LED Cube/PCB Soldering Manual

LED Cube Series

Chapter 1: Build

Section 0: Preparation and Requirements

Section 1: PCB Soldering Manual

Section 2: Cube Soldering Manual

Section 3: Assembly and Testing

Chapter 2: Play

Using the Cube

Creating an Animation

Chapter 3: Learn

Understanding the Electronics

Custom Programs

This is the first siginificant part of the LED Cube Series. You will learn where to place the components on the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and how solder them.

plain PCB

USB Resistors

First we solder the resistors R10, R11 and R13. Here is the section of the schematic diagram containing three parts:

USB section of the schematics.

As all resistors we are going to use in this project, their orientation is not relevant. You can see the resistor values in the schematic or in the table below, together with the color code marking:

Name	Value	Color Code
R10	68 Ohm	blue-green-black-gold-brown
R11	68 Ohm	blue-green-black-gold-brown
R13	1500 Ohm	brown-green-black-brown-brown

Get the resistors from your kit. Use the data above to assign them to the correct place on the PCB. If you are not sure about this, have a look at the pictures below. Then bend both leads about 90 degrees, so they fit into the two holes. The distance between the leads, as with every resistor we will solder on this board, is about 11 mm, but it is not important to be very accurate here. Place them into the holes and flip the PCB.

the three resistors
If you want to be accurate, make sure the distance between the bends is 11 mm.
PCB with placed resistors
flipped PCB

To solder them, get your already heated soldering iron, clean it with a moist sponge or the tools that available. Apply a very small amount of solder to the tip - just enough so that there is a small film on it (watch (youtube) for reference). We will need this solder only for the iron to be able to heat up the PCB and the resistors - we will add more solder later.

An additional effect of the tin is that it protects the tip from corrosion. After you completely removed the tin from your tip by cleaning it with a moist sponge, you have to reapply solder as soon as possible afterwards. This will ensure a long tip lifetime.

dirty tip
tip after cleaning with a moist sponge
tip after applying some solder

Take the soldering iron into your lead hand. Grab some solder wire with the other one. Now take the tip of the soldering iron to one of the holes where the wires of the resistor are inserted. Place the soldering iron there, for about 1 to 3 seconds to allow the PCB and the resistor lead to heat up. Then add some solder wire to the point where the tip of the soldering iron, the wire and the hole in the PCB meet until the hole is completely covered. Some of the solder will flow through the hole to the other side of the PCB. If this is the case, add more solder until you have a nice solder joint. This joint should be shiny and look like the one in the picture below:

candidate for soldering
correctly positioned soldering iron tip
position where the solder should be added
while adding solder
solder joint after cooling

Repeat this for the other five joints. Afterwards, clip away any excess wire, but do not damage the solder joint by clipping away more than necessary.

backside after soldering
after clipping away the excess leads

USB Zener Diodes

Additionally, we need two 3.6 V Zener diodes for the data lines, Z1 and Z2. Here, you have to pay attention to their orientation. The (black) line on the diode is the same as the single line on the symbol (as opposed to the triangle) that is printed onto the PCB. You can see that in this figure:

Zener diode orientation

First bend the Zener diodes, so they fit into their holes. This time the holes are only 7.5 mm apart. Then put them into their place and flip the PCB.

the two Zener diodes
this time, the distance between the leads is 7.5 mm
PCB with the diodes placed
flipped PCB

Soldering the Zener diodes is nearly like solering the resistors, but it is a little bit more difficult. If you have a closer look at the holes, you will see two differences:

Two of them are quadratic. They can be soldered like the resistors in the previous step.
Two of them are round and look a little bit like a blossom: They are directly connected to the big copper plane on the side you are currently looking on. This is the issue: To heat up this large layer of copper will take more time than previously, so give these joints some extra time.

microscropy view on the problematic hole
back side after soldering
back side after clipping

Reset Resistor

Reset resistor and ISP header in the schematic diagram. (The ISP header is left unsoldered in this tutorial.)

The Reset pin of the microcontroller gets a 10 kOhm resistor R12 to the +5 V line. Again, have a look in the table for the correct color markings. Orientation is irrelevant.

Name	Value	Color Code
R12	10 kOhm	brown-black-black-red-brown

It should be clear how you solder this resistor. If not, have a look at the previous steps.

the reset resistor...
...placed and soldered

Column Resistors

Column resistors and column connectors in the schematic diagram

If you bought a kit or attend a workshop, you probably already got the correct Resistors. There should be (at least) nine of the same value. Just solder them into the places for R1 to R9.

If you are supplying your own LEDs or did not get matching resistors for any other reason, you have to pay attention: The ideal column resistors should be chosen for each LED color separately. You are always on the safe side, if you choose a high value, but then your cube may not be as bright as you want it to be. If you are interested in this, read LED Cube/Column Resistors in Detail. Alternatively, here is a table of common colors, their forward voltages and the recommended resistor value:

Color	Forward Voltage	Resistor Value (nearest @15 mA)	Color Code
Red	1.9 V	120 Ohm	brown-red-black-black-brown
Blue	3.0 V	56 Ohm	green-blue-black-gold-brown
White	3.0 V	56 Ohm	green-blue-black-gold-brown

the (example) resistors...
...after bending,
...placing, ...
...from the back, ...
...and after soldering and clipping.

Column and Plane Connectors

plane connectors (and transistor array) in the schematic diagram

Now add the column and plane connectors to CONN1 to CONN10. This step is optional and it is probably the most annoying part of this PCB, but you should think twice before you skip it: It allows you to disconnect and reconnect your cube without expensive equipment. And do repairs on it which may not be possible while it is connected. But it's your choice - skipping this step does not have any other significant effect.

So, to add the connectors, we first have to separate them from the break-away header row. You can do this with a scalpel or side cutters. You will need nine single-pin connectors and one 3-pin connector. You can also completely remove the plastic around them if you want. Now put one by one into the pcb, and solder them. You do not have to cut away any excess wire afterwards. You may however try to reheat some solder joints and wiggle on them, if the connectors are not straight.

the first plane connector in the top right corner
the same connector now in the top right corner
after soldering of all connectors

Capacitors

We need four capacitors, two times 100 nF (C1, C2) and two times 22 pF (C3, C4). See the schematic at the left or the table below for their values and positions. Again, all four devices are symmetric and orientation is irrelevant.

To keep them near to the PCB before flipping it, bend the leads to the outside (about 10 to 20 degrees) after inserting them.

Name	Value	Marking
C1	100 nF	(104 ≙ 10 * 10^4 pF = 100 nF)
C2	100 nF	(104 ≙ 10 * 10^4 pF = 100 nF)
C3	22 pF	(220 or 22 ≙ 22 * 10^0 pF = 22 pF)
C4	22 pF	(220 or 22 ≙ 22 * 10^0 pF = 22 pF)

The PCB with the capacitors soldered into it.

Crystal

Now you should add the 16 MHz crystal U3. You do not have to care about its orientation.

16 MHz crystal
16 MHz crystal
PCB with crystal

Transistor Array

Now we will add the transistor array U2.

ULN2003A

But first we have to make sure it fits. If you have a look at the following picture you can clearly see that the way the IC got deliviered to you, has pins that are tilted:

To get them straight, take the IC with both hands and put it on a flat surface. Then slowly bend it forward until the legs are straight.

Now you see that it fits.

Before soldering, make sure that the notches are correctly aligned. You will find one on the IC itself and one on the PCB.

Microcontroller socket

Add the microcontroller socket to the PCB at U1. As with the Transistor array, there is a small marker on the package which should be on the same side as the marker on the PCB.

If the socket does not slide into the PCB and you have to apply more force than you would apply to a sharp knife while cutting onions, not all pins are pointing straight down. This is normal and you can simply take the pins and bent them until they are straight.

the socket
notch marker on the PCB
notch marker on the socket
PCB with socket

USB Socket

Now add the USB socket. This should be straightforward. You should solder the two big shield connectors on the side, not just plug them in, to increase the stability.