Electronic – Non Plated Through Holes in Eagle

eaglepcbpcb-fabrication

I am thinking about a project that has need for various different complicated wiring connections. I would like to make a single board that would make it as easy as possible to make arbitrary connections between signals. My thought is something like this:

Matrix

By putting the signals in a configuration such that they all cross every signal from the opposite side at some point, then I can use the vias to make connections by soldering a thin piece of wire in the appropriate hole.

I made this image in Eagle to demonstrate my point, but vias will not work, because they will be always connected all of the time. What I want is the copper on top and bottom but not in the through hole part. Is this possible to do in Eagle? Can most fab houses deal with things like this (I generally use ITead)?

In my final design it will be much larger than this (64 in – 64 out).

Best Answer

Yes, in eagle "help hole" (I'm a eagle CLI nerd)

HOLE

Function Add drill hole to a board or package.

Syntax

HOLE drill •..

See also VIA, PAD, CHANGE

This command is used to define e.g. mounting holes (has no electrical connection between the different layers) in a board or in a package. The parameter drill defines the diameter of the hole in the actual unit. It may be up to 0.51602 inch (13.1 mm).

Or if you like clicky buttons: Picture of EAGLE's hole tool

Will board houses be able to do this? Yes -- it is not uncommon. I can not speak for how they accomplish this in processing, since some boards are drilled before etching + through hole plating, but check with your board house before ordering.