How often do you make some totally dumb mistakes in your projects ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Miyuki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2020, 04:06:50 pm
content: Just wan to ask if you have also problem with totally obvious mistakes in your projectsLike I done now, I just rotate this Opto Triacs and what happened, of course I have reverse polarity at inputAnd of course I have finished soldered board and looking why it does not workThankfully it can be solved with one bodge wire and software tweak, but still annoyingYes I know I shouldn't rotate them and use proper layout, but I wanted all mains lines at left sideHow often do you left some totally dumb things in your design and find them late ?

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2020, 04:24:20 pm
content: On average about once a project.Most of my dumb mistakes are mechanical, things like a chassis that won't fit together because a connector on the back panel is too close to the edge, or making a complex PCB and forgetting to have mounting holes.The latest class of aircraft carrier being built in the USA exists entirely in software so that they can check that everything fits together before someone cuts the steel and shapes it, I need something like that.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2020, 11:29:28 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on January 19, 2020, 04:24:20 pmI would so like to know whether in practice that approach increases or decreases the rate of physical things not fitting.Because you know, software, GIGO...One can imagine some very funny results of scaling errors. Complete working model of an aircraft carrier, that fits in a bottle? But cost a trillion dollars. "It was really expensive, making all those microscopic parts and assembling them. No idea why someone wanted a tiny ship, but hey it's a military contract. Not our job to ask questions."I make at least one serious mistake in almost every project. Deciding to start it.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2020, 11:34:00 pm
content: I also seem to make them about once a project, but usually it's something I can fix.Wasn't the 757 one of the first aircraft to be designed entirely in CAD? I don't recall hearing of any issues that came up with that process but of course I was not there.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2020, 03:07:47 am
content: planning and lots of breaks. Simple jobs require concentration.This tends to dwindle.Alot of mistakes also come from elitism, the idea that certain jobs are easy (i.e. hookup). Mistakes go down when you work slow. Something that helps is separate areas, i.e. do wire work on one table, assembly soldering on another table, mechanical assembly on another one.... and resist using your electronics workstation soldering iron to do assembly (the benches will keep the good habits).The all inclusive work station is a bit like being drunk IMO. But you pay with space.I hate doing 'control systems' and precision work downstairs, but downstairs is excellent for cable/wire/crimping, mechanical assembly, 'simple' repair and oddly enough RF test work (not board level but like assembled module level, since its all coaxials and DC rails). Everyone that sees it thinks im crazy until they break equipment working clutter etc (I feel like repair jobs are likely to 'hault' a work bench because of parts order waiting).Also learn how to make cable harnesses and figure out how to store them well (i.e. good wire choices) for projects, not rely on alligator clips.. its actually a small cost