Hey all, I'm currently working on a project and I come across that I will need a button matrix / keypad. Since everything is on a breadboard still under debugging, I just want to make a single PC Board for SMD. So I can add tact buttons, some resistors and a capacitor. So it wouldn't take up bread board space.
Since this will be my first SMD project, I want to know a few things before I get started. I've seen a lot of people talking about using CAD to design their PCB and send them to a manufacture who can produce 50 of them. Can it be a option to use something such as Gimp, or maybe Photoshop to design my PCB?
Who could print my PCB very cheaply and effectively? I'm not looking in designing a big board. All its going to have is 8 buttons with 3 through hole pins.
Would I need anything else before I begin soldering on my first PCB for SMD?
Here is a list of what I have already:
Thank you, Ajm.
Since this will be my first SMD project, I want to know a few things before I get started. I've seen a lot of people talking about using CAD to design their PCB and send them to a manufacture who can produce 50 of them. Can it be a option to use something such as Gimp, or maybe Photoshop to design my PCB?
Who could print my PCB very cheaply and effectively? I'm not looking in designing a big board. All its going to have is 8 buttons with 3 through hole pins.
Would I need anything else before I begin soldering on my first PCB for SMD?
Here is a list of what I have already:
- 15 - 30 Watt Soldering Iron (Maybe I should get a cheap and better Iron with Temp Settings?)
- Helping Hands with magnifier.
- Very Thin Solder
- Flux Pen
- Desoldering Iron
Thank you, Ajm.
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