Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cornell!uw-beaver!microsoft!gordonl
From: gordonl@microsoft.UUCP (Gordon Letwin)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Printed Circuit Boards
Summary: Quick and easy z-wires
Keywords: Plotter
Message-ID: <373@microsoft.UUCP>
Date: 26 Jan 89 22:57:09 GMT
References: <4115a910.14dd6@c>
Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA
Lines: 28

In article <4115a910.14dd6@c>, bauer@procase.UUCP (Jerry Bauer) writes:
> 
> The first IDEA occurred when I decided to write a p.c.  board drafting
> program for my Apple //e.  I figured it would be easier to draw it there
> than with the tape and stuff, and run it off on my plotter.  

If you have a 300 DPI laser printer you can do a good job direct to it.
My boards are sufficienly simple that I don't need auto layout, I just
need the drafting services of a simple program to generate the patterns
on an HP LaserJet II

> So, does anybody have a quick, cheap way to do plated-through holes?

Sintek electronics sells a hand operated gizmo that takes a "belt" of
little plated pieces of metal.  When you operate it it "injects" a
metal rod into a PCB hole.  Bottom line is that it's a fast and easy
way to do Z-wires.  The studs supposedly hold themselves in by mechanical
pressure, so although they have to be soldered it should be a simple
and reliable operation.  Not as nice as plate through, especially since
plate through makes component soldering so much more reliable, but
it sounds a step up from z-wires.  I ordered one of these, If anyone is 
interested, email and I'll report on it's value after it arrives.

Naturally, I'm also very interested in real plated through holes.  Does
anyone have any pointers or advice on what it might cost to have this
done, in small batches, presumably by a PCB service company?

	Gordon Letwin