Homebrew_PCBs

Hi Gang,
I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding copper
as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way to
keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the other
side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with a
single sided boards.
Regards

John

Hi John,
In PC logic's Circuit Layout you can draw a square or rectangle and fill it
with a cross hatch.
So you just draw your normal board then fill in the areas you want with the
cross hatch. Time consuming not automatic but at least you can do it.
Derek

-----Original Message-----
From: crankorgan


Hi Gang,
I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding copper
as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way to
keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the other
side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with a
single sided boards.
Regards

John

Hi Derek,
I got a real shock with this! I was milling circuit
boards and selling them. I decided to have a circuit board
house make the boards. Besides none of them answering my Emails,
I realized I used the copper left around the traces for the
ground. This is the same method I used years ago when I used to
draw my traces on the board. I learned the more copper I left on
the board the better the acid would work. Now this looks like my
method has come back to bit me in the butt!

John

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "High Tech" <hightechsystems@a...> wrote:
> Hi John,
> In PC logic's Circuit Layout you can draw a square or rectangle and
fill it
> with a cross hatch.
> So you just draw your normal board then fill in the areas you want
with the
> cross hatch. Time consuming not automatic but at least you can do
it.
> Derek
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: crankorgan
>
>
> Hi Gang,
> I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
> on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding copper
> as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way to
> keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the other
> side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with a
> single sided boards.
> Regards
>
> John

John,
With EAGLE I add a polygon and it fills all available space. The next
step is to give the polygon a NET name, and naming it GND will connect
it to Ground... ( I assume your are using GND as the ground net of
course)
This is what the end result looks like http://hans-w.com/rpm_pcb.jpg
Hans W

crankorgan wrote:

> Hi Gang,
> I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
> on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding copper
> as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way to
> keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the other
> side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with a
> single sided boards.
> Regards
>
> John
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

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>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

John,
I could see the shock. The board house should have caught that with drill
holes in the middle of nothing. Go figure.
It's nice to have a large copper surface for heat dissipation.
See if you had let me make your boards you wouldn't have had that problem:)
I always talk to my customers.
Derek

-----Original Message-----
From: crankorgan


Hi Derek,
I got a real shock with this! I was milling circuit
boards and selling them. I decided to have a circuit board
house make the boards. Besides none of them answering my Emails,
I realized I used the copper left around the traces for the
ground. This is the same method I used years ago when I used to
draw my traces on the board. I learned the more copper I left on
the board the better the acid would work. Now this looks like my
method has come back to bit me in the butt!

John

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "High Tech" <hightechsystems@a...> wrote:
> Hi John,
> In PC logic's Circuit Layout you can draw a square or rectangle and
fill it
> with a cross hatch.
> So you just draw your normal board then fill in the areas you want
with the
> cross hatch. Time consuming not automatic but at least you can do
it.
> Derek
>

Hi Hans,
Can I put the ground plan in after I do all the other
traces, or should I do a section at a time? I am drawing the
board direct. It is not coming from a diagram made with
Eagle.

John

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Hans Wedemeyer <hans@c...> wrote:
> John,
> With EAGLE I add a polygon and it fills all available space. The
next
> step is to give the polygon a NET name, and naming it GND will
connect
> it to Ground... ( I assume your are using GND as the ground net of
> course)
> This is what the end result looks like http://hans-w.com/rpm_pcb.jpg
> Hans W
>
> crankorgan wrote:
>
> > Hi Gang,
> > I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
> > on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding copper
> > as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way to
> > keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the
other
> > side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with a
> > single sided boards.
> > Regards
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ADVERTISEMENT
> [Image]
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
files:
> >
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@y...
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

John,
Yes you can. EAGLE will allow you to do layouts without a schematic.
It is a little more involved when you don't have a schematic, but easy
anyway. ( shame on you, you should have a schematic and EAGLE will check
the board for you and dozens of ways... ! )
( I just did my first board without and schematic and it works fine )

Anyway, you must NAME each pad that needs to be connected to GND with
the same name GND (for example)

As you name them you should notice a thin ratsnest wire appear between
each pad that has the same name. These are called air-wires. You can
use them to manually route the connection or auto-route. Anyway, all
these pads that have the same name will be connected to the polygon, and
EAGLE make thermals for you. When you are finished with the layout,
place a polygon (not rectangle) on over the entire board and the ( I
forgot the most important things ! ) press the RATSNEST and it will fill
the entire polygon. Then NAME the POLYGON with the NAME command and
enter the NET name for Ground (normally GND) and it will ask if you want
to connect it to GND click OK and it will connect all Grounds to the
polygon ...

Hans W


crankorgan wrote:

> Hi Hans,
> Can I put the ground plan in after I do all the other
> traces, or should I do a section at a time? I am drawing the
> board direct. It is not coming from a diagram made with
> Eagle.
>
> John
>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Hans Wedemeyer <hans@c...> wrote:
> > John,
> > With EAGLE I add a polygon and it fills all available space. The
> next
> > step is to give the polygon a NET name, and naming it GND will
> connect
> > it to Ground... ( I assume your are using GND as the ground net of
> > course)
> > This is what the end result looks like http://hans-w.com/rpm_pcb.jpg
>
> > Hans W
> >
> > crankorgan wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Gang,
> > > I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
> > > on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding copper
> > > as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way to
> > > keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the
> other
> > > side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with a
> > > single sided boards.
> > > Regards
> > >
> > > John
> > >
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > ADVERTISEMENT
> > [Image]
> > >
> > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
> files:
> > >
> > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@y...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

ADVERTISEMENT
[Image]

>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Derek,
My shock was not being able to redo my board with
Eagle. I have yet to hear from the board houses I
contacted.

John

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "High Tech" <hightechsystems@a...> wrote:
> John,
> I could see the shock. The board house should have caught that with
drill
> holes in the middle of nothing. Go figure.
> It's nice to have a large copper surface for heat dissipation.
> See if you had let me make your boards you wouldn't have had that
problem:)
> I always talk to my customers.
> Derek
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: crankorgan
>
>
> Hi Derek,
> I got a real shock with this! I was milling circuit
> boards and selling them. I decided to have a circuit board
> house make the boards. Besides none of them answering my Emails,
> I realized I used the copper left around the traces for the
> ground. This is the same method I used years ago when I used to
> draw my traces on the board. I learned the more copper I left on
> the board the better the acid would work. Now this looks like my
> method has come back to bit me in the butt!
>
> John
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "High Tech" <hightechsystems@a...> wrote:
> > Hi John,
> > In PC logic's Circuit Layout you can draw a square or rectangle
and
> fill it
> > with a cross hatch.
> > So you just draw your normal board then fill in the areas you want
> with the
> > cross hatch. Time consuming not automatic but at least you can do
> it.
> > Derek
> >

Hans,
I have the schematic, I have finished boards that I
have beem milling. I stopped selling controller boards do
to cost. I was hoping to get single sided boards made for
about $15. The boards are 4" X 6" and I used every trick
in the world to get all the parts on the board. The board
only has a few jumpers. When I tried routing programs two
years ago, they would create a two sided board.
That's when I started milling my boards. In order
to get boards made cheap, I have to do a large run. Thanks
for your help, I will give it another try. I have learned so
many programs since my BBS days, I feel like my head is going
to pop!


John

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Hans Wedemeyer <hans@c...> wrote:
> John,
> Yes you can. EAGLE will allow you to do layouts without a schematic.
> It is a little more involved when you don't have a schematic, but
easy
> anyway. ( shame on you, you should have a schematic and EAGLE will
check
> the board for you and dozens of ways... ! )
> ( I just did my first board without and schematic and it works
fine )
>
> Anyway, you must NAME each pad that needs to be connected to GND
with
> the same name GND (for example)
>
> As you name them you should notice a thin ratsnest wire appear
between
> each pad that has the same name. These are called air-wires. You
can
> use them to manually route the connection or auto-route. Anyway, all
> these pads that have the same name will be connected to the
polygon, and
> EAGLE make thermals for you. When you are finished with the layout,
> place a polygon (not rectangle) on over the entire board and the ( I
> forgot the most important things ! ) press the RATSNEST and it will
fill
> the entire polygon. Then NAME the POLYGON with the NAME command and
> enter the NET name for Ground (normally GND) and it will ask if you
want
> to connect it to GND click OK and it will connect all Grounds to the
> polygon ...
>
> Hans W
>
>
> crankorgan wrote:
>
> > Hi Hans,
> > Can I put the ground plan in after I do all the other
> > traces, or should I do a section at a time? I am drawing the
> > board direct. It is not coming from a diagram made with
> > Eagle.
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Hans Wedemeyer <hans@c...> wrote:
> > > John,
> > > With EAGLE I add a polygon and it fills all available space. The
> > next
> > > step is to give the polygon a NET name, and naming it GND will
> > connect
> > > it to Ground... ( I assume your are using GND as the ground net
of
> > > course)
> > > This is what the end result looks like http://hans-
w.com/rpm_pcb.jpg
> >
> > > Hans W
> > >
> > > crankorgan wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi Gang,
> > > > I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
> > > > on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding
copper
> > > > as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way
to
> > > > keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the
> > other
> > > > side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with
a
> > > > single sided boards.
> > > > Regards
> > > >
> > > > John
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > > ADVERTISEMENT
> > > [Image]
> > > >
> > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks
and
> > files:
> > > >
> > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > > >
> > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@y...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> > Service.
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> ADVERTISEMENT
> [Image]
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
files:
> >
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@y...
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

John,
You are telling me you can't find a board shop to do two sided 4"X6 with
through plated holes and solder mask and silk screen (one side) for
$15...... Well I just made 30 boards 5"X6" with all that, and 19 IC's
(8x28pin 8X14pin 3x3pin) my cost $10.00 includes artwork tooling and
setup fee. No extra charge for different size drills....

How many of these 4X6 are you planning to make ? I can get you a price.
hansw


crankorgan wrote:

> Hans,
> I have the schematic, I have finished boards that I
> have beem milling. I stopped selling controller boards do
> to cost. I was hoping to get single sided boards made for
> about $15. The boards are 4" X 6" and I used every trick
> in the world to get all the parts on the board. The board
> only has a few jumpers. When I tried routing programs two
> years ago, they would create a two sided board.
> That's when I started milling my boards. In order
> to get boards made cheap, I have to do a large run. Thanks
> for your help, I will give it another try. I have learned so
> many programs since my BBS days, I feel like my head is going
> to pop!
>
>
> John
>
>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Hans Wedemeyer <hans@c...> wrote:
> > John,
> > Yes you can. EAGLE will allow you to do layouts without a schematic.
>
> > It is a little more involved when you don't have a schematic, but
> easy
> > anyway. ( shame on you, you should have a schematic and EAGLE will
> check
> > the board for you and dozens of ways... ! )
> > ( I just did my first board without and schematic and it works
> fine )
> >
> > Anyway, you must NAME each pad that needs to be connected to GND
> with
> > the same name GND (for example)
> >
> > As you name them you should notice a thin ratsnest wire appear
> between
> > each pad that has the same name. These are called air-wires. You
> can
> > use them to manually route the connection or auto-route. Anyway, all
>
> > these pads that have the same name will be connected to the
> polygon, and
> > EAGLE make thermals for you. When you are finished with the layout,
> > place a polygon (not rectangle) on over the entire board and the ( I
>
> > forgot the most important things ! ) press the RATSNEST and it will
> fill
> > the entire polygon. Then NAME the POLYGON with the NAME command and
> > enter the NET name for Ground (normally GND) and it will ask if you
> want
> > to connect it to GND click OK and it will connect all Grounds to the
>
> > polygon ...
> >
> > Hans W
> >
> >
> > crankorgan wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Hans,
> > > Can I put the ground plan in after I do all the other
> > > traces, or should I do a section at a time? I am drawing the
> > > board direct. It is not coming from a diagram made with
> > > Eagle.
> > >
> > > John
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., Hans Wedemeyer <hans@c...> wrote:
> > > > John,
> > > > With EAGLE I add a polygon and it fills all available space. The
>
> > > next
> > > > step is to give the polygon a NET name, and naming it GND will
> > > connect
> > > > it to Ground... ( I assume your are using GND as the ground net
> of
> > > > course)
> > > > This is what the end result looks like http://hans-
> w.com/rpm_pcb.jpg
> > >
> > > > Hans W
> > > >
> > > > crankorgan wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Gang,
> > > > > I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
>
> > > > > on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding
> copper
> > > > > as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way
> to
> > > > > keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the
> > > other
> > > > > side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with
> a
> > > > > single sided boards.
> > > > > Regards
> > > > >
> > > > > John
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > > > ADVERTISEMENT
> > > > [Image]
> > > > >
> > > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks
> and
> > > files:
> > > > >
> > > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > > > >
> > > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > > > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@y...
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> > > Service.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > ADVERTISEMENT
> > [Image]
> > >
> > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
> files:
> > >
> > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@y...
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

ADVERTISEMENT
[Image]

>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "crankorgan" <john@k...> wrote:

> Hi Gang,
> I was wondering if any of you have done a ground plane
> on a board. When I mill boards I can use the surrounding copper
> as a ground. With Eagle and other programs I can't find a way to
> keep the extra copper around the traces. I know I can use the other
> side of the board for a ground. I really wanted to stick with a
> single sided boards.
> Regards
>
> John

John,

Have you printed out the tutorial in EAGLE? If you print it out, you
will find a section that discusses "Copper Pouring". I don't know
why they call it that, but I have used it and after following along
with the tutorial and doing some projects on my own, I found it to be
quite easy. It only takes some practice.

Good luck.

johnman