PCb with turret ?

[BOWMusic]

This a prototype board for my new amp build BOW Morse 6V6(3 12ax7, 1 6v6gt, 5W) with solid relays. It's a mess I know, so I'm thinking to design a PCB board, but the PCB boards are not friendly for repairing and modifying, What about a hybrid approch? PCB with turret ? PCB for control components only? What do you think? Dose anyone have a better idea?

[Latole]

Hybrid approch ? Why not, this is a good idea.

[JB]

Some amp builders do this.  Have a look at gutshots of the Marshall Astoria.

[acheld]

Interesting problem.  Is this for personal use? Or will you be making multiples . . .

PCBs are primarily designed with manufacturing efficiency in mind as well as circuit integrity, and as such are usually constrained to be built in 2 dimensions.  The problem you have is that you have built your circuit in 3D (and I should add that it looks cool, whatever the tone it makes), so if you're going to lay out a PCB it will likely be quite large.  Perhaps by incorporating all of the SS components onto the PCB, and by using a double sided approach you can do this efficiently.

Truth is, your decisions will be all about what trade-offs you are willing to make.  Virtually every engineering decision weighs one factor against another -- strength vs weight, voltage rating vs size vs cost, compactness vs repairability, etc.

I'd be interested in the form your final result takes . . .

[Keppy]

That board looks like a job for a PCB to me.

The problem you have is that you have built your circuit in 3D (and I should add that it looks cool, whatever the tone it makes), so if you're going to lay out a PCB it will likely be quite large.

Maybe, but not necessarily. Having traces to connect components means the component leads can be cut much shorter. This creates space between components compared to a turret layout, which can make up (in part, in whole, or in excess) for the vertical space lost. In this particular design, the small PCBs could be eliminated if the relays are mounted on the main board, getting rid of lots of wires and awkward corners.

I'm thinking to design a PCB board, but the PCB boards are not friendly for repairing and modifying...

The better amp PCBs I've seen have plated-through holes, making them function like an eyelet board. Not so bad for repair, especially since components don't share holes in most PCB designs. Modding can be a problem though, if it's anything more complicated than replacing a component with a different one.


To me, the biggest problem with a PCB is prototyping before you order. You don't want to be stuck with a bunch of boards where the layout causes oscillation. If it were me I'd probably build a home-etched PCB to test my layout before ordering, but that's sacrificing a bunch of time and components on something that you know is going to be less reliable than a quality board. It's not really worth it unless you're going to build a bunch of these.

[acheld]

That board looks like a job for a PCB to me.

Absolutely correct if this project is to be sold at any significant volume.

If it is be a one-off, it'll be a labor of love . . . whatever the form it takes.

[BOWMusic]

Thanks for all your advices, I now decide to go with full PCB approach . I will post the final result here .

[kagliostro]

If small dimensions isn't a must, why don't consider to split it in modules ?

Something like your current board but splitted in modules (each one larger than your current spacing realization)

Consider that a junction that is on PCB can't be changed, with modules solution you can swap an entire module if it don't perform

also, connections, being realized with wire instead of traces on PCB, can change path in an easy way

my friend works this way

Franco

[Latole]

If small dimensions isn't a must, why don't consider to split it in modules ?

Something like your current board but splitted in modules (each one larger than your current spacing realization)

Consider that a junction that is on PCB can't be changed, with modules solution you can swap an entire module if it don't perform and connections, being realized with wire, can change path in an easy way

my friend works this way

Franco

Great !

For servicing, easier to remove and disconnect a small PCP than a bigger one

[echuta13]

If small dimensions isn't a must, why don't consider to split it in modules ?

Franco

I really like the concept on this.  I've done some modular sections in the past, but never really went fully down the rabbit-hole.

One way around the dimension problem is going vertical with the boards (which does increase the chassis height of course).TIMBO has done some chassis work that very much reminds me of the older Valco styles that would work really well for vertical boards and shrink the space needed. 
The front panel control knobs could go vertical as well which would open up spacing too.The other nice aspect of going vertical is that you can use both sides of the board for component mounting and wiring. 
I would probably consider placing localized power filter caps on each module as well.  Just food for thought.