SchmartBoard: The World's Greatest Prototyping System
SchmartBoard, Inc. is a US-based technology company specializing in innovative solutions for electronic circuit prototyping, with a core focus on simplifying the process of hand soldering surface-mount technology (SMT) components. The company's fundamental mission, often encapsulated by its mantra "Electronics for Everyone," is to make modern component technology accessible to a broad audience, including professional engineers, technicians, educators, students, and do-it-yourself (DIY) hobbyists. The company positions its proprietary system, known as SchmartBoard|ez, as a revolutionary alternative that bypasses the traditional difficulty and high cost associated with prototyping circuits that use fine-pitch SMT chips.
Continue…Core Business and Technology
The company's primary activity is the design and manufacturing of its patented prototyping Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), known simply as Schmartboards. These boards incorporate a unique "groove" or channel technology that is central to the SchmartBoard|ez system. This innovative design allows users to easily align SMT components and use a straightforward, standard soldering iron technique???often simpler than traditional through-hole soldering???to achieve fast, easy, and flawless connections for even the smallest and most complex surface-mount devices. This technological advantage enables the use of advanced, current chip technologies in circuits without the need for expensive, time-consuming prototyping methods or denying oneself the use of the most modern integrated circuit packages.
The SchmartBoard system is also distinct in its approach to circuit development, as it supports both through-hole and surface-mount components and allows users to work on discrete circuit blocks individually. These blocks can be tested independently before being physically connected together to form a complete system, facilitating a modular and iterative design process.
Products and Product Categories
SchmartBoard offers an extensive product catalog categorized to serve various prototyping and development needs. The product line is heavily focused on adapter and prototyping boards for different component packages and development platforms.
Prototyping Boards and Adapters
- Surface Mount Schmartboards: Boards designed for direct hand soldering of various SMT packages, including SOIC, PLCC, QFP (Quad Flat Package), QFN (Quad Flat No-leads), and discrete surface mount components. The boards support very fine pitches, such as 0.4mm pitch chips.
- SMT to DIP Adapters: These boards allow SMT components to be soldered to an adapter that converts the footprint to a standard Dual In-line Package (DIP) form factor, enabling the SMT chip to be used easily on a traditional breadboard. Categories include SOIC to DIP, QFP-QFN to DIP, and DFN to DIP.
- Through-Hole Boards: General-purpose prototyping boards for components that use through-hole leads.
Development Platform-Specific Boards
SchmartBoard designs and produces platform-specific boards that seamlessly integrate their prototyping system with popular development environments.
* Arduino Shields: Prototyping shields compatible with Arduino Uno and Mega microcontrollers, often featuring stackable female headers.
* BeagleBone Prototyping Cape Kits: Kits that provide through-hole and surface-mount circuitry prototyping capabilities, designed to function as "capes" for BeagleBone platforms.
* Raspberry Pi Prototyping Boards: Specialized surface mount prototyping boards for Raspberry Pi platforms, including boards for the Pi Zero and various headers.
Components and Accessories
The company also supplies various essential electronic components and accessories critical for prototyping and interconnection.
* Jumper Wires: A variety of jumper wires, including male, female, male-to-female, and daisy-chained jumpers in various lengths (e.g., 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 24 Inch).
* Modules: Populated, pre-built modules for common functions, such as Analog Modules, Power Modules, and I/O Modules, which are ideal for educational use or rapid prototyping.
* Headers: Various headers, including 0.1" and 2mm spacing, as well as stackable female headers.
* Tools and Soldering Supplies: The product line extends to include soldering accessories and tools.
* Breadboards and Cables: Standard prototyping breadboards and various cable assemblies, such as D-Sub, Rectangular, and USB cables.
Services Offered
Beyond hardware products, SchmartBoard provides a suite of specialized engineering and manufacturing services, leveraging its expertise in PCB and assembly processes.
* Custom Schmartboards: Design and fabrication services for custom prototyping boards tailored to a customer's specific chip or application requirements.
* Hardware Engineering Services: Professional engineering assistance for circuit design and development projects.
* PCB Fabrication and Assembly Services: Full-scale manufacturing services, including the production of bare PCBs and complete assembly services for final products.
* Cable Design and Fabrication Services: Custom design and fabrication of cable assemblies for various applications.
* Schmartboard University Fulfillment Program: An educational initiative and fulfillment service designed to support academic and teaching institutions in utilizing their products for hands-on electronics education.
SchmartBoard effectively bridges the gap between complex SMT component technology and accessible, low-cost prototyping, positioning itself as a vital resource in the electronics design and manufacturing supply chain for both large-scale distributors and individual makers.
