[dorkbotpdx-blabber] Re: accellerometers!

[dave madden]

>>>>> "MH" ==  Mykle Hansen <mykle at mykle.com>

    MH> although that's with a pre-tinned circuit board -- one of the
    MH> many kinds of circuit board that i don't know how to make.

    MH> but if/when i get to the point of designing a PCB ... i guess
    MH> i need to learn more about my options.  can i get PCBs made
    MH> with pre-tinned leads for a QFN chip?  or should i start
    MH> looking for a different package now?

I haven't ever had any luck with the iron-on or Sharpie-pen PCB
etching kits, and I no longer have the time or inclination to drill a
bazillion little holes for parts (although SMD helps out on that
score!)  But I should put in a plug for BatchPCB, SparkFun's service
that produces really nice dual-sided, plated-thru, tinned boards with
silk and soldermask.  The turnaround is long (several weeks) but the
price is right: $2.50/sq in.  On my last few orders, I've gotten twice
as many boards as I've ordered (i.e., two copies of each board, or
four copies when I've ordered two, etc.)

No connection, just a satisfied customer.

BTW, I used a nice infrared rework station at work to stuff my first
SMD project.  Much better results for me than doing it by hand.  I'm
thinking about building a similar station, since the hot-plate-reflow
technique doesn't work very well for double-sided boards.  I figure I
can use a heating element from an electric stove for the bottom
heater, but I still have to find a lens and high-intensity IR light
for the top...

d.