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Delft Hyperloop Details Eurocircuit Role in PCB Production, Assembly
November 5, 2020 | EurocircuitsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Every implementation of the Hyperloop system will contain a lot of electronics. Our prototype pod uses 8 electric motors and motor controllers to propel itself. These motors are powered by 2 LiPo battery packs. To connect all of the electrical systems of the vehicle we also need a control PCB including an embedded microcontroller that interfaces with these systems using a CAN interface. Furthermore, this PCB is also used to activate the brakes, readout the position and velocity of the vehicle, send data to an external PC using an Ethernet interface and log on-board data to an SD card. Throughout the year we have ordered a lot of different PCBs that are essential for the functioning of our pod. Eurocircuits facilitated our PCB production and assembly throughout the year.
Using the knowledge of the previous Delft Hyperloop years we could immediately start on our V1, which we decided to assemble ourselves to stay flexible and have even shorter lead times.
This PCB was tested and used long before our pod was produced. By performing integrated tests with our powertrain and propulsion departments, it was possible to find points of improvement early on in the year.
This resulted in PCB V2, which was installed on last year’s pod. With this vehicle, we were able to test our complete electrical design and achieve some rather high speeds at our test track.
After having tested with two prototype PCB versions, we used the Eurocircuits assembly service for V3. This gave us time to continue testing with our older versions and resulted in a highly accurate PCB to be used for our record attempt.
In a year with tight deadlines and many design iterations our collaboration with Eurocircuits was essential to getting a proper functioning electrical system. Because of the short lead times and the variety of different options offered at Eurocircuits, we were able to keep focussing on our designs and always have working PCBs on time for important tests. Especially the Eurocircuits PCB checker has been very useful as it has detected some design errors in our PCB which could be fixed before we ordered the PCB.
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