Best way to translate schematic into actual layout?

bst · 5th February 2006, 06:58 PM

I'd like to pick the brains of the veteran builders here. Where do you start when you go from a schematic to an actual functioning circuit?

I know there are many factors that are important. Among them are: proper grounding, isolation of stray AC from signal paths, minimizing unwanted stray capacitance, proper ventilation and heat control, and so forth.

My question is - where do you begin? Your tips on the most logical sequence of layout and construction would be GREATLY appreciated.

poobah · 5th February 2006, 07:00 PM

What are you building?

bst · 5th February 2006, 07:14 PM

Well, I'm considering building several things, as time permits. I've been accumulating parts at a pretty good rate, and now I have lots of options for projects to build.

Things I'm most interested in at the moment:

-An Aikido headphone amp, perhaps with subminis, maybe with octals

- A 6K6 SE power amp

- A dual-6C4 SOHA headphone amp with an iPod dock

- An all-ST tube 5U4G/OD3/6F8G/ 6BG6G PP power amp

Many other boxes of parts and interesting schematics are lying in wait to abscond with all my free time.

EC8010 · 5th February 2006, 09:09 PM

Decide on where the big lumps should be first of all. I often arrange them and leave them there for a few days while I decide whether I like the arrangement. Rotate your valve sockets so that the heater pins are nearest to the edge of the chassis. Think about hum fields from transformer and heat from valves. Arrange stuff so that the signal from the input socket only goes an inch or two to the first component then flows around naturally so the output of the amplifier is nice and near to the output sockets. Screened lead is verboten. Think about heat and magnetic fields all over again. Now make it pretty.

poobah · 5th February 2006, 09:39 PM

Big question.........................

One thing that has always been a constant for me is starting with a very clean schematic. Not to say that there isn't a million other things to consider in physical layout, but a good physical layout springs from clean schematic. By a clean schematic, I mean a minimum of intersecting wires (crossovers etc...), and a logical flow of signals. This may apply more to PCB design... but it has bearing on P to P wiring as well.

I suppose another big thing is do your work on paper first... you can do this in CAD. but you can also cut up life size "puppets" from graph paper and work on your arrangments then. It doesn't take as long as you think to cut out all the shapes. Landscapers and architects do the same thing. Make your mistakes on paper.

The nice thing is, if you carry this method to it's extreme, you can, for example, do all your drilling and cutting on a chassis all in one session. It goes faster, you make less mistakes, makes it look to others like you really know what your doing, but most importantly it keeps you from drilling and cutting on a chassis or PCB that is already half full of parts. Metal chips and shavings don't mix well with electricity, and these little bits can find their way into places and not find their way out.

EC8010 · 5th February 2006, 09:49 PM

Absolutely. A well-drawn circuit diagram leads naturally to a good mechanical layout. I would second every one of poobah's points.

5th February 2006, 06:58 PM	#1
bst diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Best way to translate schematic into actual layout? I'd like to pick the brains of the veteran builders here. Where do you start when you go from a schematic to an actual functioning circuit? I know there are many factors that are important. Among them are: proper grounding, isolation of stray AC from signal paths, minimizing unwanted stray capacitance, proper ventilation and heat control, and so forth. My question is - where do you begin? Your tips on the most logical sequence of layout and construction would be GREATLY appreciated.

5th February 2006, 09:09 PM	#4
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	Decide on where the big lumps should be first of all. I often arrange them and leave them there for a few days while I decide whether I like the arrangement. Rotate your valve sockets so that the heater pins are nearest to the edge of the chassis. Think about hum fields from transformer and heat from valves. Arrange stuff so that the signal from the input socket only goes an inch or two to the first component then flows around naturally so the output of the amplifier is nice and near to the output sockets. Screened lead is verboten. Think about heat and magnetic fields all over again. Now make it pretty. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

5th February 2006, 09:49 PM	#6
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	Absolutely. A well-drawn circuit diagram leads naturally to a good mechanical layout. I would second every one of poobah's points. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

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5th February 2006, 07:00 PM	#2
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	What are you building?

5th February 2006, 07:14 PM	#3
bst diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Well, I'm considering building several things, as time permits. I've been accumulating parts at a pretty good rate, and now I have lots of options for projects to build. Things I'm most interested in at the moment: -An Aikido headphone amp, perhaps with subminis, maybe with octals - A 6K6 SE power amp - A dual-6C4 SOHA headphone amp with an iPod dock - An all-ST tube 5U4G/OD3/6F8G/ 6BG6G PP power amp Many other boxes of parts and interesting schematics are lying in wait to abscond with all my free time.

5th February 2006, 09:39 PM	#5
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Big question......................... One thing that has always been a constant for me is starting with a very clean schematic. Not to say that there isn't a million other things to consider in physical layout, but a good physical layout springs from clean schematic. By a clean schematic, I mean a minimum of intersecting wires (crossovers etc...), and a logical flow of signals. This may apply more to PCB design... but it has bearing on P to P wiring as well. I suppose another big thing is do your work on paper first... you can do this in CAD. but you can also cut up life size "puppets" from graph paper and work on your arrangments then. It doesn't take as long as you think to cut out all the shapes. Landscapers and architects do the same thing. Make your mistakes on paper. The nice thing is, if you carry this method to it's extreme, you can, for example, do all your drilling and cutting on a chassis all in one session. It goes faster, you make less mistakes, makes it look to others like you really know what your doing, but most importantly it keeps you from drilling and cutting on a chassis or PCB that is already half full of parts. Metal chips and shavings don't mix well with electricity, and these little bits can find their way into places and not find their way out.

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