In a similar vein, I discovered and have started using the Tag-Connect TC2030-USB to program/troubleshoot my boards. While it's technically/originally intended as a way to do JTAG debugging, I am completely enamored with the ability to drop a footprint on my PCB and be able to connect to it without having to place a relatively expensive connector (or a connector at all) that I don't necessarily want users interacting with.
That's cool but I am not sure how a customer of mine would feel if I shipped a board to them like that. (I could see trying it on a project for myself, though.)
Doesn't it require ENIG? I wanted edge connector for my pcb project but it adds $20 to the price of pcb, that's just too much. Anyone knows card edge alternative? I'm thinking pin header but that's not very user friendly. Edge card can be inserted blindly even if you don't see the connector, pin header would probably just bend irl.
ENIG sounds expensive right? Double the cost of your board or w/e? IMO it's no big deal because::
- A: If you want a 6 or more layer board at some places, you have to get ENIG anyway, and solving routing puzzles isn't my idea of fun.
- B: The PCB price is a small portion of the overall price anyway; parts and SMT dominate. So you're paying 2x as much on 15% of the total or w/e.
I've done HDMI edge connectors like this using plain HASL without too much trouble. Just don't forget to remove all soldermask on the connector path, they'll dirty out quickly otherwise.
But, now I do ENIG everywhere because it's often the same price as lead-free HASL (or so close it does not matter), while looking way cooler. I've started to take quite seriously leaded stuff now, especially since low temperature lead-free solder exists (SAC305).
This is very cool! What is the practical intent, given USB ports are 69c each? To save vertical space? I am thinking: Neat this is elegant and would work! But I can't think of any scenarios (off-the-cuff.) where I would choose this.
There are USB-A drives which do this, and in my experience they are far less durable than ones which have an actual connector. Given the thinness, this is going to be too easily snapped off.
Thanks for posting this! I have now updated the GitHub with test results for durability and to test PD capability. Have a look if you're considering using this!
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[ 6.5 ms ] story [ 109 ms ] threadhttps://www.tag-connect.com/solutions-target-devices/usb-ser...
They have FTDI versions as well, for those who want the full USB boot/reset treatment.
Also, they have another connector for attaching to castellated edges. I think it's just so clever.
https://forum.kicad.info/t/hdmi-pcb-edge-connector-for-raspb...
https://github.com/SimonMerrett/SOICbite/
But, now I do ENIG everywhere because it's often the same price as lead-free HASL (or so close it does not matter), while looking way cooler. I've started to take quite seriously leaded stuff now, especially since low temperature lead-free solder exists (SAC305).