Chuck:
Indeed the machined baseplate width is just 141mm and the cavity is 126mm wide. I would NOT recommend any PCB to be that full width, that it be no wider than 140mm, so theoretically you could have a PCB that is 140x180mm. Perhaps that can be another iteration. (I did not deal with the PCB at all in this round.) Not tonight honey, I've slugged at this beast for six hours today, enough already!
Dick Jansson, KD1K [email protected] [email protected]
-----Original Message----- From: Chuck Green [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, 17 October, 2007 21.46 To: Dick Jansson-rr Cc: Bob Davis; AMSAT Eagle Subject: Re: [eagle] Updated Module
Hi Dick,
This is a good step forward.
I had in mind making the PCB wider so that it extends over the entire length of the base plate on each side. It seems to me that you could then make the PCB mounting points less intrusive into the cavity below the PCB. It looks like I still have that option even if you don't change the mounting points (true?). And I think that would also better support the PCB and allow for more thermal contact between the PCB and the base.
I see that you have more mounting points per linear distance for the cover than for the PCB. Is this based on vibration modeling?
Also note that the depth of the cavity below the posts is 6.35mm, save for in the very center where there is an attachment for the connector plate that is located 0.75mm below the PCB for a space in the center that is 10mm wide by 6mm deep from the connector plate. I was loathe to locate such a piece here but felt the need for a third attachment for the connector plate.
Please reconsider this. It will cause considerable restriction on where connectors can be located that are also soldered to the PCB. Connector space/flexibility is a *major* issue.
Chuck