MPGuino PiggyBack - Duemilanove
 

I've finally gotten started with putting together an MPGuino, but with a small twist. I'm too broke (read: cheap) to buy another arduino for this project, so I decided to make a plugin MPGuino module for my only arduino.

This is my first time designing, and etching PCB boards. I am completely uneducated, and have no experience with board layout and design. This first version isn't going to work out as I intended.. but i'm still going to populate it with everything minus the LCD to see if the functionality is there.

Version 2 is going to have surface mount resistors/diodes for ease of tracks, that way I dont have to "over/under" solder some things. I'll update this thread with anything pertinent. Be patient, my mind picks up a new project every 10 minutes so I tend to jump around.

Here is my first layout design (done in 30 minutes during my CAD class today)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vMcuB-6YZR0/TJ...Guino%20v1.jpg

Here is the front side etching which turned out pretty perfect.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vMcuB-6YZR0/TJ...2022.42.38.jpg

Here's the bottom side. I had two broken tracks but luckily I have some conductive paint laying around so i'll tidy that up tomorrow.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vMcuB-6YZR0/TJ...2022.43.41.jpg

kewl!

do you know the sharpie trick? If some toner sticks to the paper? Or just freehand etch resist.

I did end up using some sharpies to repair a couple pads, and a track that didn't transfer. I don't know what the problem was. I made 2 trips to kinko's to get the designs printed because the back of the first one didn't transfer that well either. I decided I wasn't going back to kinko's because it's stop and go, and i'm nursing a spectacular tank right now.

As far as the two broken tracks, I think that's just my impatience on letting the sharpie completely dry. I'm pretty sure the etching fluid just washed it out.

I have plenty of time between classes tomorrow to knock out a better design for v2.

Seems like a lot of work & fabbing, just to plug into a Duemilanove. Especially if there's a v2.0 coming. On my Seeeeeduino, i just trimmed my leads & wires & crap to the proper lengths, and plugged them into the headers. To each his own, but i'm glad i read this since i learned there is a Sharpie trick out there.