Re: [jornada] Flashboards - contacting a PCB manufacturer...

Nick:

You aren't treading on my toes....

Plus, you are going to have a *VERY* hard time locating a distributor for the board connectors. I don't think they are manufactured anymore. I have 20 of them (they were sent to me from a very fine gentleman at HP), plus two mates for a programmer. From what I understand, the gentleman at HP has several hundred more. Also, I was planning on changing the layout a little based on what flash and RAM chips are available now. Remember, HP engineered these flashboards quite some time ago; the parts they spec'ed may not necessarily be available anymore (reference the board connectors...).

Next, from my unoffical count, I know of approximately 20 people who would like to have a flashboard. I was going to send out a general call for deposits once I had verified that HP's engineering was still good, could still get the parts (or better parts w/ the same pinout), or once a new design was in place, and then the costs estimated.

Finally, I'd be happy to coordinate with you. I was going to run this through my corporation so that it could absorb any short-term R&D costs or losses and hold the inventory, etc., but if you want to take the reins, I'd be happy with a supporting role. I, too, want to see the flashboards become avaliable as soon as possible, but I also want a board that will fulfill everyone's expectations as well.

Regards,
-Mark Gollahon

Nick L wrote ..
> Folks,
>
> Mark's mail has spurred me into action :-)
>
> I know of someone who manufactures and assembles PCBs - he currently
> does low volume work for a friend of mine. Having chatted with him,
> he cannot manufacture 4 layer boards himself, but he can get them
> manufactured. He can also source components and assemble the boards.
>
> I have sent through the J720Mem.zip file to him, and asked for a quote
> based on an initial run of 50 to 100. As soon as I hear anything, I
> will get back to you.
>
> Mark - if you're doing the same, we ought to co-ordinate efforts! I
> have put no thought as yet into how we'd get the bootstrap onto the
> flash memory... Also, are you intending to change the board layout at
> all, or just get the HP layout manufactured? I do not have the skills
> to change any of the layout... Do we need to change the layout for
> 64MB, or just the components used?
>
> If people could reply to me OFF LIST if they are interested, then we
> can get a better idea of how many boards we need. This will not be a
> binding commitment, just an expression of interest to pay for a board.
>
> If I'm treading on Mark's toes, then I apologise - I just want to get
> this moving now there's been a glimmer of hope recently :-) .
>
> Anticipated FAQs:
> - how much? Dunno. As soon as I do, I'll post.
> - When? Dunno. As soon as I do, I'll post.
> - How will the image get loaded? Dunno. See above.
> - Where in the world are you/the manufacturer? England, UK.
> - Will we order from you, or the manufacturer? Dunno. Probably me,
> depending on whether the manufacturer wants to deal with small value
> orders.
> - How will I order? Before I place the order, I will need deposits
> from people as I cannot afford to fund this and rely on people who
> said "yes" actually following through on paying. More details when we
> know what sort of figure we're looking at.
>
> Cheers,
> Nick.
>
> --
> "Why don't you go and bother that nice Ms Rowling?" - Terry Pratchett
> http://www.chiark.com
Received on Fri Jun 24 2005 - 08:03:48 EDT