Vampire 600 boards for the Amiga 600 on the way

[polyp2000]

I dont have a 600 (only a500 & a1200) -- but i cannot wait to see what happens
now these are about to get in the hands of people!

http://www.majsta.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=68

N...

[matthey]

I dont have a 600 (only a500 & a1200) -- but i cannot wait to see what happens now these are about to get in the hands of people!

They will be in the hands of developers. It's not much different to many of the fpgaArcade boards going to developers and testers. The time and cost to solder and test the boards is disappointing. It seems that the Vampire and fpgaArcade are both having problems in this regard.

[Djole]

They will be in the hands of developers. It's not much different to many of the fpgaArcade boards going to developers and testers. The time and cost to solder and test the boards is disappointing. It seems that the Vampire and fpgaArcade are both having problems in this regard.

As far as I know anyone can order a board, not just developers. Looking forward to see first user tests.

[som99]

Great news, wonder where on the list I am to receive one I cant wait to play with one!

[majsta]

Hi
If we are lucky nothing will work

[matthey]

As far as I know anyone can order a board, not just developers. Looking forward to see first user tests.

True. The regular orders shouldn't be too far behind but the people at the end of the list will probably have to wait a bit.

[mikej]

They will be in the hands of developers. It's not much different to many of the fpgaArcade boards going to developers and testers. The time and cost to solder and test the boards is disappointing. It seems that the Vampire and fpgaArcade are both having problems in this regard.

Speaking about the FPGAArcade Replay board ...
While this is true - the first 50 of the production batch I had to hand solder all the connectors (and it takes ages), I'm past that now. The next batch of 100 game fully assembled, but had some component issues which needed to be replaced.
Now the test rigs and software are set up they can test at the factory, so the next 200 will arrive ready to ship. Well, that's the theory at least..
/MikeJ

[Iggy]

Speaking about the FPGAArcade Replay board ...
While this is true - the first 50 of the production batch I had to hand solder all the connectors (and it takes ages), I'm past that now. The next batch of 100 game fully assembled, but had some component issues which needed to be replaced.
Now the test rigs and software are set up they can test at the factory, so the next 200 will arrive ready to ship. Well, that's the theory at least..
/MikeJ

Nice to know Mike.
Personally, emulating the chipset along with the processor makes more sense to me.
After all, with just a processor replacement were stuck retrofitting old hardware and can't improve on chipset performance.

Although the soldering demo on the Vampire site is pretty neat.
I may have to try that technique.

[AmmoJammo]

Got one for me?

[Retrofan]

The time and cost to solder and test the boards is disappointing.

Do you know that today majsta has told that Kipper2k will also mount them? http://eab.abime.net/hardware-mods/59629-first-amiga-600-fpga-accelerator-23.html

[majsta]

@Iggylike I said before that soldering technique is so controversial and I suspected that people will start talking about that on forums. But, for the devices that are not made for human soldering is is the only fast and safe way. After following everything showed on video please use flux and wick with soldering iron and after that use hot air to remove any resin or bad solder joints. Final result is much like professional soldering done by machine and everyone will notice that when they receive their boards. There are also other solutions for soldering QFP FPGA device but this one gives me best results. It is easier to solder BGA than QFP package. For BGA you only need proper alignment, flux and oven.

For those who didn't see this here is a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmlWlGiPaog

[Iggy]

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=gmlWlGiPaog

Yes, very cool.
And if you don't have the equipment for BGAs, its useful.
Thanks.

[AmmoJammo]

...I dont want one anymore after seeing that video...

I work in electronics assembly, and we often do hand soldered prototypes, and there's no way we'd do something as thermally stressful as that!

[Retrofan]

I have to say that I like more Kipper2K's way:

http://kipper2k.com/soldertut/soldertut.html

But I also think that a thing is to develope something so complicated and another your skills or just the way you choose for soldering....

And anyway the boards are fully tested after that.

[mikej]

@Iggylike I said before that soldering technique is so controversial and I suspected that people will start talking about that on forums. But, for the devices that are not made for human soldering is is the only fast and safe way.

What would worry me is the fact no anti-static precautions are being taken.
Masking tape! At least get an anti-static mat.

The more normal way to do prototype production is to get a stencil made (30-40 USD laser cut). You can actually get standard stencils for tqfps etc.

Squeeze solder paste through, pop the chip on and heat with a reflow gun.
You get perfect results and no bent pins.
/MikeJ