The map is not the territory

I don't make the PCB. It's made on an automated manufacturing line in Schenzhen. I only make the design - the map - and the physical object is something else. It's easy to forget this, and screw up.

Here's the design for the GD3X Dazzler Arduino carrier board. Dazzler itself is a generic module, and there will be multiple adapters for different platforms. This one is for Arduino-type platforms, and it holds the Dazzler, a level-shifter, a microSD slot, and two connectors for Nintendo Wii Classic controllers.


2D renderings like this work really well when building up a design. But how can you check that it will all fit? One way is to get a 3D rendering of the PCB and see if it makes sense.

But to check for fit properly you also need accurate 3D models of the Arduino, the Wii controller plugs, plus every component on the board and the mounting hardware. Oh, and besides the Arduino R3 I really want to make sure it fits with the Adafruit Metro M4, so I need to find or make a complete 3D model of that as well. This is sounding like a lot of work.

Fortunately because this board is made using my new CAD-less tools, it's straightforward to make a physical mockup out of laser-cut acrylic. The tools just emit the SVG at the same time as they generate the Gerbers. I'm using K40-whisperer to drive a laser cutter. Cut lines are red and silkscreen is blue

60 seconds of lasering later, and the outline is done


All the dimensions are the same, so every screw, header and accessory can be tried for size. Including the dual Wii-classic controllers, which look more than a little cramped when inserted. It's good to find this stuff out early -- it took a couple of minutes to fix the problem and cut another board.


All attached. Now everything seems to fit nicely.


Uploading the board to JLCPCB, it all looks as expected.

With luck, the real boards will be here next week. Thanks for reading.