Post to bridge stacked PCBs? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: iXod
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2023, 05:14:54 am
content: When a design requires that 2 PCBs be separated by less than 1/2 inch (~12 mm), or so, and a circuit be joined across this gap, often a post is soldered between vias on each board. Typically many of these posts are used which also make a physical support between the boards. Sometimes these are soldered to one board and pin "sockets" are soldered to the other board which make it possible to split the boards when desired.Not necessary to be soft or bendable.I'm trying to find this type of wire/post, approximately 0.05 inch (1.29 mm), preferably square, small prototype quantities.What is this called? Source?Thanks.

author: cantata.tech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2023, 05:52:02 am
content: It's a lot of work for others to search online catalogs and give you selections of products, that merely cost cents or under a dollar.However you aren't out of luck.I suggest you buy a 3D printer because it's just so much fun making parts like that. It's amazing what you can do.If you don't have the budget for that, you can perhaps buy some metal-tube and some thread-taps.It depends on how many you want.Another way is to junk hunt the dumpster with the electronic junk and they're probably on existing units that people are throwing out.

author: TomS_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2023, 09:28:51 am
content: I have more typically seen standoffs used to support boards, and some kind of board to board or other connector system in between. Can be 0.1" pin headers and sockets with the right dimensions to bridge the gap, or ribbon cables, or flat flexes, or specific high frequency connectors depending on the exact application...If you are going to solder wires to each board as e.g. a cost saving measure (connectors can be expensive), perhaps dont double them up as supports, and keep them contained along one edge or in one area so that you can at least open the stack up if need be.Soldering pins or supports between the boards to keep them separated and also route signals is going to make it a nightmare to probe and debug if required. Assembly and disassembly will be tough, and will eventually damage the boards if it has to be done more than a couple of times. So at least try to design your boards so that functionality is compartmentalised at the board level and they can be operated independently of each other for e.g. testing during manufacturing.

author: fchk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2023, 01:23:02 pm
content: Quote from: iXod on February 03, 2023, 05:14:54 amMezzanine Connectors.Suggestion: Molex SlimStack 501527.https://www.molex.com/molex/products/family/slimstack_fine_pitch_smt_board_to_board_connectorshttps://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/pcb_receptacles/5015270530fchk

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2023, 05:15:35 pm
content: Quote from: iXod on February 03, 2023, 05:14:54 amYou just mean headers, but bigger than the usual 0.1” pitch?Yeah, they make those. You can find them e.g. on Digi-Key, in the male headers. Then select a larger pitch, like 3.81 or 3.96mm. Here’s a saved search:https://www.digikey.com/short/rp3mh2v3

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2023, 05:16:23 pm
content: Quote from: fchk on February 03, 2023, 01:23:02 pmI think they mean the opposite: muchlargerthan usual, like 0.05” pin size, not pitch.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2023, 02:50:20 am
content: https://www.mill-max.comThey have a pretty usable product selector, and are stocked well at the usual distributors.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2023, 12:26:27 pm
content: molex, AMP, Berg old line USA vendorsSamTech has a,wide line and great catalog.May even have samples.https://www.samtec.com/connectorsUsed them many timesJon

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2023, 02:26:42 am
content: Tektronix had some assemblies like that using individual square pins which went completely through an individual square "socket" on the other board, but I have no idea what they were called or where they got them.