how to hold PCBs at right angles to each other?

[Michael]

Have you priced 3-axis accelerometers
rather than trying to build your own?

If only it were that simple!

 

[Mark Zenier]

Maybe I wasn't specific enough... They need to be at exactly 90
degrees to each other. A degree error would be very significant...

How can you insure that the critical part on the boards are aligned
level? Laminate isn't that precise a material.

I'd take a machinists gauge block, glue the critical parts to it, and the
find some way to solder the boards to that. With some other support to
the boards so they don't stress the connection to the critical parts.

Mark Zenier [email protected]
Googleproofaddress(account:mzenier provider:eskimo domain:com)

 

[Jasen]

Hi - I am working on a board where I will have three PCBs at right
angles to each other. Thus they'll have one common corner and three
shared edges. These boards need to be exactly at right angles to each
other, and they can't be allowed to move. Are there any premade
solutions for holding boards at right angles to each other? Surely
something like this exists?

edge connectors. right-angle pin headers, slot-and-tab board outlines....

Bye.
Jasen

 

[Jasen]

This would work if I didn't have as stringent of accuracy
requirements. They need to be at 90 degrees plus or minus a tenth of a
degree or so. Initial production numbers will be fairly low (~100) so
they will be hand assembled.

clamp them to a known good cube, and then solder them.

one of those cheap glass papwerweight crystals
might be cubic enough, or you may have to get somthing made.


Bye.
Jasen

 

[MooseFET]

clamp them to a known good cube, and then solder them.

one of those cheap glass papwerweight crystals
might be cubic enough, or you may have to get somthing made.

How about a cube of G10? Basically, you can have a 3D circuit board.

 

[Nico Coesel]

Hi - I am working on a board where I will have three PCBs at right
angles to each other. Thus they'll have one common corner and three
shared edges. These boards need to be exactly at right angles to each
other, and they can't be allowed to move. Are there any premade
solutions for holding boards at right angles to each other? Surely
something like this exists?

I once took an IBM PSU apart. It had a PCB inside which had a 90
degree bend in it with tracks running over the bend (1.5mm epoxy FR4
material). I only have a few regrets throwing that board away is one
of them

 

[David L. Jones]

Hi - I am working on a board where I will have three PCBs at right
angles to each other. Thus they'll have one common corner and three
shared edges. These boards need to be exactly at right angles to each
other, and they can't be allowed to move. Are there any premade
solutions for holding boards at right angles to each other? Surely
something like this exists?

Thanks!

-Michael

I once mounted a PCB at right angles in the middle of another PCB by
using a routed slot in the base board, with the vertical board having
a couple of tight fitting pins going through the board near the bottom
edge so the vertical board rested on these pins which were then
soldered. Was used for a 3-axis accelerometer and worked well. This
was for a very small board though so warping was not a an issue.

Dave.