Mark,

 I understand what you say, and I don't have any arguments with it.
 It makes a lot of sense, and I've been there..done that too.

 but.....
 I too build many prototypes,  and test fixtures and setups, but I
 build mine the way the finished product is going to be built.  This
 is done for two reasons.   One, this way, we can test the system and
 be reasonably sure that the production systems will act the same as
 the prototype functionally and electrically.   Second, this way, we
 have the board layout done and can perfect it at the same time.

 Now, before I get a thousand people asking "How can you be sure
 which variable is causing a problem, (if indeed there is one),
 and/or which one should you (or do you need to) tweak to fix or
 improve it?"

 It's not that difficult really.  Because most of the new systems
 that I prototype are really variations on older systems that have
 been proven already.   And these systems have been characterized to
 the point, that we know just about what will happen in any
 contingency.    SO, using this information, and with the deductive
 reasoning available here, we can pretty much tell which is which.
 Granted, this isn't always the case, but 99 time out of a hundred,
 this is the case.

 Anyway, just to let you know, I usually build mine SMD right out of
 the gate for the reasons just stated.  It saves me a step in the
 long run.   Of course, if you're designing systems that are totally
 and completely new, then your route would probably be the best way
 to go.

                                            Regards,

                                              Jim



On Tue, 29 May 2001, Mark Newland wrote:

>
> There is good and bad to SMD.  Everything you stated below is true and I also
> urge others to do at least SOME smd.  For one main reason, some parts you can
> only get in SMD.
>
> On the other hand, when doing a prototype (and I do alot of them as part of my
> job), we usually will do the first one useing though hole parts.  We don't even
> try to put 5 gallons of parts on a 4 gallon board.  We have no problem useing a
> 15 gallon board if needed. The use of sockets for the IC's is also nice so we
> can replace that IC we keep blowing up 28 times while testing.  After the design
> has been tested, THEN we put it all onto the 1/2 gallon board.
>
> James Paul wrote:
>
> >  All,
> >
> >  Working with SMD devices really isn't all that difficult.  And I
> >  would urge anyone who isn't working with SMD now to at least give
> >  it a try.   The parts are about the same or less cost than the thru
> >  hole counterparts, SMD can really save space, even the PCB layout is
> >  generally simpler (at least in my experience) because there are fewer
> >  thru holes and vias to be concerned with.  All in all, SMD has a lot
> >  to offer the hobbiest.  After all, commercial interests wouldn't use
> >  it if it wasn't less expensive or offer something that the older
> >  technologies didn't offer.
> >
> >  And yes, I know the commercial interests have all the equipment to
> >  make SMD work as easy as pie, but that doesn't mean that a hobbiest
> >  can't take advantage of the technology just because he (she) hasn't
> >  got the specialized equipment to do it on a full scale.
> >
> >  All I'm saying is I believe you are causing unecessary work for
> >  yourself sometimes if you don't use SMD technology.  To be fair
> >  though, if you don't mind working with thru hole stuff, and you
> >  always have enough room to put your parts on a board even though the
> >  size of the board has to be withing such and such limits, by all
> >  means use thru hole.   But if you're like me, and have to put 5
> >  gallons of parts on a 4 gallon board, give SMD a try.
> >
> >  If you do, I'll bet you'll wonder why you didn't try it before.
> >
> >  Just my 2 cents worth.   I'm done now.
> >
> >                                               Regards,
> >
> >                                                 Jim
> >
> > On Tue, 29 May 2001, wouter van ooijen & floortje hanneman wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > > You haven't ever heard of OTP and SMD Pics? Lucky I have. ;-)
> > >
> > > Yes, but I am a hobbyist with typical hybbist level tools (mainly
> > > protoboards), so I use no SMD. For the JW's ICSP has no advantage (for me)
> > > and I don't do large series, so for the occasional OTP I use the PicStart.
> > >
> > > Wouter
> > >
> > > --
> > > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
> > > ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.
> >
> > jim@jpes.com
> >
> > --
> > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
> > ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
> ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

jim@jpes.com

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