connectordcpcb
Is it possible to solder the panel mounted DC connector shown in the image below on to a PCB? I was unable to find an Eagle library for the same. If it is not possible to solder on to a PCB, any ideas on how I could interface b/w a PCB and such a connector?
Thanks.
The Sparkfun Eagle Library (pre-6.0, 6.0+) has one. It's called "USBPCB".
Here's a project using it.
You didn't mention which PCB layout program you are using, but if it is Eagle, the part is available in the SparkFun library. See images below.
I drill the holes with the 3.2mm drill bit. I then place the connector on the PCB, touch both the connector terminal and the PCB pad with the soldering iron (hot) and push the solder in until it makes a little blob, nice and round. It takes quite a bit of solder, like in the image below. Watch out not to push the solder directly into the hole or it will go into the connector and destroy it.
Bear in mind that I make my boards at home, so I have no idea how that is done with production quality, but mine gets firm and steady.
Best Answer
Yes, it is, but I see a problem with that- you'd have to pass it through the panel first, so serviceability of the PCB would be severely constrained. The PCB could use round holes, but slots would be better, and you'd have to take some care if there were traces and pads on the connector side to design the footprint and apply keep-outs to avoid potential shorts- or space the connector off the board a bit. That kind of rigid mechanical/electrical connection is a potential failure point, so that should be considered (for example, dropping the device will put stress on the connections because the PCB has inertia).
At risk of stating the obvious, the usual way of 'interfacing' is to attach wires to the jack and then affix them to the board, either directly or through a connector. If you want to do a nice job, shrink wrap on each wire can be used.
If you use a connector small enough to pass through the mounting hole (Edit: and the inside of the nut, perhaps sideways), then the entire thing can be disassembled without unsoldering or cutting. In a production product, that would have the additional advantage that the harness subassemblies could be manufactured or procured with wires and connector attached, and simply snapped together in final assembly.