SMD components

[24 track]

I know the love of tube ampsis formost , but have any of you ever done any work with SMD components?

I'm finding a lot of gear these days are a a hybrid of SMD and board through components , the SMD stuff I wont touch but I see the future on this stuff, as full sized components are being carried less by component stores.

things like specific transisiters, let alone custom electronics and chips are harder to source.

do any of you electronic gurus know of a good source for board through components that are very reasonable in price and quick shipping ?

what are your thoughts on SMD?
are there any good books on the working with them?
tooling up for them can and will be a Bich and expensive I can see that.

 

[tubelectron]

what are your thoughts on SMD?
are there any good books on the working with them?
tooling up for them can and will be a Bich and expensive I can see that.

We continue in the era of the irreparable disposable, only vaguely recyclable...

But it's me, OK ?

-tbln

 

[24 track]

We continue in the era of the irreparable disposable, only vaguely recyclable...

But it's me, OK ?

-tbln

I agree , what a waste , hey , wait for the day when all the componets are loaded onto a mylar film and not onto a PC board., its comming

 

[Jim603]

"24 track, post: 9445879, member: 115514"wait for the day when all the componets are loaded onto a mylar film and not onte a PC board., its comming

How would that work? The PCB is many layers, allowing for multiple circuits in the smallest space possible. Traces run through the different layers, allowing electrical connections between the devices mounted to each side of the PCB. If I'm understanding what you're saying, that will be replaced by single layer mylar? I don't get it.

 

[24 track]

How would that work? The PCB is many layers, allowing for multiple circuits in the smallest space possible. Traces run through the different layers, allowing electrical connections between the devices mounted to each side of the PCB. If I'm understanding what you're saying, that will be replaced by single layer mylar? I don't get it.

I was being fascitious ,
BUT, if there is a way some one will figure it out , plus 2 layers of insulated mylar would not be hard to do, look at how many transisters can fit on a single chip let alone how many devices like computers use mylar ribon cables.

but I was being, silly!

 

[Dreadnut]

Many smd components can be removed and replaced with a small hot air nozzle and a tweezers. But you will likely need some solder paste to get them re-soldered to the board. Many smd capacitors are built in layers, and are susceptible to cracking if touched with a hot soldering iron.

For a variety of reasons, smd boards are less likely to fail than through-hole boards, beginning with the construction of the bare boards. Depends on who is manufacturing the boards.

I used to have a sign in my office: "Buying quality parts is like buying oats; you can buy clean, fresh oats at a reasonable price, but you can get them cheaper if you don't care that they've already been through the horse."

 

[joeford]

i think they have a place.

it's pretty incredible what they can allow. analog delays in a 1590A... all your modeling amps... MIDI switchers... tuners... noise gates... couldn't happen without it.

but... i haaaate working on them. i actually google search layouts to avoid them in amps and pedals. but in some situations, where there's no other way, I'm grateful for them

 

[24 track]

some of the board I have worked on I have found faulty soldering techniques and cold soldered connections, but dang my eyeballs dont like the tiny parts

I have scouted Sample books on Ebay but they seem quite resonable for the price

(link removed)

 

[powerwagonjohn]

When I worked for a division of Control Data we built liquid nitrogen cooled super computers. Our propriety circuit boards were 47 layers thick with interconnects between layers. Don't even ask me how they did that! But I did see a couple burn all the way through the layers. Lots of amps going through the system when it was working.
Thanks John

 

[KT89]

I use SMD components exclusively when I can. The amp I'm building has an entire microcontroller circuit in it that would never fit without the use of the smaller components. Through hole components are only useful when you are doing prototype work that is going to need many component replacements and experimentation, such as in a tube amp main circuit or a pedal you plan on modding, or if you need high power dissipation. SMD components aren't hard to work with for repair, only for constant modding. If it's going to be left alone, it should be small IMO. As with anything, you need the right tools for the job (microscope, hot air, etc) but most of them can be done by hand with a standard iron and some flux.

 

[elpico]

I was being fascitious ,
BUT, if there is a way some one will figure it out , plus 2 layers of insulated mylar would not be hard to do, look at how many transisters can fit on a single chip let alone how many devices like computers use mylar ribon cables.

but I was being, silly!

Multi-layer flexible circuits are already a thing

 

[24 track]

Multi-layer flexible circuits are already a thing

I could see it happening so it doesnt surprise me , I'ld like to go back to school to learn more about all of this stuff , this one old fart that envies the young in this reguard , what technology you kids inheret is going to be mind blowing , use it well!

I posted this in an earlier thread a midi synth in a 5 pin din package , how cool is that!