Assembling techniques of circuit schematics
It is imperative that all the individual components that go into the specific schematic should be properly connected with one another with the help of a conducting wire as per the circuit diagram to establish electrical connectivity and thereby they begin to function as expected. On the other hand, If the connections are made by simply twisting the metallic leads of the components with one another, then there are every possibility that the twisted leads may get damaged and breaking the connection with the body of the component. Especially the metallic leads of the delicate components such as diodes, transistors are liable to be damaged very easily and the components become useless causing heavy losses.
Primitive assembly technique
It is quite interesting to know how in the primitive days, electronics circuit schematics were assembled to put the assembly to work. First they did it as hanging type. In this assembling method, circuit elements were just connected with wires by twisting the leads and kept wide open all the components. The assembly was a hanging one with the support of components body, then the assembled unit was placed on the table and operated by energising the circuit with suitable batteries. For this lose wires were used. This was possible as the circuit contained a fewer number of simple components. This made the assembly flat and held over a table top to keep it in a stable position.
Lookout for improved assembly set up
Hence a demand arose to find a suitable method of assembly of components which is reliable, easy, less complicated and that can accommodate most of the electronic components. To make the assembly flat and hold to a stable position, varieties of approaches were adopted. One such approach adopted by electronic enthusiasts in the beginning days was open assembly system.
Electronic breadboard
An interesting and fruitful assembling technique was using metallic nails on the wooden plank. The wooden plank used for this assembling purpose was real breadboard. Metal nails were fixed on the breadboard in an orderly fashion through which the discrete components were connected. Component terminals were either fastened to the nails through metallic wires or directly soldered for making joints. That is why the board is called electronic breadboard.
Thus the assembly became somewhat stable and served the purpose. Then the entire assembly hanged loose and this method served only as temporary alternative.
Experience
I too adopted this technique in the early days of assembling electronic projects.
About 4 to 5 inches length of copper wires were used for that purpose. One end of the wire was wrapped and twisted over one end of the terminal and the other end was fastened or wrapped to the nail. As such all the discrete components that goes into the circuit schematic were wrapped and tied to the nails strictly based on the circuit design. Thus electrical contacts were made among the individual components with the other associated circuit elements. To my wonder it worked fantastically as if the components were soldered to the nails for firm joints. Here a small piece of wires called jumper wires were used for interconnection. Of course this type of assembling with nails were used too for simple circuits with fewer number of components. It is interesting to mention here that small reflex type transistor radios and some other small utility circuits were assembled in this approach successfully.
Thus wooden breadboards fixed with metallic nails and sometimes lug strips came into existence. On this breadboard component leads are fixed to the terminals and interconnected with jumper wires. Of course very simple basic schematic circuits can only enjoy these types of assembly work.
Limitations
These types of assembly works are easy, simpler and cost effective. However, they are suitable only to very small schematic diagrams with very few electronic components say 3 or 4 components that too with no complicated items. A slightly bigger or complicated circuit schematics with more components are not at all suitable to assemble in this way. Especially sophisticated and sensitive components like Transistors, Diodes, ICs (integrated circuits/chips) etc. cannot be assembled in this type of point to point assembly.
Outlook
In the coming post we shall explore more avenues of modern assembling methodologies, its advantages and dis-advantages. Hope to discuss in my next. Please feel free to comment and share the information with others.
Lookout for improved assembly set up
Hence a demand arose to find a suitable method of assembly of components which is reliable, easy, less complicated and that can accommodate most of the electronic components. To make the assembly flat and hold to a stable position, varieties of approaches were adopted. One such approach adopted by electronic enthusiasts in the beginning days was open assembly system.
Electronic breadboard
An interesting and fruitful assembling technique was using metallic nails on the wooden plank. The wooden plank used for this assembling purpose was real breadboard. Metal nails were fixed on the breadboard in an orderly fashion through which the discrete components were connected. Component terminals were either fastened to the nails through metallic wires or directly soldered for making joints. That is why the board is called electronic breadboard.
Thus the assembly became somewhat stable and served the purpose. Then the entire assembly hanged loose and this method served only as temporary alternative.
Experience
I too adopted this technique in the early days of assembling electronic projects.
About 4 to 5 inches length of copper wires were used for that purpose. One end of the wire was wrapped and twisted over one end of the terminal and the other end was fastened or wrapped to the nail. As such all the discrete components that goes into the circuit schematic were wrapped and tied to the nails strictly based on the circuit design. Thus electrical contacts were made among the individual components with the other associated circuit elements. To my wonder it worked fantastically as if the components were soldered to the nails for firm joints. Here a small piece of wires called jumper wires were used for interconnection. Of course this type of assembling with nails were used too for simple circuits with fewer number of components. It is interesting to mention here that small reflex type transistor radios and some other small utility circuits were assembled in this approach successfully.
Thus wooden breadboards fixed with metallic nails and sometimes lug strips came into existence. On this breadboard component leads are fixed to the terminals and interconnected with jumper wires. Of course very simple basic schematic circuits can only enjoy these types of assembly work.
Limitations
These types of assembly works are easy, simpler and cost effective. However, they are suitable only to very small schematic diagrams with very few electronic components say 3 or 4 components that too with no complicated items. A slightly bigger or complicated circuit schematics with more components are not at all suitable to assemble in this way. Especially sophisticated and sensitive components like Transistors, Diodes, ICs (integrated circuits/chips) etc. cannot be assembled in this type of point to point assembly.
Outlook
In the coming post we shall explore more avenues of modern assembling methodologies, its advantages and dis-advantages. Hope to discuss in my next. Please feel free to comment and share the information with others.
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