Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘In Defense of a Liberal Education’
American Made Advocacy: A Growing Presence in Washington in Turbulent Times
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.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
Setting Design Constraints Effectively
07/31/2025 | Stephen V. Chavez, Siemens EDAPCB design requires controlling energy within the medium of a PCB. The manner in which we control the chaos of energy is by implementing and utilizing physical and electrical rules, known as constraints, along with a specific structure and material(s) that make up what is known as the foundation of the design. These rules govern everything within the PCB structure and generally fall into two camps: performance and manufacturability. Setting this foundation correctly is extremely important and the key to success.
MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions Unveils Unified Global Website to Deepen Customer, Talent, and Stakeholder Engagement
07/31/2025 | MacDermid Alpha Electronics SolutionsMacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, the electronics business of Elements Solutions Inc, today launched macdermidalpha.com - a unified global website built to deepen digital engagement. The launch marks a significant milestone in the business’ ongoing commitment to delivering more meaningful, interactive, and impactful experiences for its customers, talent, and stakeholders worldwide.
Ansys 2025 R2 Enables Next-Level Productivity by Leveraging AI, Smart Automation, and Broader On-Demand Capabilities
07/30/2025 | PRNewswireAnsys, now part of Synopsys, announced 2025 R2, featuring new AI-powered capabilities across the portfolio that accelerate simulation and expand accessibility.
Connect the Dots: Sequential Lamination in HDI PCB Manufacturing
07/31/2025 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsAs HDI technology becomes mainstream in high-speed and miniaturized electronics, understanding the PCB manufacturing process can help PCB design engineers create successful, cost-effective designs using advanced technologies. Designs that incorporate blind and buried vias, boards with space constraints, sensitive signal integrity requirements, or internal heat dissipation concerns are often candidates for HDI technology and usually require sequential lamination to satisfy the requirements.
Target Condition: The 5 Ws of PCB Design Constraints
07/29/2025 | Kelly Dack -- Column: Target ConditionHave you ever sat down to define PCB design constraints and found yourself staring at a settings window with more checkboxes than a tax form? You’re not alone. For many designers—especially those newer to the layout world—the task of setting up design constraints can feel like trying to write a novel in a language you just started learning.