Received an email reply.
They say they can help, but need further instructions as to what I/we need them to do.
I presume machine the board and solder in the major components as a minimum. As some of those ribbon connections look tricky to solder on the very narrow tracks?
PCB train will require PCB design files (typically Extended GERBER files), which means someone has to produce the circuit diagram and PCB layout first. They will then manufacture the PCB's using these design files. AFAIK, they won't do the design work for you - they just manufacture the PCB's and (optionally) assemble them for you. If you get them to assemble the boards they will supply some resistors and capacitors, but you will have to buy and free issue them all the connectors and other components - semiconductors, relays etc. They won't (AFAIK) actually test anything - that's your job - you designed it, you make it work
Proper PCB's aren't 'machined'. At it's simplest they are done by taking fibreglass panels which are laminated on both sides with a thin layer of copper. The copper is then covered in a layer of photosensitive dye, and a laser is then used to 'draw' the desired layout pattern onto the photodye. Then the sheet goes into a photo developer liquid which removes the dye that hasn't been exposed by the laser. Next the sheet goes into a vat of acid which dissolves the exposed copper, but leaves the copper still covered by the exposed dye behind. This is called 'etching' - but it's a chemical etching not a mechanical one. Once etching is complete the board is washed to remove the remaining dye, and the holes are drilled. If it's a double sided/multilayer board, the inside of the holes is coated with a thin layer of carbon/graphite, and then electro plating is used to coat the inside of all the holes with metal, thus connecting tracks/pads on opposite sides of the board. The final stages are to plate the whole board with something that doesn't corrode (silver or gold typically), paint on a solder resist covering of all the tracks (leaving the pads exposed) and painting on a slik screen for component outlines and part numbers.
The PCB's I saw on one of the web pages did look 'machined' though. This suggests they were home made by someone with an X-Y micro milling machine (like a glorified dremmel). That's fine for cheap prototypes and one offs, but no-one in their right minds would do more than a couple of boards like that.
I do have the tools and tecnology to do the design - but sadly I don't have a CID in my car, and as someone else says I'm reluctant to rip-off someone elses design without their permission. It's really not fair.
I would also be really, really reluctant to supply anything except assembled units. Those connectors ARE beyond the capabilities of all but the most expert of home enthusiasts to solder down without lifting pads or causing shorts. It's just not worth the aggro.
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Topic: CID in "full" use (Read 41095 times)