44
votes
Accepted
What kind of tape is used to hold together electronics during shipping?
Probably clean-release/clean-removal strapping tape. Polypropylene with a rubber adhesive.
Eg. 3M 8896
42
votes
Accepted
Why use kapton tape?
If you go through all the trouble to test and qualify something, like tape: check it doesn't unstick after a few years leaving glue everywhere, doesn't shrink, loosen, harden, or crack even if the ...
- 81.7k
38
votes
How to secure cables to a PCB
Zip ties are a good way to provide strain relief for cables attached to a PCB. You lay out a path for the cable on the PCB, and put adequately large holes on either side of this path for the zip tie.
...
- 178k
32
votes
Why use kapton tape?
On top of being a good adhesive, it's chemically inert, thermally stable, and does not off-gas when it gets hot.
- 2,116
22
votes
Accepted
Is 0603 vs 0402 assembly mass production cost optimization still relevant?
Many assembly houses these days do 0402 with the same machines they do anything else, possibly using a different needle, though I'd suspect they'd be using the 0402 capable needle for 0603 and 0805 as ...
- 18.5k
19
votes
How to secure cables to a PCB
Cable ties are great. Just put two through holes in the PCB away from the connector.
There are also a variety of flat tie holders that can also facilitate zip ties. These can be pushed in or fastened ...
- 88.8k
16
votes
Why did Axial Capacitors Fall Out of Use in the Industry?
Single-sided PCBs frequently required the use of wire links to bridge over other tracks on the board. With a suitable circuit layout, the use of axial capacitors (rather than radial) could be used to ...
- 468
16
votes
Accepted
Is there any difference between Silicone and RTV
For electronics work you want "platinum cure", "addition-cure" or electronic grade silicone. "RTV" means "room temperature vulcanizing" and is a generic term ...
15
votes
Is 0603 vs 0402 assembly mass production cost optimization still relevant?
In 2017, 0402 is completely standard and no contract manufacturer will blink an eye, whether in prototype or mass production quantities.
You'll start to notice minor effects on yield and availability ...
- 6,195
12
votes
Accepted
Colliding fasteners in electronics retrofit project
From the comments:
The countersunk screw from beneath is a no-go, unfortunately. There's an assembly paradox here as well, the adaptor has to be installed before the new PCIe device can be attached ...
- 180k
12
votes
How to secure cables to a PCB
One very simple technique used on spaceflight PCBs (and thus good against vibration) for a small number of cables is to insert the wire through one hole, and solder the stripped end at a distance from ...
- 9,808
11
votes
Why did Axial Capacitors Fall Out of Use in the Industry?
My recollection of that era was that the selection, size and price of axial leaded electrolytic capacitors was not competitive, so I used radial lead caps in some cases where axial leaded would have ...
10
votes
Motor that allows threaded rod to pass through
There are "hollow shaft motors" similar to these. The inside of the shaft can be threaded (or a nut can be fitted inside) to make the motor itself travel along a matching threaded rod.
- 10.1k
10
votes
Accepted
Ways of improving USB-C mechanical durability
You can get shortened 'stub' type receptacles like this:
The idea is that you build the main support/connection for the outer shield of the plug yourself. For example, if you have an aluminium ...
- 5,117
8
votes
Is there any difference between Silicone and RTV
Cheap silicone is acidic (like vinegar) while GE's Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) is not, and is suitable for electronic anti-corrosive insulation on metals. The main features are thermal ...
- 148k
7
votes
Accepted
How do I assemble the mechanical parts of panel mount switch? (lock ring, lock washer, nut, etc)
There are a couple of options.
The "official" way is:
one nut first
locating ring, bent tab towards the panel, to fit in a hole in the panel
panel
lockwasher
second nut.
Edit: for a "cleaner" ...
- 60.7k
7
votes
Accepted
How can I re-assemble this cheap scale's LCD display?
The rubber strip has many parallel conducting wires across it, and will connect a set of contacts on the PCB to a set of contacts on the LCD display.
Place it properly between the PCB and the display ...
- 9,310
6
votes
Why did Axial Capacitors Fall Out of Use in the Industry?
Probably the most important reason is difficulties in automated assembly;
Wikipedia mentions this.
- 1,588
5
votes
Accepted
What is the usable area (for connectors) of a PCI Express card bracket?
According to the PCIe Card Electromechanical Specifications (CEM), we have the following specification for connector openings:
Image Source - CEM Spec rev 1.1, Section 6, Figure 6-2, page 73
So your ...
- 70.7k
5
votes
Is there any difference between Silicone and RTV
GE Silicone from hardware stores is always labeled either Silicone I or Silicone II. You'll find the type in very small print, often in an out-of-the-way location on the label. Silicone I releases ...
- 601
4
votes
Motor that allows threaded rod to pass through
I believe that many years ago I saw a motor spec sheet that featured a hollow, threaded shaft, and here is a modern one.
The problem is that you need some way to prevent the motor housing from ...
- 61k
4
votes
Is 0603 vs 0402 assembly mass production cost optimization still relevant?
I got word back from my preferred full service low volume vendor with both domestic and offshore capabilities. They said on average we could save 10% in assembly costs.
- 1,010
4
votes
best adhesive for FR4 to aluminum
This should be able to be "designed" with a reasonable degree of confidence either from theory alone or with a little experimental help.
The key parameters seem to be heatsink temperature, forces ...
- 152k
4
votes
Is there a motor design where a rotor gradually moves into a stater?
There IS such a motor design, but not for the purpose you are thinking of. In the crane industry, a company named Demag makes a conical rotor motor so that the act of energizing the motor creates ...
- 3,740
4
votes
Colliding fasteners in electronics retrofit project
Another thing you might explore is "binder screws." They have a very thin, flat head that, secured with a little superglue, could solve your clearance problem and make disassembly easier to boot:
- 929
3
votes
How to keep users from breaking push button switches
Arcade games have pretty robust switches, maybe start there. Crossing signal switches are another place to look.
A general approach would be to use a separate mechanical button with tough design that ...
- 58.3k
3
votes
Is there a motor design where a rotor gradually moves into a stater?
What you are doing with such a construction is weakening the field mechanically. It only makes sense at all for a motor with permanent magnets for field generation. If your field is created by an ...
- 14.4k
3
votes
Accepted
Indicator LED to Case - mechanical design
I would consider A acceptable- B and C are prone to failure by lifting pads if something presses on the LED. Only though if the LED is at a safe voltage relative to ground, because the LED insulation ...
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