Public repository for ExpressPCB PCB layout and schematic capture components

[[email protected]]

If anybody is using ExpressPCB and is looking for, or has, components
that are not included with the package, there is a public repository
for them. It is located in the files section of the following Egroup:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/expresspcb/ .

The group is maintained by others and not by ExpressPCB. If you need
the software, you can get it directly from ExpressPCB at
www.expresspcb.com. There is no charge for this.

If anybody has any custom components, pad layouts and/or schematic
symbols designed for use with ExpressPCB software, that they would be
willing to share, please upload them to the FILE section.

If you use, or have used, the ExpressPCB software, you can find your
custom files located in the following directories:

C:\Program Files\ExpressPCB\PCBComponents_Custom
C:\Program Files\ExpressPCB\SchComponents_Custom

The PCB components end in ".p" and the schematic components end in
".s".


Thanks.

Dennis.

 

[Dave Baker]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/expresspcb/ .

The group is maintained by others and not by ExpressPCB. If you need
the software, you can get it directly from ExpressPCB at
www.expresspcb.com. There is no charge for this.

Interesting - I was just looking into another matter regarding ExpressPCB,
and came upon this posting - good timing. I'll ask here first, then take it
to the group if no answer here...

I have a pcb with a gerber file. Is there any way I can get this into
ExpressPCB format so I can get them to make the board? The PCB houses 10 SMT
components & is too fiddly for me to make myself.

Dave

 

[Ben Bradley]

Interesting - I was just looking into another matter regarding ExpressPCB,
and came upon this posting - good timing. I'll ask here first, then take it
to the group if no answer here...

I have a pcb with a gerber file. Is there any way I can get this into
ExpressPCB format so I can get them to make the board?

I'm pretty sure the only way is to manually re-lay out the board
using the ExpressPCB program. Apparently, their file format is
intentionally incompatible with industry standard file formats.
On the other hand, I just installed and ran the latest version, and
I didn't see anything claiming copyright on the data format or that
said it couldn't be reverse-engineered, though the DCMA (the DMCA?)
might say otherwise.
IANAL, this is not legal advice, YMMV, all applicable disclaimers
apply, etc.

 

[Dave Baker]

I'm pretty sure the only way is to manually re-lay out the board
using the ExpressPCB program. Apparently, their file format is
intentionally incompatible with industry standard file formats.

Tried that, but unfortunately it's just too small for me to be sure it's
going to work without a few iterations. Getting the boards made is cheap, but
postage to Malaysia isn't, especially if I have to go through 3 or 4
revisions before getting it right!

On the other hand, I just installed and ran the latest version, and
I didn't see anything claiming copyright on the data format or that
said it couldn't be reverse-engineered, though the DCMA (the DMCA?)
might say otherwise.

I was hoping that they might have some back room in-house software that could
convert gerber to their own format. If I give them the gerber & they give me
back the pcb format I'd be more than happy - I won't need the gerber any
more. New business opportunity for them?

I just had a look at a pcb file - binary of some sort. It might be crackable
- 20 bytes per pad... Not that I have any interest in cracking - just
want to get a circuit board that they can make for me.

Dave

 

[Dave Baker]

However, unless your board is unreasonably complex, just use their
software to redraw it. You can print it out actual size and compare
it to the boards you already have before actually sending it to them.
That way, you'll know for sure that their boards will work.

I tried, but the board is a pretty complex SMT board, with some very close
components. If I'm out by a mm, it's back to the virtual drawing board, and
another $60 in postage.

Dave

 

[[email protected]]

I tried, but the board is a pretty complex SMT board, with some very close
components. If I'm out by a mm, it's back to the virtual drawing board, and
another $60 in postage.

Before I click "Make Boards" I always print it actual size and then
place all the components on the printout to see if they will fit.
I've never made any boards with high density SMT chips with Express
PCB, but their library includes SMT chip layouts that can be as close
as 0.025". What is the closest tolerance chip on your board?

Dennis.




Dennis Hawkins
n4mwd AT amsat DOT org (humans know what to do)

"A Recession is when you know somebody who is out of work.
A Depression is when YOU are out of work.
A Recovery is when all the H1-B's are out of work."
(An H-1B is someone who is brought into the USA to replace
American workers at a fraction of the wage.)

 

[Dave Baker]

I've never made any boards with high density SMT chips with Express
PCB, but their library includes SMT chip layouts that can be as close
as 0.025". What is the closest tolerance chip on your board?

I'd say about 0.5mm (hmm, looking for my trusty conversion
calculator....about 0,02" - maybe 0.025 will be enough - it's just up to me
to get it into the right 0.025" slot!

I might try look for a gerber file viewer, and maybe that will have a way of
measuring each pad exactly, then I can compare with the PCBExpress view.

I just had another look at PCBExpress - my main worry is the area around the
LM2676S-ADJ switching regulator. It is a TO263 case according to the specs,
but has 7 legs - the TO263 in PCBExpress only has 3 legs, and they all look
bigger. Time to get out the micrometer...

Dave

 

[Dave Baker]

That's a different company altogether. I know its strange, but
PCBExpress is not the same company as Express PCB.

Oops - typo - I did look up PCBExpress for something once & the name sticks
sometimes - it's not the first time I mixed them up.

For your chip, see:
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/us/dksus.dll?Detail?Ref=132155&Row=194474

ExpressPCB does not have
that exact SMT pad, but 0.040" x 0.060" should be close enough. You
can make longer pads by stacking them end to end.

I'll give that a go.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[Steve]

What I want to do is display a value (MPH) on three 7 segment numeric
display: 000 - 999

Here are the criteria

1/ No PIC's
2/ Usual junkbox components
3/ IC's o.k. as long as their not programmed- must be readily available

Value must be derived from the following information:

Distance = 164' (or 1.98 miles - long story but both are correct)
Time = variable


Time value to be generated by photo sensor trigger.

An example of a "correct" value would be for the time value of 23.309,
the speed would be approx. 168

can anyone think of a way to do this?
Oh yeah, two other things. The photo sensor "cue" starts and end the
timing cycle, the value is generated from this duration. A new cycle is
stated from the end of the last cycle. 2- A manual reset via momentary
switch.

 

[Frank Buss]

What I want to do is display a value (MPH) on three 7 segment numeric
display: 000 - 999

Here are the criteria

1/ No PIC's

why no PIC? Without a processor it would require a lot more chips to
implement the necessary division and conversion to BCD and to 7 segment,
which is very easy with one PIC.