[Coco] HD floppy controller update: success!

[jdaggett at gate.net]

On 5 Jul 2008 at 18:08, Phill Harvey-Smith wrote:

> Joel Ewy wrote:
> > Hey Chuck,  this is good stuff you're working on.
> 
> I'll second that :)
> 
> > If you do decide to manufacture some boards, my temptation level
> > would go sky high.  Cost would be a factor for me.  PCB only option
> > would be cool.  But I may have to download Eagle and see if I can
> > fab a double-sided board.  I have a homebrew CNC drill that I've
> > done far too little with so far.  I wonder where I can get ahold of
> > the 82077AA.
> 
> Humm having looked at the board produced by Eagle's auto-router, I
> think it would be hardish to produce that using DIY methods, either by
> your CNC, or by the photo etch process (as I use), as there are many
> through holes that would be almost impossible to hand top solder
> (specifically the ones for the PLCC).
> 

Finally decided to install the freeware version of Eagle and look at the autoroute of the 
board. My only comment is to nix the autorouter and reroute it by hand. Typical autorouter 
layout. The PCB needs a bunch of cleanup just to make it.

 
> The board would need to be re-routed with this in mind. As a fairly
> experienced Eagle user I have come to the conclusion that the
> auto-router is not too good other than for the simplest of jobs and I
> mostly tend to hand route things, yes it can mean a fair amount of
> tedious work, it can also mean ripping things and starting again, but
> overall the finished result will be easier to work with.
> 
> I do however tend to optimise mostly for DIY photo etching where you
> don't have plated through holes, though you can of course use
> component legs for this purpose, using turned pin IC sockets also
> helps greatly as they can be top soldered, with a little practice, and
> taking care on the 
>   order that you assemble the board.
> 
> This of course does not matter so much if you are going to have the
> board made by a board house, as they generally can do plated holes and
> so this isn't so much of a concern.
> 


I would not try and do this other than on a CAD program and through a fab house. 

james