General question regarding Frequency Shifter assembly

dingebre

Well, I finally get to start on the FS-1 boards. For the sake of efficiency, is it better to:

a. Grab all common values of a component and then try to find where they all go? eg. all the 1M resistors.

or:

b. Look on the board, see a component value and then hunt for the parts bag with that component/value, then move onto the adjacent resistor, etc. and do the same thing all over? ? eg. see the 4M7 resistor spot and then hunt through the parts bags for the 4M7 resistors, then move onto the 1k next to it.

Last one, is it better to mount the SMT capacitors first or last?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.
David

2thick4uni · Joined: Feb 20, 2009 Posts: 113 Location: UK

I'd always mount smd caps first. Test between power rails and earth for shorts after fitting to make sure nothing is bridged.

I usually work from BOM and fit all of specific value at the same time, eg all 100R, then all 150R etc. Fit resistors and diodes first, then IC sockets if you're using them, then caps, then transistors and IC's last.

Allan

dingebre · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:55 am Post subject:

Thanks Allan.

That's how I've done the other boards I've built so far, but none were quite so dense and the boards had the component number, not the value.

In looking at the PCB's more closely, I think grouping common component values will be the better way to go.

What you say makes sense for the SMD caps, too. I was worried about heating them as I soldered other components in proximity to the caps.

David

jhaible · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

dingebre · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks JH.

No complaints here about the size or density : ) Since I use FracRack format, smaller boards are always welcome and I've been practicing soldering the SMT parts and it really isn't that bad. In fact, I think I might like them better as there are no leads to bend or cut after soldering.

I actually like having the component value printed on the PCB as well. I think it makes for less chance of error on stuffing the board.

I have just been used to PCB's that have a component number silk screened on rather than value and was looking for opinions. The kit Tobias put together already has the parts sorted by value, making the overall job much easier I think.

Thanks again,
David