Capturing schematics of a real device...

[Ilya]

Hey, guys!
I've got this small thingie on my table that I want to capture. Is there any fast way of doing this? Drawing it down doesnt seem to be very fast. The device is pretty small though, but has a double-sided pcb, a bunch of resistor/caps, a few transistors and ICs. Nohing special.
Any ideas?

 

[northsiderap]

Post some pics of your project

 

[adamasd]

Drawing it out is the fastest way. But with double sidded PCBs i generaly photocopy or scan both sides of the board and work off those. That way I can see bother sides at once and still have the original for reference.

adam

 

[Ilya]

[quote author="northsiderap"]Post some pics of your project[/quote]
Here we go!

I need to find a tool to unscrew that pcb though...

 

[Ian MacGregor]

I do occasional work consulting for a PCB design place in town. One of the things I do for them is reverse engineer PCBs. Usually someone has lost their gerber files of an old board and needs to make a few more. Here's what I usually do:

1. Try and trace as much as possible with the components still on the board. This can work well if the board is not super packed.
2. Remove all the components and scan the top and bottom layers of the board. I finish the schematic and then in my PCB layout software I can import the scans as layers, scale them properly and then just draw traces over the scans.

Ian

 

[Ilya]

Thanx, Ian!
This advice about layering is awesome! I don't think I'll be able to desolder everything from that PCB, but at least I can scan the lower part of it.

 

[Ian MacGregor]

[quote author="Ilya"]Thanx, Ian!
This advice about layering is awesome! I don't think I'll be able to desolder everything from that PCB... [/quote]

Hint: Use a blowtorch.

ian

 

[12afael]

Ian . what PCB software are you using?

I do some work on photoshop for a couple of pcb...
color replace is a great tool for some small work.

 

[BYacey]

Have you tried contacting Radial? Tell them you have this device that needs fixing and due to your location shipping it back for service isn't feasible. Usually most manufacturers will help you out.

 

[clintrubber]

I'm not sure what it's about here: repairing a broken unit ? Cloning ? General interest in how someone's own box is working ?

Bye,

Peter

 

[gtrmac]

I don't think there is any "fast" way to reverse engineer that thing.

At least it's not covered with epoxy 'goop' like some of the stuff people try to clone.

Please post the schematic when you're done though. :wink: