[Coco] Motorola Parts Missing in ExpressPCB

Tue Aug 14 10:24:51 EDT 2012

I have used ExpressPCB, PCB123, OrCAD, and I am now learning KiCAD.

I used OrCAD for work, and it is $$ for a hobbiest usage.  ExpressPCB
is nice, and simple to learn, but it has its limitations, one being
you have to order from them and no autorouter.  They will sell you the
Gerber files after you buy at least one run from them.  PCB123 is more
powerful and has an autorouter, but the schematic capture program can
be painful, but I have not used it in at least 3 years, so it may have
improved.  Again with PCB123 you have to order from them.  I am just
now learning KiCAD, and it is pretty powerful, but it has a learning
curve.  Have not gotten into doing a layout with it yet, but it does
have a large user base with plenty of libraries.  I ahve a simple
design I am going to run through batchpcb and see how that goes.  For
the cost if the results are OK, it is worth the wait.

I am sure others have different thoughts.

On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 9:29 AM,  <jdaggett at gate.net> wrote:
> Paulo
>
> For Hobbiest PCB layout tools  I recommend Eagle. Available on Windows, Linux and MAC.
> The freeware version is limited to 80x100mm size and 2 layers. The schematic is limited to
> one page. If you have lots of dollars to spend then I would recommend Cadence Tools only if
> you have a deep pocket full of hundred dollar bills. I mean deep.
>
> The autorouter on Eagle is a ripup and retry router and im my opinion it stinks.  For greater
> needs there are a few options that are not to expensive for Eagle.
>
> For Linux use there are several packages out there that are opensource. gEDA seems to be
> a very popular package.
>
> Not sure of the MAC domain as I do not use Apples anymore. Use to use them at work.
>
> james
>
>
> On 14 Aug 2012 at 10:15, Paulo Lindoso wrote:
>
>> Picking up on that topic (PCB vendors and stuff), can I ask the list some
>> quick questions?
>>
>> I have been playing around with the idea of designing HW stuff as hobby for
>> quite some time now.  It's been ages since I left the HW arena for the SW,
>> but I do miss the thrill of building new stuff from scratch, specially if I
>> can attach them to our beloved CoCo...
>>
>> I still have an original design of a logic tester for the CoCo I built in
>> the 1980's... The "inteligence" was SW (an IC database and their testing
>> routines), but packing together flip-flops and buffers to transmit and
>> collect info from the IC being tested was fun...!
>>
>> That said, can the list point in the right track again?
>>
>> 1) I use a Mac as computing platform.  Which software would you recommend
>> for circuit design?  Linux is also available to me, but I dropped the
>> "Windows habit" many years ago! ;)
>> 2) Do these PCB vendors take up a circuit schematic and work out PCB layout
>> and the works or do you have to do the layout yourself?  If the latter,
>> which routing software (if any) do you guys use/recommend?
>>
>> Thanks a lot!
>> Paulo.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 9:59 AM, <jdaggett at gate.net> wrote:
>>
>> > Kip
>> >
>> > If you were using Eagle layout then I could help you more on the library
>> > front. While
>> > ExpressPCB is very fast in its turn around, you pay for that service.
>> > Their 2 layer miniboard
>> > service comes out to be $2.65 per square inch when using the miniboard Pro
>> > service. $1.79
>> > per square inch with the standard miniboard service.
>> >
>> > If you are interested in small quantities like three boards, a new player
>> > in the hobby PCB
>> > fabmarket is DorkbotPDX. This service has recently gone open to all and is
>> > $5 per square
>> > inch for three boards. This includes solder mask tope and bottom, two
>> > layer service,
>> > silkscreen top and bottom, one ounze copper boards, and ENIG plating. ENIG
>> > is Electroless
>> > Nickle and Immersion Gold over the copper. They supply DRU files for
>> > Ealgle as well as the
>> > CAM file for their process.
>> >
>> > Another service that is slightly more expensive and still cheaper than
>> > ExpressPCB is Batch
>> > PCB. They are $2 per square inch for 2 layer boards and use just about any
>> > PCB layout
>> > software except ExpressPCB which is proprietary. Theirs also is soldermask
>> > and top
>> > sildscreen only. They use HASL plating over the copper. This is a lead
>> > free hot air solder
>> > plating process.  BatchPCB is rather slow, about 30 dyas from the time you
>> > order to when
>> > your PCBs are shipped. They are good quality and well done. I have used
>> > them in the past.
>> >
>> > DorkbotPDX info page is here:
>> >
>> > http://dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/pcb_order/
>> >
>> > Dorkbot order page is here:
>> >
>> > http://oshpark.com/
>> >
>> > BatchPCB is here:
>> >
>> > http://batchpcb.com/index.php/Products
>> >
>> > One other note about BatchPCB is that there is a market place and you can
>> > have your
>> > designs be made available for sale and receive a monthly check for the
>> > royalties. A nice
>> > feature.
>> >
>> > james
>> >
>> > On 13 Aug 2012 at 21:38, Kip Koon wrote:
>> >
>> > > Hello Fellow PCB Makers,
>> > >
>> > > I am beginning the long arduous task of entering my 6809 Computer into
>> > > ExpressPCB to ultimately have a PCB made.  So far however, I have had to
>> > > create every Motorola part in ExpressPCB myself as well as the eprom and
>> > ram
>> > > chips.  It lists absolutely NO Motorola parts whatsoever!  If any of you
>> > > have already created ANY parts for ExpressPCB could you all send me a
>> > copy
>> > > of them off list please.  I would be very grateful.  As you know, if you
>> > > have had to create any parts in ExpressPCB, it takes a while and really
>> > > slows down the creation process of drawing the schematics.  I have
>> > noticed
>> > > that ExpressPCB is used by many of the creators of the 6809 projects I
>> > have
>> > > researched when I was deciding on what type of project to do as my first
>> > > 6809 experiment.  I wonder if there is a depot of sorts where everyone
>> > can
>> > > upload the parts they've created for ExpressPCB.  If not, does anyone
>> > have
>> > > any ideas as to where such an ExpressPCB Parts Depot could be hosted?
>> > Thanks
>> > > again in advance for any help you can give. J
>> > >
>> > > Kip
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > --
>> > > Coco mailing list
>> > > Coco at maltedmedia.com
>> > > http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/coco
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > -----
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>> >
>> >
>> >
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> -------------------------------------------------------------
>> Paulo Lindoso
>> paulo.lindoso at gmail.com
>> http://about.me/pbal<http://email.about.me/wf/click?c=e86tqVWFYsEogZdu8cwmbpAZwRtFkPjZS8Z3nwSDfjU%3D&rp=TDQggGXPgxMn1%2FQoMR%2F7Bsr00fO9wne%2B4zDSBQ93vWI1BH%2FOlrnU7zrQ0H0iAWgQyYyB6YfryJhLcifwbBLZ98yd6yex7cp06Yzq3Q1SplHrq%2FIu7OFPSwv8LqPdUbWL&u=njPbVRRXSvmg3PMz9cXBSg%2Fh0>
>>
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>
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