A few days ago, the circuit boards that I designed has arrived. It was quite exciting because of the two boards that has been sent out, one of them was a very expensive experiment. Yes, it is the flexible PCB (aka flexPCB?) and like most projects that I have started, this is really another milestone. The flexPCB technology existed decades ago in a lot of Consumer electronics but this is the first time that it is available as a custom design. I am so happy with the experiment that I will definitely use this technology on one of my long-term designs as this concept WILL definitely allow me to re-capture the lost space inside the model.
THE PCBS
The cost for both PCBs this time is quite expensive because the MOQ for the flexPCB is about 75 and so, I had to take a risk. R&D is never cheap and I usually have problems getting back the financial investments. I chose this solution as not only is it the most logical choice for someone who does not have any knowledge in electronics, it is also the quickest. The alternative is to squeeze in 10 plus 31AWG wires on each side of the Cargo Wall which can take hours due to the delicate soldering.
On the left is the flexPCB which is used to light up both Cargo Bay walls while on the right would be the Main Control Board which has been re-designed to accommodate the Revell model.
Yeah, I am still sore about forgetting to click the PCB in black instead of the green. The board is 1.0mm thick compared to the flexPCB in the background which is about 0.11mm, thinner than a sheet of paper. For the next project, I will pay a little more and go for 0.2mm thickness.
The main board is sitting comfortably on the ceiling of the Revell Cargo Bay.
These are the four 2mm holes which I was so worried about. Without them, the Main Board would have failed.
THE DRILLING TEMPLATE
I will include the drilling template in the instructions so that you can drill the four 2mm holes as accurate as possible. This is to make sure the four LEDs do not block the pillars below.
Why the four holes? And why did I create a drilling template for them as well?
The four holes are for the four 2mm LEDs which not only lights up the ceiling where the two ramps are but also holds the PCB board in place.
LED TESTS
First test of the four 2mm warm-white LEDs. They do look bright and hopefully later, the dark paints would absorb most of the lighting.
Another angle of the four 2mm warm-white LEDs.
This is how the Revell Cargo Bay look at the moment. Note that the wall lights are yellowish because I did not drill out the holes and so, the LEDs are shining on the plastic. I don’t think it is supposed to be that bright but then again, I forgot to order more connectors and so, they are taking power direct from the 5volts power rails.
For the time being, the lights (yellow) at the twin ramp area is done, and so are the cargo bay walls (green). I need to get more connectors so that I can test the remaining LEDs such as the chin area and also, the cockpit. Yeah, the cockpit area is another challenge. I hope to have more budget later so that I can continue with the forward cargo wall/chin/landing bay lighting and also the restroom.
