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how to surface mount PCB

P

panfilero

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,

I need to create a PCB layout for a surface mount design and was
wondering if someone could point me in the right direction for getting
started.... I've never worked with surface mount anything before. My
only experience with laying out a PCB is using expressPCB software a
while back and their 3 boards for 59 bucks option. But these were
for regular DIP components. Now I have two wireless (Tx and Rx)
surface mount chips I need to create a PCB for and am not sure where
to begin... I think wireless chips may take extra steps too.... like a
large ground plane or something? I have available to me a copy of
ALTIUM, I haven't used this yet and am not sure if it's too advanced
for a simple PCB.... (learning curve too big)....

Thanks
Joshua
 
E

Eeyore

Jan 1, 1970
0
panfilero said:
Hello,

I need to create a PCB layout for a surface mount design and was
wondering if someone could point me in the right direction for getting
started.... I've never worked with surface mount anything before. My
only experience with laying out a PCB is using expressPCB software a
while back and their 3 boards for 59 bucks option. But these were
for regular DIP components.

Their software does SMT too.

Graham
 
J

John Larkin

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,

I need to create a PCB layout for a surface mount design and was
wondering if someone could point me in the right direction for getting
started.... I've never worked with surface mount anything before. My
only experience with laying out a PCB is using expressPCB software a
while back and their 3 boards for 59 bucks option. But these were
for regular DIP components. Now I have two wireless (Tx and Rx)
surface mount chips I need to create a PCB for and am not sure where
to begin... I think wireless chips may take extra steps too.... like a
large ground plane or something? I have available to me a copy of
ALTIUM, I haven't used this yet and am not sure if it's too advanced
for a simple PCB.... (learning curve too big)....

Thanks
Joshua

Surface mount is simple; just do it. The RF stuff is trickier. A solid
ground plane on one layer is a good idea.

John
 
F

Frithiof Andreas Jensen

Jan 1, 1970
0
panfilero said:
Hello,

I need to create a PCB layout for a surface mount design and was
wondering if someone could point me in the right direction for getting
started.... I've never worked with surface mount anything before.

What for? If it's for your own use I would say: go fer it. It's easy enough.
If it's for manufacture there is a bunch of things you just *have to know*
about how the board will be processed "downstream" in order to get a working
layout.
 
M

MooseFET

Jan 1, 1970
0
Their software does SMT too.

Yes, I just did one. The parts are one order and soon it will be
stuffed.

Pay the extra for the solder mask, it is worth it.

Place the parts on the 0.05 inch grid because the routing works out
better.

Keep the parts away from the mounting holes.
 
B

Brendan Gillatt

Jan 1, 1970
0
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Hash: SHA1
I have available to me a copy of
ALTIUM, I haven't used this yet and am not sure if it's too advanced
for a simple PCB.... (learning curve too big)....

Altium is a piece of cake if you just follow the PDF and video
instructions on their website.

My first board I have ever made was done with surface mount on Altium and
turned out perfect.

I recommend BatchPCB as a PCB fabricator - their prices are excellent.
- --
Brendan Gillatt | GPG Key: 0xBF6A0D94
brendan {a} brendangillatt (dot) co (dot) uk
http://www.brendangillatt.co.uk
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