Build Your Own HDI Connectorॱ

The HDI Connector· is a connector used primarily for programming of Microcontrollers. HDI Connector· can be used in applications ranging from mobile devices to a wide variety of IOT units and beyond. As applications are being developed for smaller, higher performing technologies, HDI Connectors are being designed to meet these requirements, often times meaning higher performance in a smaller space.

To connect the HDI Connector parts you need a soldering station with a soldering iron with a fine tip. Of course also solder tin and then some solder flux, to make the solder flow better.

Open Source

HDI Connector· is Open Source, free and maintained by a group of enthusiasts. Got a nice idea? Send us a pull request and become a part of the list of contributors. Click here for more information.

KiCAD

HDI Connector· is designed in KiCad is an open source Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool option that offers the functionality needed for almost any project. Because of its high level of functionality and no licensing fee, its popularity is exploding.

Support

A short product description that highlights the main usage and Read our extensive documentation to find out everything you want to know about the project. The description allows you to build and use your own HDI Connector·.

Step-by-step instructions to get you started with HDI Connector· right away.

Download the KiCAD symbols & footprints for free. Import the symbols & footprints directly into KiCad and save hours on design. How To Import A Symbol & Footprint Into KiCad is explained on the start building step.

KiCAD Symbol
The KiCad symbol libraries are the individual .lib files, with the corresponding .dcm files containing symbol metadata. These symbols are best used in combination with the official footprint libs.

Kicad Footprint
The KiCad footprint libraries are the individual .pretty directories. Each .pretty directory contains multiple .kicad_mod footprint files. These footprints are best used in combination with the official symbol libs and 3d model libs.

Kicad 3D Model
The KiCad 3D model libraries are the individual .3dshapes directories. These 3d models are best used in combination with the official footprint libs. Each directory directory contains multiple 3D model files, with the following supported file formats.

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Before you can start the assembly of your HDI Connector. You need some additional supplies. What we need to assemble the HDI Connector are 4 pieces of steel wire of approximately 2 cm and with a diameter of 1.2 mm.

In addition, you need 6 more pogo pins (P50-B). The Pogo pins have a diameter of 0.68 mm and a length of 16 mm. In order to assemble the HDI Connector, we need 4 pieces of PCB from the HDI Connector. First we stack the 4 PCB parts on top of each other. Note that the white surface is placed on top of each other.

After this we can add the 4 pieces of wire. Make sure the top wire is flush with the top PBC. It’s okay if the wire at the bottom isn’t even. If the iron wire is in the right position, it can be soldered in place. After this, the Pogo pins can be added. If the Pogo Pins are in the right position, it can be soldered in place.

The assembly instructions above look very nice of course, but how does it really work in practice. What should you pay attention to and how is it easiest to assemble the HDI Connector.

We start by breaking out the 4 PCB parts to make the HDI Connector. With a piece of sandpaper, we sand off the ridges, so that a straight piece of pcb remains. This is the final result. Now we take the 4 pieces of wire. It doesn’t matter that the pieces are completely the same.

I used floral wire for this, which I sanded clean. Place the four wires in the four corners of the connector as shown in the photo. Grasp the connector by the wires and make sure the ends of the wire are flush with the top PCB part. Use some Flux on each wire to make the solder flow better.

After this take the Soldering Iron and solder the wire and the top PCB together. Don’t forget to solder the bottom in the same way. Please note that only a little bit of solder is used. Next we need 6 pieces of pogo pins. To facilitate installation of the pogo pins, place the connector on the PCB.

Place the first Pogo pin and determine the height of the pin. After this, the other pins can be placed. To determine the iron wire length, take a second PCB and place it under the other. Mark the length and file the length until each leg is equal.

The end result is an equifooted connector. By pushing through the connector, the needles will make maximum contact with the pcb. If the HDI Connector does not stay in place, the legs can be bent slightly inwards, note this is minimal. The HDI Connector is now ready for use.

Do you want or need more information about the HDI Connector please vist our site at: https://hdiconnector.studiopieters.nl