20290902 TR-595E JLCONE & Lower Interface v07

20290902 TR-595E JLCONE & Lower Interface v07

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Sometime between 6th of July and today, JLCPCB has introduced a new ‘thing’, which is called JLCONE. It is an App that you can (need?) to download to your Desktop and Mobile. OK, let’s just say, I NEED to download it as there is a very compelling reason if I want to continue developing and testing pre-production PCBs at an affordable rate. And for today’s post, my PCB would be from Arky’s TR-595E’s Lower Interface which was stuck in testing stage since August 2023. And I am sincerely hoping it would be the last re-design.

JLCONE

One can download both the Desktop App and from the Google Play Store. Very quickly, the Desktop App interface is no different from their Website. I always liked to view my Design either in 3D or through all the GERBER Layers. You need to remember that despite having both Desktop and Mobile App, you will still need Internet connection so that all the options you have selected would sync with the actual JLCPCB site.

The Mobile version is quite similar as far as board design options are concerned. It does not show you your board’s design once it has been uploaded. You cannot even view it in 3D or rummage through the GERBER layers as they are not there. All it does is just show you the name of the file. In other words, you need to finalize everything on your PC and after that, you either upload your design from there or transfer it to your Mobile. And then, for the finishing touch, select all the design options on your Mobile and send it. Mind you, this convenient option will cost you USD4.00. But if you do this from the Desktop App, the price is half of that; which is the original pre-JLCONE rate.

20290902 TR-595E JLCONE & Lower Interface v07
If you’re familiar with the Website, there is literally not much difference between it and the Desktop version once you have uploaded the GERBER file. Except now, the Calculated Price is back to USD2.00 instead of USD4.00.

JLCONE Mobile

After downloading the App from Google Play Store, I must say, it needs… improvement.

I realised there are two ways to get your GERBER file into the Mobile App. The first would be you keeping a copy in your Phone and then upload it. The Second, is for you to upload the same files either onto the JLCPCB Website or, through the Desktop App. Once you have done this, it will appear in your Phone. However, all this is for naught since you cannot examine the file itself nor manipulate it in 3D. It just tells you that the file has been uploaded.
USD4.00, Sir.
Please pay up

TR-595E Lower Interface

Three years ago, the last version was v04 and I still had not worked out the kinks yet. This is the problem with me, as I always end up complicating a simple design which spillover to affect its manufacturing deadline. I know its a Hobby but with so many ongoing Projects, it is a very bad habit.

Anyway, this is ver07, with the capacitive touch being tweaked even further. Instead of using a TTP224 touch capacitance IC, I decided to de-centralise them into individual TTP223’s. Yeah, it would use up four times the components. I have no strong reasons for this except in the hopes of isolating the interference. There are about 6 touch inputs (5 momentarily, 1 latching) which I have reduced to just 4, in momentary modes. In fact, I can just reduce it to only two; one for switching the light sequence, the other is to just make some sounds without triggering the rest of the circuit.

If this works, then I will create another similar version which, uses the 555/4017 circuit as not many would have the tools to program a PIC microcontroller. I’m also hoping to be able to use a simple buzzer for the sound. Since this is not an actual Prop, there is less concern about re-creating actual STNG sounds…

Lastly, I really do not want to use either 0805 or 1206 (or 1210) SMD LEDs for the ALPHA, BETA, GAMMA & DELTA indicators. If you overlay on top of them either with any translucent material, the short gap would highlight the hotspots generated. I can design them to be placed on the lower layer of the PCB but the hotspot would still be there.

Visually, there is not much difference to v06 except that all components are now located on the solder side plus the ALPHA, BETA, GAMMA & DELTA LEDs have been changed to the longer 7020 SMDs. I will be using these LEDs as alignment guides. Unfortunately, this creates a new problem since the tolerance between the LED placement and the available slot of the Lower Interface piece are tight. We’re talking about a 0.35mm gap on each side of the 2mm wide LED. I need to find a solution to fix the LEDs from moving during soldering. Maybe, the only way would be to use reflow soldering. It’s not perfect but I hope it works.
There are about five square holes for the LEDs which was not included in the original design. And there are no holes available for them in the Lower Interface .stl file. So, by creating solder links SJ1 & SJ2, and placing these ‘extra’ LEDs on the solder side, the user can decide if they want to light them up or not. Not only that, if I extend this concept to other LEDs, the PCB would indirectly become a light mask so you would not need to spray the Lower Interface fascia black. Hmmm…
I prefer uniform lighting for the four Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta indicators just like the original MkVII props. Therefore, sourcing a LED of the correct size is quite challenging. The 020 versions are half the size and creates hotspots. As such, there are no 6020 LEDs in existence nor will they come in green. And so, the 7020 was the next best thing, except that soldering them down to their correct place is going to be a pain in the butt.
This is the dimension of the 7020 SMD LED. The windows of the four indicator are 7.0mm (w) by 2.7mm (h). If I hand solder the component, the excess solder might interfere with the placement of the printed Lower Interface part on top of it. I have mulled the idea of placing the component on the solder side but because it has no mechanical anchor, when the solder deteriorates after some time, the 7020 LED will eventually loosen and come off.

EaglePCB Layers

Essentially, the design of a PCB is akin to drawing interconnected lines from one electronic component to another. And to me, the Software or CAD as everyone likes to call it, is just another Art Program that lets you draw accurate lines in different layers and the lets you connect them like those Powerpoint flow chart shapes. EaglePCB and other PCB CADs has these feature as basic and more. They allow you to design anything from a single-side PCB to double and even six.

Each PCB Layer has it’s own properties and if you want to know more, head over to Lu Lu’s Blog.

Posted in 3D FIles, 3D Printing, A Piscean Works Blog, Computers, Design, Electronics, JLCPCB.

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