I have been sending simple Kicad Gerbers off to a Fab and receiving good PCBs. However, sometimes I change my mind while the Fab is working so I must hack the received PCBs. When searching for the latest KiCad on Ubuntu Linux, the response included VeroRoute which I also installed. After a quick read of the tutorials, it looks pretty good. So I am wondering if VeroRoute would be a valuable add to my toolkit for simple layouts.
I have used a similar programme called VeeCAD in the past, for battery chargers and other small add-on boards, found it very ueful for these
Some of the VeroRoute examples are fully stuffed to show off it's capabilities. However, I would like to start with some simple examples. So I created one for your enjoyment. It's just the beginning of a power supply that lights two LEDs. Fortunately, no stripboard tracks need to be cut.
Here is snippet of ChatGPT after some prompting.....
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ME: VeroRoute does stripboards and perfboards which require hand-soldering
You are correct, VeroRoute does support stripboards and perfboards,
which are commonly used for hand-soldering projects. VeroRoute's
routing features can be used to create a layout for these types of
boards, allowing users to create efficient and accurate designs for
their projects.
Stripboards and perfboards are popular among hobbyists and makers who
are working on smaller projects or prototypes. These types of boards
are often used when the project does not require a large number of
components, or when a custom layout is needed that is not easily
achieved with a traditional PCB.
By using VeroRoute to design these boards, users can take advantage of
the software's advanced routing capabilities to create layouts that
are optimized for their specific needs. This can help to reduce
errors, increase efficiency, and ensure that the board is easy to
assemble and solder by hand.
In summary, VeroRoute's support for stripboards and perfboards makes
it a versatile tool for both professional and hobbyist users who are
working on a variety of projects that require hand-soldering.
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I was puzzled by some of the VeroRoute steps since I am used to KiCad. But after reading the inbuilt tutorial and some tinkering, I find VeroRoute to be efficient and logical.
I am including the VeroRoute ".vrt" file so you can play with it. (change DRC1.txt to DRC!.vrt)
Here is snippet of ChatGPT after some prompting.....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ME: VeroRoute does stripboards and perfboards which require hand-soldering
You are correct, VeroRoute does support stripboards and perfboards,
which are commonly used for hand-soldering projects. VeroRoute's
routing features can be used to create a layout for these types of
boards, allowing users to create efficient and accurate designs for
their projects.
Stripboards and perfboards are popular among hobbyists and makers who
are working on smaller projects or prototypes. These types of boards
are often used when the project does not require a large number of
components, or when a custom layout is needed that is not easily
achieved with a traditional PCB.
By using VeroRoute to design these boards, users can take advantage of
the software's advanced routing capabilities to create layouts that
are optimized for their specific needs. This can help to reduce
errors, increase efficiency, and ensure that the board is easy to
assemble and solder by hand.
In summary, VeroRoute's support for stripboards and perfboards makes
it a versatile tool for both professional and hobbyist users who are
working on a variety of projects that require hand-soldering.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was puzzled by some of the VeroRoute steps since I am used to KiCad. But after reading the inbuilt tutorial and some tinkering, I find VeroRoute to be efficient and logical.
I am including the VeroRoute ".vrt" file so you can play with it. (change DRC1.txt to DRC!.vrt)
Attachments
This post has a practical example of a headphone-buffer stripboard planned with Veroroute. The stripboard was first cut to slide into a Hammond project box of width 72.5mm. Next the board was cut into two sections .. 1 for the 12vdc regulators and the other for the two 4556AD opamps. I cut the boards completely in half but this was optional since it was only necessary to cross-cut the copper tracks. This cut was needed to electrically separate the boards so that the same track numbers could be used on both boards and also so that the stripboard would be feasible for this build.
Cutting Stripboard
Don't use motoroized tools when cutting PCBs because the dust is probably toxic. I use a small hacksaw and catch the dust on a cloth. And I only make straight line cuts along the holes so that the board can be snapped apart. The hacksaw should be pulled so that it cuts a perfect straight line. There are plenty of fancy saws on Amazon but none is better than a common hacksaw with a small handle intended for neat cutting.
It is possible to divide tracks into sections using a 5/32 drill. However, I find the hacksaw cuts have better separation with less risk of shorts.
Cutting Stripboard
Don't use motoroized tools when cutting PCBs because the dust is probably toxic. I use a small hacksaw and catch the dust on a cloth. And I only make straight line cuts along the holes so that the board can be snapped apart. The hacksaw should be pulled so that it cuts a perfect straight line. There are plenty of fancy saws on Amazon but none is better than a common hacksaw with a small handle intended for neat cutting.
It is possible to divide tracks into sections using a 5/32 drill. However, I find the hacksaw cuts have better separation with less risk of shorts.
