Some PCB improvements

[atomspring]

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Hey Greg, Thanks for this great project. I implemented it myself, and discovered a few points that can be improved, particularly the location of the 5 pin header.

After trying to assemble the latest release into the factory enclosure, I discovered that I had no real way to keep the existing case cutouts if I was also using the right-angle pin header:

This pull request ought to fix that.

[atomspring]

Some lesser changes:

• The preview in the main readme is updated
• The silkscreen for the components is a little bit more organized and visible
• Pinouts are unmistakable for noobs
• Board is just a little wider as there was a bit too much slop
• The footprint for the flex cable connector is now more universal, should support both the LCSC and Digikey-sourced component
• Pin 1 indicators on the PCB are made obvious for the two SOIC footprints

That last one was important, I ordered parts and the PCB, took them to work where I have a proper SMT setup, along with a printout of the ibom, and.. yeah. Slowed me down a little bit, looking at datasheets and doing continuity tests to figure out which pins were VCC etc.

[gcormier]

KiCad uses a different standard for pin 1

I'll try to take a look at your changes when I have some time. I won't be able to accept the MR though as moving the header won't work for any of the boards that I sell on the store, which is quite a bit.

[atomspring]

I don't really agree with Kicad on that, it's difficult to observe once parts get small enough. Maybe a thicker line in the vicinity of pin 1, but just a longer line isn't adequate imo.

Re: header relocation, what does it negatively affect? The result of these mods is that anyone who doesn't have a nibbler at home can reassemble the enclosure without making any physical modifications. I wound up having to modify the strain relief, as well as nibbling a slot into the case to accommodate where the current header lies.

Wish I'd known, might've saved some work.

[gcormier]

I'm not going to be able to tackle how KiCad chooses to handle Pin 1 :)

what does it negatively affect

The project includes the information how to build your own cable and was never designed to re-use the existing one. We could merge this to a different branch perhaps for those who want to use the existing cable. While I don't know how many are building their own units nor choosing to reuse their own cable, I can only assume it's a small number to those who choose to buy the pre-assembled version. This allows users to avoid needing to modify the case (other then the initial open).