Comments on: A Bunch of Boards http://factoryswblog.org/2009/11/05/canopen-pcbs-and-more/ Merging modern software development with electrons and metal Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:38:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Tony http://factoryswblog.org/2009/11/05/canopen-pcbs-and-more/comment-page-1/#comment-4386 Tony Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:34:32 +0000 http://factoryswblog.org/?p=412#comment-4386 Rick, Gender changer backshells are available from a number of companies, including <a href="http://www.norcomp.net/rohspages/R957-yyy-yyy-yyy.HTM" rel="nofollow">Norcomp</a>. The best solution for standard gender changers (or null modem adapters) is to buy them. For non-standard gender changer or null modem adapter, consider getting two dsub crimp housings and then use wires with the crimped pins inserted into the appropriate pin locations. That's how the standard DB9/RJ45 adapters are done: you get a backshell with RJ45 jack installed with flying leads that have crimped dsub pins, and a dsub crimp housing. You poke the crimp pins into the desired pin locations, snap the dsub connector into the backshell, and you have a custom adapter (e.g. for CANOpen, Elmo serial port, or whatever). I used to do a lot of serial port work (with PLCs, label applicators, barcode readers, etc), and that meant a lot of serial port troubleshooting. So I have a toolbox with a variety of gender changers, null modem adapters with different configurations, pass through box with lights for the serial signals, and pass through boxes where you can custom configure the connection. Unfortunately, most of that stuff is DB25, and most modern serial ports are DB9 -- and I've not seen any tools for troubleshooting DB9 serial ports. Plus, I don't think it's easy to find those kinds of tools now, even for DB25s. Anyway, if you need a complex custom circuitry, you should consider designing a PCB, and then have it made; <a href="http://www.batchpcb.com/" rel="nofollow">Batch PCB</a> is probably your best choice, since they charge $2.50/sq in + $10 per order; if they don't don't charge extra for <1.0" PCBs, a PCB to fit a Norcomp 957-009 backshell would be under $2 per PCB (plus $10 per order and shipping IIRC). Rick,
Gender changer backshells are available from a number of companies, including Norcomp.

The best solution for standard gender changers (or null modem adapters) is to buy them.

For non-standard gender changer or null modem adapter, consider getting two dsub crimp housings and then use wires with the crimped pins inserted into the appropriate pin locations. That’s how the standard DB9/RJ45 adapters are done: you get a backshell with RJ45 jack installed with flying leads that have crimped dsub pins, and a dsub crimp housing. You poke the crimp pins into the desired pin locations, snap the dsub connector into the backshell, and you have a custom adapter (e.g. for CANOpen, Elmo serial port, or whatever).

I used to do a lot of serial port work (with PLCs, label applicators, barcode readers, etc), and that meant a lot of serial port troubleshooting. So I have a toolbox with a variety of gender changers, null modem adapters with different configurations, pass through box with lights for the serial signals, and pass through boxes where you can custom configure the connection. Unfortunately, most of that stuff is DB25, and most modern serial ports are DB9 — and I’ve not seen any tools for troubleshooting DB9 serial ports. Plus, I don’t think it’s easy to find those kinds of tools now, even for DB25s.

Anyway, if you need a complex custom circuitry, you should consider designing a PCB, and then have it made; Batch PCB is probably your best choice, since they charge $2.50/sq in + $10 per order; if they don’t don’t charge extra for <1.0" PCBs, a PCB to fit a Norcomp 957-009 backshell would be under $2 per PCB (plus $10 per order and shipping IIRC).

]]> By: Rick http://factoryswblog.org/2009/11/05/canopen-pcbs-and-more/comment-page-1/#comment-4385 Rick Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:42:47 +0000 http://factoryswblog.org/?p=412#comment-4385 Great steps Tony. It looks like you have some products with great potential in the works. I have been searching all over the internet to find a prototype / perfboard with a DB9 pinout on both ends about 3/4" wide and about 2" long to go in the L-Com D-SUB HALF COVER PAIR. The L-Com product allows one to have a DB9 connector at both ends and provides for the custom circuitry in the middle. If you know of a product like this please let me know. I am intending to have a DB9 Female connector on one end and a DB9 Male connector on the other. It could be wired as a direct pass thru, null modem connection, or add simple or complex circuitry between the connectors. Thanks again. Great steps Tony. It looks like you have some products with great potential in the works.

I have been searching all over the internet to find a prototype / perfboard with a DB9 pinout on both ends about 3/4″ wide and about 2″ long to go in the L-Com D-SUB HALF COVER PAIR. The L-Com product allows one to have a DB9 connector at both ends and provides for the custom circuitry in the middle. If you know of a product like this please let me know. I am intending to have a DB9 Female connector on one end and a DB9 Male connector on the other. It could be wired as a direct pass thru, null modem connection, or add simple or complex circuitry between the connectors.

Thanks again.

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