Using a Stripboard as a Final Product

ChrisSousa9 · Joined: Nov 29, 2008 Posts: 14 Location: North Carolina

So, I recently got started into making my own schematics and such on breadboards (About a year ago). So I know they're are about three ways you can make a circuit 1) Breadboard 2) Stripboard 3) PCB. I've always used pre-made PCB whenever I build a circuit, quiet cost consuming if I don't say myself (No offense to any Synth PCBer's, Ray Wilson has awesome PCB's). But I thought about just using stripboard for my synth projects and solder my leads on the bottom. The good thing about this is a save about $20 for buying or designing my own PCB. Of course you run definetly have a lot more on the board itself, And that could lead to some design flaws. Im want to know some of your opinions on this. Is it safe with building Power Supplies on?

DrJustice · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:34 am Post subject:

The thing with stripboards is that big projects can become a bit messy and not so fun to maintain or repair. Other than that I see no reason not to use them if it suits you. High speed digital circuits may emit more noise, and some critical analogue circuits may not perform as well, as on a purpose designed PCB with optimal ruoting, ground and power planes etc.. Most synth related circuits should be fine, though. You can safely use stripboards for power supplies too, as long as you are careful with the construction and not too much heat is generated.

DJ
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kxspxr · Joined: Nov 20, 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Denmark

I have succesfully used veroboard/stripboard on all my DIY projects. Ring modulators, LFO, VCO, VCF and ELF radios. Everything still works to perfection. The drawback is that it can be quite messy and difficult to repair, as DrJustice noted. On the other hand, it's quick and dirty compared to PCB-making, hole drilling etc. I have considered on several occasions to start making PCB using the phototransfer method. It looks easy and I might just look into that between xmas and new year since I have a friend who offered to help me get startet. If I were you I would look into the phototransfer method too... and use stripboard for smaller projects.

I found a straight forward tutorial for phototransfer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQupRXEqOz4

EDIT: You can also consider getting Futurlec to make the PCB's for you. It's actually quite cheap: http://www.futurlec.com/PCBService.shtml

-kasper

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:53 am Post subject:

I've used stripboard for many projects and they all work just fine. The messiness aspect can be fixed by laying out designs using a layout application like Lochmaster. It makes it easy to design layouts which are compact, noise free, easy to work on, etc. I've used stripboard to build PSUs (like my latest one) and plan on doing a beefed up version which deliver 3Amps per rail. It mostly comes down to using the same kind of design principles which you use in PCB layouts. Plenty of space for hot parts, offboard connections where they are appropriate, sufficient traces for high current etc.
If you don't see the stripboard layout as a "temporary", "make shift", or "rough version" etc. it won't be.
Include proper insulated mounting holes. Mark your cuts with a felt pen before cutting them. Maximise the length of traces connected to Ground and minimise all others.
Use PCB "pins" with heatshrink for off board connections, or .1"molex connectors, or .2" screw down terminals. Count your wire links, and count them again,........ and again. Very Happy

Any issues with noise immunity can be fixed with small brass sheet "Faraday cages" in a way which is actually better than most PCBs. It would be pretty rare though.

picsynth · Joined: Oct 16, 2008 Posts: 27 Location: New Zealand

I use stripboard for everything, including a replacement 24v 2amp power supply for my oscilloscope !

In PICSynth all of the boards are stripboards. You can get quite fast at doing layouts using math paper...and pencil.

The only exception I can see is if you are working at high frequencies eg Radio RF work and the capacitances between the tracks become important.
Not a porblem at Synth frequencies.

I don't bother making PC boards, I am usually pulling apart and remaking far to often for that Wink

Kevin

http://www.geocities.com/picsynth

kxspxr · Joined: Nov 20, 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Denmark

You can download DIY Layout Creator and use it on any computer that supports Java. You can use it to layout stripboards before soldering. Oh, and it's free Smile

Linux/OSX/Win:
http://www.storm-software.co.yu/diy/forums.html?project=software

MrUmunhum · Joined: Apr 05, 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Mt Umunhum, CA

kxspxr · Joined: Nov 20, 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Denmark

aerogramma · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:01 am Post subject:

I would be too Wink

thanks!

aero

MrUmunhum · Joined: Apr 05, 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Mt Umunhum, CA

slacker · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject:

He's changed the name of his website, it's now here http://diy-fever.com/forums.html?project=software

MrUmunhum · Joined: Apr 05, 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Mt Umunhum, CA

kxspxr · Joined: Nov 20, 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Denmark

MrUmunhum · Joined: Apr 05, 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Mt Umunhum, CA

Sine · Joined: Sep 10, 2007 Posts: 111 Location: Netherlands

I use matrixboard for about everything I build ... except for projects where reasonable priced boards are available. ( such as MOFS and CGS boards )
Building a circuit on strip/matrix board is VERY time consuming, if I can buy a board for a few bucks I will go for it.

Personally I don't use stripboard, its way too messy for me and compact building is virtually impossible, matrix board is a bit more work but I think it gets a much better result.

Try this on strip :

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

fonik · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

in the electronotes bernie hutchins recommended just surface mounting the parts on an etched PCB, so no drilling is needed. does anybody use this method? i am just curious.