Ok i did a quick dirty test and love the results!
I made the above in eagle and used my methods to create a pcb and these are the results…
The only bad one is the 0.08mm spaced one 🙂
Toner Transfer Test
Toner Transfer Joy
Ok here is a shot of a pcb which has 0.01in traces aka 0.254mm or 10mil and the smalled spacing is 0.27mm aka 10.63mil. I feel like testing the limits soon and posting results.
I love my method and tools!
MC34063A PCB
Making a little Boost pcb for lcds, using the MC34063A. I used the TFM (toner transfer method). I was going to leave it bare copper but instead tried a HASL type thing. Where i simply solder everything and desolder the pads using a desoldering braid.
STM32F0-Discovery
While I might be a little late in getting it, I finally have it. The STM32F0-Discovery Kit. This little board is awesome! Besides having a ton of usable I/O pins, it has pads for your own crystal (PTH or SMT) and has a nice speed on it with no crystal. You can get 48Mhz with a internal 8MHz OSC. and a 6x PLL!
It sports the STM32F051R8, Here is what I think makes it stand out.
ARM 32-bit Cortex®-M0 CPU (48 MHz max)
64 Kbytes of Flash memory
8 Kbytes of SRAM with HW parity checking
Up to 55 fast I/Os (Up to 36 I/Os with 5 V tolerant capability)
Up to 11 timers
It also has 96-bit unique ID… perfect for security in reprogramming prevention.
5-channel DMA controller
1 × 12-bit, 1.0 μs ADC (up to 16 channels)
One 12-bit D/A converter (yes! a DAC ) I can see composite video in the future 
As well as most other things you expect from a ARM type MCU. And its all packed on a nice PCB with a free Prototype PCB included! That should help a ton of people start off.
ST includes a on board programmer as usual. With the ability to use it as a standalone programmer. Which is awesome! Compared to the STM32F4-Discovery it’s a slight bit smaller but almost the same size.
PCB Creation
Hey everyone, i have been searching for a CHEAP PCB manufacture that will go down to 3 or 4 MIL spacing / trace but no luck. For that kind of specs your looking at $400+ for a small PCB…
So I took a wild shot and made a small MIL chart in eagle with 7 sizes:
16,12,10,7,5,3,1 (MIL)
To my surprise i can print 1 mil really well. Even tho you can not see it good in the picture i used a small 100x microscope and it looks nice! SOLID….
The 3MIL is even better and MORE SOLID so i am going to try and get into Photo Etching again ( it would be too hard to TONER TRANSFER 1MIL… Im off to ebay to search for some Negative Film to laminate onto a PCB and try out. Ill have to relearn the process but hopefully i will be able to do 3MIL!
If so then ill be in prototype heaven. I wouldnt mind doing a few vias by hand… If i can get 1MIL good then i can do way less vias!
But if anyone knows a PCB fab house that does BGA type PCBs cheap please do tell!
Upcoming Product…
Ok I have been sitting on some LPC1313 MCUs for about 2-3 months now with no use. I have only 3. So i plan to make only 2 PCBs for sale. 1 is for me for testing and such. I have a design already but need to get the silk screen finished and then ill order these. Might take some time to come in tho.
Here are some pictures of the prototype pcb so far. (3D Rendered Via Eagle3D & POV Ray)
It has a USB Connector… Can be used for Power… USB to UART…. which can also be used for a bootloader.
Also has a 1.27mm x 1.27mm pitch SWD (Serial Wire Debug) (2×5)
SSD1963.. dev…
Just because the actual creation of hardware is on hold doesnt mean development is… Here is the latest REVISION of my SSD1963 breakout… this breaks out EVERYTHING you will ever need… except the 8080 MCU choice… i assume and guess its the most popular or well only used type in these times.
The image below is HUGE.. While when this is done ill post a PCB file or perhaps some gerbers i will not post the actual SCH file since it took me so long to do.. if i can sell 2-4 of these then i will release the file… but i will release the SCH image and stuff like that but no EAGLE files (eagle 6.1.0 is what i used)… So be aware of that.
This PCB passes LAENs PCB service DRC (Design Rule Check)… So so far so good. I need to make the rest of the silk screen then double check stuff but its worth it… this breakout will let you get FULL use of this IC… so if you still want 8 bit, 16 bit or 24bit control… you got it… crystal will be swapable…and has jumpers for different types of oscillator setups…
Also added the VARIABLE output BOOST converter! This board will be a BASE or MOTHERBOARD for other LCD adapters… so you can plug and play to test and stuff. Then you can use my schematic to design your own custom board with LCD carrier and only the pins and setup you need.
NOTE: Passes DRC for : SEEEDSTUDIO, LAEN, ITEADSTUDIO
SSD1963 Delay…
Ok guys… GOOD and BAD news… i like saying the bad first because then the good picks me up…
BAD -> This project will be delayed 2 months…The delay is due to funding
GOOD -> In 2 months ill have enough funding to buy a bunch of the chips and boards and have some made and for sale. Also It gives me time to read and learn more and you can bet the more i know the more you will know.
SSD1963 Thoughts
Here is a non connected look of the SSD1963 breakout so far. Has changeable OSC settings and will breakout almost every pin!
Edit: Changed R2 to be of Variable type for variable Boost!(vr1)
Here is a Routed version. This is all hand routed. No AUTO ROUTE crap!
It will cost me $30.78 to get 3 of these PCBs! Expensive! Thats $10.26 for each PCB no parts or labor included. Imaging the $18 IC that goes on it.. lol that $28 not including shipping. Ill have to source the SSD1963 from china or something… i saw it at a supplier for $10 but i have to buy 10 pieces… so thats $100 for 10 ICs
Then add $30.78 * 3 (3 sets of 3 PCBS) = $192.34 for 9 PCBs and 10 SSD1983 Then i need 9 connectors for each 40 pin and 4 pin. Thats another $10, Misc parts is about $5 then shipping…Â So i put it at costing me $240-$250 to make 9-10 Fully populated boards! OMG im not rich! heh so that means if i make 9 Boards … to make my money back i have to sell them for $27.78.. to make profit i have to sell them for more…
So if you see these at my store for $35 you now have a good understanding. Also Linas gave me a link to one:
Its from Newhaven Display, its $35… so why buy mines? Well here are just a couple of reasons:
1) Mines is open source… always know what to replace if anything happens.
2) Mines has a variable power supply for powering different LED back light voltages.
3) Mines will be purple with gold plated goodness.
4) Mines has a THROUGH HOLE (0.1″ aka 2.54mm) breakout which means easier to test any LCD and any MCU.
5) Made in the USA.. (Only main SSD IC is from china)
6) Helps support more of my work which in turn helps all.
NOTE: I have to add the transistor for backlight control 🙂
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