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ADXL210
Jan 12, 2007 18:09:23 GMT 10
Post by michaelg on Jan 12, 2007 18:09:23 GMT 10
Hi guys, My ADXL210 accelerometer has arrived. The thing is tiny! Has anyone used these before? I'm wondering what the best way to mount it is - there are no pins, and i'm worried about soldering it in case it gets damaged  Cheers, Michael |
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ADXL210
Jan 15, 2007 9:48:03 GMT 10
Post by Robotman on Jan 15, 2007 9:48:03 GMT 10
Hi Michael
Looks like there aren't any sockets for the LFCSP style of chip, so I guess you are going to have to do some real fast soldering. It shouldn't get damaged doing normal soldering though because nearly all chips are designed to handle 300+ celsius for 10 seconds while traveling through a solder bath on an assembly line. Just try to keep your iron tip off the plastic body and only on the pins.
The ADXL210 is a single axis accelerometer, if I'm right? I've never used an accelerometer before, so let us know how you go with the interfacing.
Cheers
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ADXL210
Jan 16, 2007 12:43:21 GMT 10
Post by michaelg on Jan 16, 2007 12:43:21 GMT 10
Hey Botman, Yep, the ADXL210 is a duel axis accelerometer. I'm hoping to make some sort of balancing robot with it. I'm having a hell of a time trying to solder this thing  I still havn't managed to get it yet, what i'm trying to do is solder wire pins (cut off from resistors) to all 8 contacts - just when i think its done, one or two break off!! Then i try to solder it back on, the solder touches the pin one nano-meter next to it, and its all over!!!!  Oh well, i'll keep trying, if i cant get it to work by the weekend, i guess i'll have to learn how to make my own pcb boards, and connect it that way |
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ADXL210
Jan 16, 2007 19:06:29 GMT 10
Post by Dingo on Jan 16, 2007 19:06:29 GMT 10
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ADXL210
Jan 17, 2007 8:00:32 GMT 10
Post by Robotman on Jan 17, 2007 8:00:32 GMT 10
It sounds like the pins on the ADXL are the same type as those found on ZIF sockets - impossible to solder to, and even then the joint is very fragile. (Only hole/pad soldering seems to work...) Maybe some scrubbing with sandpaper (or screwdriver) might rough up / take a layer off the surface of the pins. Do the soldering, and then spray circuit board lacquer over the job to protect against moisture. Maybe use a good blob of silicone sealant (or potting epoxy) for a bit of mechanical stability with your wires.
Then of course, using the breakout board that Dingo found (is he maybe really a web search 'bot, not actually a human?) might ultimately be the best solution.
Tilt / balancing sensing is a great idea. We need more real-world inputs!!!
Hope this helps
See ya
P.S.
But maybe the chip has to be soldered using surface-mount techniques. Aren't there some fluxes or pastes out there that can help the solder flow and stick better?
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ADXL210
Jan 17, 2007 10:40:30 GMT 10
Post by michaelg on Jan 17, 2007 10:40:30 GMT 10
Thanks for the help guys  That breakout board would certainly have made my life alot easier! I finally managed to solder pins to all 8 connections last nite, now im gonna plug it into the breadboard and try it out - i definetly wont be soldering pins to these things anymore though!!! Next time i'll solder it straight onto a pcb - that would be much easier, since the connections are also on the side of the component for this purpose. Hopefully all that soldering hasn't killed it I'll let u guy's know how i go with interfacing/using this thing with the PIC Cheers, Michael |
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