But you could plug the wrong tube in :)

Oh, don't get technical. I hate it when people get technical.