Let's build a CTPCI!

[markus0321]

Hi.
Are these attached gerber files complete or just outer layers without power and ground?
I tried to order for production and it only detects that there are 2 layers, is this correct?
Edit:
Sorry, I didn't read that you are still working on the inner layers...
But these PCBs look so nice that I was tempted to check them in JLCPCB

[foft]

Ctpci has 4 layers
Ctpci slots has 2 layers

Pretty sure pcbway detects the inner layers fine

[markus0321]

Ctpci has 4 layers
Ctpci slots has 2 layers

Pretty sure pcbway detects the inner layers fine

In fact, PCBWAY detects layers correctly, but it is more than twice as expensive there as in JLCPCB.
So I can order these boards at PCBWAY for testing, or maybe you will still improve these gerber files?

[foft]

I wasn’t going to edit them more, unless the pcb does not work. I guess its just a case of renaming the inner layers to the one jlcpcb expects.

[markus0321]

I wasn’t going to edit them more, unless the pcb does not work. I guess its just a case of renaming the inner layers to the one jlcpcb expects.

The file names were actually wrong. Instead of the extension g1 I changed to gl2 and g2 to gl3 and it loaded correctly.
Thank you for help.
I wonder if this will work....

[foft]

Getting there. Lots of 0603s last night, doing these by hand without paste - all the 0.1uFs and the 8.2Ks. Board now covered in flux!

Just a few more small parts to go, then onto the chips and the SMD headers. After which it'll need a good clean!

0603_cap_8.2k_ohm_bottom.JPG (189.7 KiB) Viewed 2068 times

0603_cap_8.2k_ohm_top.JPG (192.04 KiB) Viewed 2068 times

[foft]

Time for these chaps:

pci9504.JPG (292.06 KiB) Viewed 2060 times

My method (getting better but still a relative beginner) is:
Stick them down with tape in place:

kaptop_9054.JPG (173.89 KiB) Viewed 2060 times

Tack the corners with a big blob of solder!:

blobs.JPG (198.57 KiB) Viewed 2060 times

Put tacky flux the whole way along:

secret_weapon.JPG (127.23 KiB) Viewed 2060 times

Drag solder, watching on this:

microscope.JPG (169.82 KiB) Viewed 2060 times

Then for bridges remove excess with some braid and if it's not too much excess another blob of flux will usually help it out some!

Here is the result, still needs a good clean but getting there:

top_all_but_headers.JPG (176.22 KiB) Viewed 2060 times

bottom_all_but_headers.JPG (182.37 KiB) Viewed 2060 times

[HigashiJun]

Nice progress !

Hope the final result will be good.

[alexh]

PLX. I used to work for them designing PCIe chips

[HigashiJun]

@foft

Oh, and by the way, if you later want to sell your surplus, I'm in for one CTPCI (in kit or built).

Cheers.