madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: Govmnt_Lacky on June 10, 2014, 02:05:30 AM

Title: ExpressPCB component library HELP!!
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on June 10, 2014, 02:05:30 AM
I have a special kinship with ExpressPCB in that.... it is the only layout program I know and am comfortable with  :-\

I am planning to learn DipTrace BUT.... in the mean time I want to get some PCBs done.

Does anyone have a good library for ExpressPCB that will share it with me? I had someone send me one long ago and sadly, it is gone  :-X

I especially need ALPHA Rotary Switches. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!  ;)
Title: Re: ExpressPCB component library HELP!!
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on June 10, 2014, 12:51:49 PM
Bumping this for visibility.

Does anyone have a good library they can share?  ;D
Title: Re: ExpressPCB component library HELP!!
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on June 17, 2014, 01:43:09 PM
OK...

I located my old library BUT.....

I still need to get a good component file for an Alpha 3P4T rotary. I tried to make one but... failed miserably  :-X

Any help with this 1 component is greatly appreciated!!!  ;D
Title: Re: ExpressPCB component library HELP!!
Post by: davent on June 18, 2014, 12:18:28 AM
Gave it a shot in between tornado warnings. I've used ExpressPCB for years but it really sucks as a CAD drawing program. Used a real CAD program to draw a polar grid, opened ExpressPCB overtop, used Glass2k to make ExpressPCB transparent and fit the parts to the CAD grid.

What i've got hasn't been verified with a pcb but... a printout on styrofoam gets good alignment with a Chinese clone 3P4T.

Middle two rings are left over layout drawing guides, erasable. Outer pads #'d 1-12, ExpressPCB pads have to use number ID so A/B/C are #'s 101/102/103...whatever suits.

Pad size- 100/20... again not sure what would work best for your needs.





Tried attaching the ExpressPCB .pcb file (rather then just a component file) so you can snag the component from that and save it, test it out, alter it to better suit your needs. Pad layout looks good as best i can check it but i'll leave it to you to verify... a jumping off point at least. (My concern is pad numbering.)

If .pcb files won't attach we can fix things up outside.
OK won't attach what's the best way to get this out there?
Tried a zip...
Take care!
dave

Title: Re: ExpressPCB component library HELP!!
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on June 18, 2014, 11:24:25 AM
Thanks Dave!!  ;D

Ill give it a look over and see how it works  8)

EDIT: @ Dave

According to the info I found, the outer ring of pins are in a 22.2mm diameter circle and the inner pins are at 7.7mm diameter. Is this what you based your component on?
Title: Re: ExpressPCB component library HELP!!
Post by: davent on June 18, 2014, 02:41:43 PM
I'd found a Lorlin datasheet that had the inner ring at 7.7 mm but no outer ring dimension. Measured the outer ring (of the switch and a PLL board) with a dial caliper (from the centers of the pin/hole) and settled on .856" (21.74mm). Measuring the spread on the outside of the pins reads .88 -.89"/ 22.35 - 22.6mm. Pins ~ .022".

Title: Re: ExpressPCB component library HELP!!
Post by: alanp on June 18, 2014, 05:01:14 PM
Easiest way to check akkurase is to print the board out at 1:1 scale, and jam parts into the paper.