question about process for ordering PCBs

[maks]

Hi, thanks for making available all your hard work on this brillant project!

I'm a fan of lgpt myself and would love to have a go at building the Picotracker.

When I first came across your project yesterday I was going to have a go at building the original version as I realised I had everything in my spareparts box bar the lcd (which I ordered) but then I saw your new portable version of Picotracker and I would definitely love to build that instead. I read through your description of the build and it seems I would need just the LCD part vs the "module" version which comes on its own pcb board, is that right?

Also could I ask for some advice on whats required to order a assembled version of the PCB? I've ordered just bare PCBs before from the likes of PCBway by just uploading the Gerber which was simple enough, but I'm thinking ordering preassembled boards is a bit more involved? And I'm guessing they only do the SMD parts and that I still need to solder in the 3.5mm, usb & sdcard sockets myself?

[democloid]

Hey, glad you like it and are willing to build it! I'd recommend doing the RP pico version first to check if this works for you (specially if you have all the parts), there are some things that are a little janky right now, I've been procrastinating releasing a new version to fix those.

Regarding the screen module, yes, this is the exact module I bought: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255799833458861.html

For JLCPCB (which is what I used) you have all the necessary files in the release section. For assembly service you just need the BOM and the pos files added to the gerber files. After you add your gerber files, you need to go to the lower section where is says "PCB Assembly", enable it and it will ask what side to assemble, top side is the default and what we want. You can choose how many to assemble, 2 is the minimum. After you click confirm you're presented with a screen where you can upload BOM and POS (or CPL) files. After this you'd have to check "component placements", this part is a bit trickier because you may have some parts that are not correctly positioned, It's usually obvious and there are some "autocorrect" tools, but let me know if something doesn't look right. I should do a guide to explain all this process.

Regarding your question about parts, this will give you a completely assembled PCB, connectors, SD card slot, USB, etc. (This is exactly what I received from JLCPCB https://democloid.com/assets/img/2023-6-22-picoTrackerPortable/pcb_real.jpg). The only things that need to be fitted are the screen and (optional) battery.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

[maks]

Brilliant, thanks for such a quick and detailed reply!

Yes thats a good point, I'll have at just making the initial model first to better learn the process of putting it all together before I tackle the portable model. And thanks also for running me through the process of ordering the PCB, that all makes sense and very helpful! I think I may be in similar boat to you when you started, I did elec eng so I should know all this, but over 25 years ago which makes memory quite hazy.

I'll get the order in though as shipping times to here in Aus are often quite lengthy, or did you mean that you have an updated version of the PCB that I should wait for before ordering?

Thanks again!

[maks]

Hi I did the easy thing first and ran the case print on my printer (the case design is very nice!) and I wanted to get a sense for if the quiet linear keys I have already from an old crowdfunder along with some left over blank keycaps I have would work and it seems that they will fit. Apologies its not in the official purple.

I think I will need to try to make a modified version of the keys PCB as these switches have a different footprint to the MX ones or if are have the chance, would you have time to make a second PCB layout with them as I have to admit I've never used KiCAD before.

Super excited to try to build the "desktop" version once the LCD I ordered locally gets here next week and then the portable once the various parts and PCBs once I order them arrive.

[democloid]

PCB should be final, no concerns there. Only problem with small runs is that it may be significantly more expensive per part.

Love the color combination, I'd even encourage uniqueness through different colors :)

Reason I chose the cherry low profile switches is that otherwise the whole case would be way too thick and not look good (to me). 10 pcs of these will be less than 10 bucks in aliexpress, so it's not too bad, keycaps that can be used with them are limited tho, DSA profile ones work well. Can also 3D print the keycaps but I found that not to work too well.

[maks]

Ah great thanks! I've placed the PCB order now, thanks again for running through it, especially the step to fix up the placements (seemed to mostly just be rotations which were easy given the pin-1 dots on the pcb).

And yes I see now what you mean about low profile switches. I guess I can just use up my existing ones on the "desktop build". With low profiles switches, is something like these that you used?

Also would you be open to opening the Github discussions feature on this or one of your other repos as that might be better than my continuing to comment on this issue, since you've more than answered it so it could be closed now 🙂

[maks]

I surprised myself by being able to rustle up everything bar the screen from spare parts box, though the sd board is not actually the adafruit one, so I just need to remove the little studs on the case to make it fit perfectly with a bit of hot glue on it and the switches.

[democloid]

Nice!! Eager to know how it goes. I'll look into the discussions feature, thanks.

Switches are these: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804327585812.html