Homebrew PCBs

sounds reasonable.  I'm looking right now at an LCD display that has 
the wires inserted through the holes.  This makes a good mechanical 
connection.

I can proto with what you are suggesting.  But I have an eye towards 
building a number of them - 50-100 initially - so I need to 
understand how it would get done in a manufacturing environment. 
mechanical strength is important and maybe epoxy or some such 
adhesive would work but I'd really prefer to avoid that step.

By the way, Eagle's DRC really doesn't like putting pads next to 
board edges.  I'm ignoring it for now but will have to figure that 
out.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Stefan Trethan 
<stefan_trethan@g...> wrote:
> I have soldered the wires directly to "strips" of copper.
> (like a edge connector)
> Holes would be tiny, or offset, and the wire is not solid and hard 
to 
> insert.
> 
> The strip pads are possible with a small enough pitch (same as 
cable)
> 
> You should add some mech. restraint, maybe glue.
> 
> worked fine for me.
> 
> ST
> 
> On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 23:01:08 -0000, Phil <phil1960us@y...> wrote:
> 
> > I've seen this done and was wondering if anyone has some words of
> > wisdom as to how to do it.  Basically, I want to attach a ribbon
> > cable directly to a PCB.  The non-PCB end will use an IDC 
connector
> > but I can't afford the size of header pins on the PCB.  I've seen
> > several LCDs that have 50 mil spacing hole/pads.  The insulation 
was
> > stripped of the ribbon cable, the wires inserted in the holes and
> > soldered.  The solder is about 1 mm high.  I need 2-3 mm 
clearance so
> > that works for me.  Clearance on the bottom is a little less a
> > problem but even SMT connectors are too big.
> >
> > Are there special tools for this?  It sure looks tricky to do.  
What
> > size holes/pads?
> >
> > Phil
> >
> >
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and 
files:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >