PRR Position Light Signal - Chapter 2

[bradb]

I've never heard anyone mention oshpark before.

OSH Park initially started as the dorkbotpdx (http://dorkbotpdx.org/) Group PCB order as a way for local makers to have quality PCBs produced fairly cheaply and quickly.  I've seen other posters here use OSH Park - you can usually tell based on the color of the PCB.  They are almost always purple (unless someone pays extra to have a panel a special color).

Sorry for the thread drift.

If the thickness of the PCBs are still a problem I'd suggest checking out Hackvana (http://www.hackvana.com/store/). 

You'll have to order more PCBs at once but 0.8mm PCBs are the same price as 1.6mm (.6mm to 1.6mm is actually the same price; they offer .4mm but the price does increase).  I believe the price is actually slightly less than OSH Park (assuming that you panelize the PCBs - if you can't do this Hackvana will for an extra $20) but you'll have to place a larger order.  They also offer stainless stencils for those who like them.

I've used Hackvana as well as OSH Park and find them both to be excellent resources; OSH Park is better (cheaper) for prototypes but once you're ready for production Hackvana is cheaper for volume.

Regards,

Brad.

[railnerd]

I've had decent luck with seeedstudio Fusion PCB service as well.

They offer PCB thickness down to 0.6mm.

The 1.6mm PCB deal from them is 10X 5cmx5cm 2 layer PCBs for $10.'

options are adders.

-Dave

[C855B]

>...Hackvana...

Thanks for the lead. I haven't done online PCB work for nearly 10 years (Express PCB was the last one I used, IIRC), so have not refreshed my palette of suppliers. Hackvana's 0.4mm material should work OK for target-mounted LEDs, but since they also process 0.2mm for multi-layer work I might ask if they can make it available standalone.

What are you guys using for software?

[railnerd]

What are you guys using for software?

I use EAGLE (http://www.cadsoftusa.com)

-Dave

[bradb]

What are you guys using for software?

Like Dave, I use Eagle.  However I have been playing with KiCad (http://www.kicad-pcb.org/display/KICAD/KiCad+EDA+Software+Suite).

Doesn't have near the available libraries that Eagle does but it is Open Source (and does seem to be gaining popularity).

Regards,

Brad.

[MichaelWinicki]

I ordered and just received some of these signal heads thru Shapeways...

I think they're pretty slick!

I too had ordered the ones Traincat made available and while those look like exceptional products there's a whole lot of bending, fitting and soldering that I did not want to do. 

I can see though trying to use these guys as operational signals that crews have to follow will be a challenge.  Unless you're looking directly at the face the signal head, they could be a real bugger to see.

[towl1996]

I got the shapeways ones as well, and would like to see a board made to fit them. However, twenty bucks per board isn't that exciting, not saying they're not worth that, I'm just being cheap. Maybe they could be offered in kit form, therefore cheaper.

[nscaleSPF2]

I can see trying to use these guys as operational signals that crews have to follow will be a challenge.  Unless you're looking directly at the face the signal head, they could be a real bugger to see.

I can understand your point, Michael.  An earlier version had much shorter hoods for the lights, but was voted down in favor of the current version, which is fairly close to the prototype.  You don't have to be exactly in front of the signal to see it, either.

I got the shapeways ones as well, and would like to see a board made to fit them. However, twenty bucks per board isn't that exciting, not saying they're not worth that, I'm just being cheap. Maybe they could be offered in kit form, therefore cheaper.

Agree that $20 per board is not a good solution.  Have been giving the kit approach some serious thought.

David Cutting, any progress on your end?

[MichaelWinicki]

I can understand your point, Michael.  An earlier version had much shorter hoods for the lights, but was voted down in favor of the current version, which is fairly close to the prototype.  You don't have to be exactly in front of the signal to see it, either.

Any idea on the viewing angle?

Suggestions for the pole & ladder?

[nscaleSPF2]

Any idea on the viewing angle?

Now you're getting technical, Michael.  Let me take some measurements, and I'll post them here.

Suggestions for the pole & ladder?

I bought some from Ben at benscale.com.  I hope he is still in business. 

TrainCat also sold kits that included the mast and ladder, if you can find any of those.

There may also be other sources.

[nscaleSPF2]

Michael, does this help?  It's a photo from the original post.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=28968.75

[VonRyan]

If for $20 I get a pre-assembled/wired board that is way thinner than 1/16th of an inch, then it's worth it.
I'd rather not have chunky signals, but also not have to assemble and etched-brass kit.

[MichaelWinicki]

Michael, does this help?  It's a photo from the original post.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=28968.75

Thanks Jim!

I would still consider making the hoods smaller.  I don't think most people could tell any difference and it would improve visibility.

[nscaleSPF2]

I would still consider making the hoods smaller.  I don't think most people could tell any difference and it would improve visibility.

Michael, how much shorter would you like to see the hoods?  1/2, 1/3, 1/4 of the current length?

[MichaelWinicki]

Michael, how much shorter would you like to see the hoods?  1/2, 1/3, 1/4 of the current length?

If it were me, I would reduce them by 1/2.