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• Applying the paste to the board.

  Bogdan • 09/25/2020 at 14:12 • 0 comments

  Required tools:

  1. Stencil.
  2. Solder paste.

  Applying the paste.

  For this operation, I have designed a PCB fixture with a mount for interchangeable stencils.
  

  Setting the PCB and aligning the stencil after that apply some duct tape.

  After that firmly apply the paste.After that, we will get PCB with solder paste on it.
  
  Now we can mount components.
  When placing the components press components a little bit in the solder paste.
  

  Now solder components using a solder station hot air.

  And fix if needed some unsoldered components.

  
  

• Making a solder paste stencil

  Bogdan • 09/25/2020 at 13:54 • 0 comments

  Required tools:

  1. Aluminium can.
  2. CNC.
  3. Sanding paper.
  4. Iron.

  Preparing an aluminium sheet for the stencil.
  

  The instruction for cut aluminium can.

  Cut the top and bottom of the can.

  Using the Iron straighten the sheet.
  

  Then cut the sheet with dimensions 100x50mm.
  

  
  

  Using sanding paper clean both sides of the sheet. We need to clean the surface to have the possibility to calibrate the CNC using heightmap.

  Mount clean sheet of aluminum in CNC.

  
  

  Preparing G code for CNC.

  The FlatCam project you can find in attachments.
  

  Open GTP file in FlatCam and preparing the G code.
  

  By setting tool size as a negative value we shrink the size of pads.
  

  Open the exported G code of job in Candle application.
  And before cutting holes does not forget to get a heightmap and apply that map.

  After cutting we will get aluminum stencil.

  
  

• Requesting the PCB manufacture

  Bogdan • 06/30/2020 at 20:42 • 0 comments

  I have bought manufacturing the PCB from PCBWay.

  So now I am waiting for production and delivery. Then I will make a stencil to solder components.

  The instruction how to prepare files for PCBWay you can find here https://www.pcbway.com/helpcenter/technical_support/How_to_generate_Gerber_files_from_CircuitMaker.html .

  For the easy way, I have added the project to the shared projects of PCBWay where you can request PCB in one click.
  

  https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/STM32_Pro_Mini.html
  

• Release of Revision 6

  Bogdan • 06/30/2020 at 20:29 • 0 comments

  The released latest version of STM32 pro-mini-board.
  Zip file with all files for production is in the attachment.

  Now the board is compatible with Arduino pro mini in powering pins.

• Preparing next revision

  Bogdan • 06/24/2020 at 10:39 • 0 comments

  The PCB that was has been already soldered has a bug in the schematic. The AVCC is not connected to VCC.

  List of next revision planned fixes and improvements:

  1. Fix AVCC bug. (already done)

  2. Change all smd R, C components sizes to 0603. (already done)

  3. Add GND polygons.
  

  4. Increase the VCC, RAW lines width.
  

  5. Unhide the components designators on PCB.
  

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