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--- pcb [2006/03/21 21:01] – 5meo-geo
+++ pcb [2006/10/15 09:35] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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+A component made up of layers of copper and fiberglass; the surface of a PCB features a pattern of copper lines, or "traces," that provide electrical connections for chips and other components that mount on the surface of the PCB. A term used in the electronics industry to denote a RAW (non-populated) Printed Circuit Board.
+PCB is short for "Printed Circuit Board".  One way to think of them is as a stencil or blueprint for a circuit or device.  When a PCB is made, the task of putting together a circuit is much easier, since all the connections are premade-- it's just a matter of mounting individual parts.
+One issue to note for those new to soldering(at least, one issue that I had):  It's possible for the etching on a PCB to come up if heat from the soldering iron is misapplied or applied too much.  While this is a real hassle, it should be possible to solve by bridging either with insulated wire(soldering one end to each side of the formerly-closed circuit path) or by some other means.
+One way to avoid this is to get a good desoldering tool.  RadioShack has a couple, one of which is a simple trigger-operated vacuum, and the other is a combination soldering-iron-and-vacuum with a squeezebulb for intake.  This seemed a bit strangely designed to me, plus it was 45 watts which would probably toast something.
+In short, it's best to get practice soldering before one messes up a MIDIBox CoreModule!
+PCBs for MIDIBox modules can be found at SmashTV's website http://mbhp.avishowtech.com as well as at a German site I can't remember the URL for.