madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: culturejam on April 30, 2012, 06:32:17 PM

Title: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: culturejam on April 30, 2012, 06:32:17 PM
Googling isn't getting me anywhere.

What I want to do is put two simple circuits on one larger PCB, and then have a perforation down the middle so that the two circuits can be physically snapped apart. For larger runs, this would save paying two setup charges.

I've seen lots of boards done this way in other pedals and other types of electronics.

I just can't figure it out in Eagle. Well, I figure I could brute-force it and just specify a lot of small drill holes. But I'm thinking there is probably a more automated way in Eagle.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: jkokura on April 30, 2012, 06:42:28 PM
Try emailing the Catlainbread people. I think their DIY PCBs feature this. No idea if they use eagle though.

Jacob
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: culturejam on April 30, 2012, 07:14:49 PM
Yeah, their kits are part of what gave me the idea. That and the Klon.  ;D

I guess I could email Brian at C'Bread. Or maybe I'll join an Eagle forum and ask. But I'll be damned if I can find anything with a web search. I'm probably not using the right term.
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: derevaun on April 30, 2012, 08:20:10 PM
Here's a small but helpful discussion:

http://www.eaglecentral.ca/forums/index.php/mv/msg/38415/128386/

You might ask Laen how he does the Dorkbot panels. I always feel guilty about asking him about stuff, since that project seems like such a monstrous job nowadays. But he's a really nice dude.
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: irmcdermott on April 30, 2012, 08:21:20 PM
Quote from: derevaun on April 30, 2012, 08:20:10 PM
Here's a small but helpful discussion:

http://www.eaglecentral.ca/forums/index.php/mv/msg/38415/128386/

You might ask Laen how he does the Dorkbot panels. I always feel guilty about asking him about stuff, since that project seems like such a monstrous job nowadays. But he's a really nice dude.

+1 on asking Laen. I'm sure he could help you out, or point you to someone who could.
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: culturejam on April 30, 2012, 09:36:04 PM
Thanks for the tips! I'll keep poking around.
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: culturejam on April 30, 2012, 09:54:18 PM
After doing some reading, it seems the best way to tacking it is to ask the board  house how they prefer to handle it. So I've emailed them asking for specs on how to set it up.
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: culturejam on May 01, 2012, 02:51:34 PM
Got my answer from the board house (CustomPCB.com):

"Send it to us and we'll set it up."

;D
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: irmcdermott on May 01, 2012, 03:26:36 PM
Gotta love those kinds of answers :)
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: Jack Deville on May 02, 2012, 02:38:28 AM
Often times, it is just easier to allow the fab house to configure your array.
As always, there's a lot to consider when designing for an array format.
Maybe you remember derivatives/optimization theory from calculus?  You'll grow a new appreciation for these practices if so.

:)
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: culturejam on May 02, 2012, 04:18:04 AM
Damn, Jack. You are EVERYWHERE.  ;D

Quote from: Jack Deville on May 02, 2012, 02:38:28 AM
Maybe you remember derivatives/optimization theory from calculus? 

Took it twice. Didn't stick either time.  :D
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: Jack Deville on May 02, 2012, 04:41:15 AM
But it probably sucked hard!!

8)

I apply calculus in daily life.  My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy.
Title: Re: Making a perforation in Eagle?
Post by: culturejam on May 02, 2012, 04:56:31 AM
When I was 18 and taking calculus, it was the last thing I wanted to be doing. But now I think I would do really well. Of course, I was also taking it at an engineering school along side guys who actually were going to end up being engineers.

Fun story: a buddy of mine from high school went to college with me (NC State), and we both took "Calc 1" together. At the end of the year he went back home and went to UNCW. He took their Calc 1 and 2 there, and he told me that they spread out the same material we had in one semester at NCSU into two semesters at UNCW.

Not trying to make excuses years later, but as a kid with math troubles to begin with, I had no business in that damn class. Either time. ;D