Freeforming
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- A technique used for the miniaturization of circuits, achieved through the elimination of circuit boards. Generally, circuit components are glued or clamped together, then their leads are soldered together. In some cases, a piece of structure (such as a solar cell) is used as a "substrate," and components are glued directly to it.
Freeforming is a useful technique for a number of purposes:
- Minimizing a robot's weight -- this can be a very critical thing for very small bots with small, none-too-strong, motors
- Reducing a robot's cost -- there are no PCBs to build or buy
- Minimizing a robot's size
- Aesthetics -- freeforming often allows you to make very attractive 'bots, using circuit pieces as artistic elements
Like anything, 'though, it has its drawbacks:
- Irreversability -- it's very nearly impossible to change your circuit once it is glued and soldered together
- Maintenance -- if any circuit component burns out, it's very difficult to replace. More often than not the entire circuit is thrown away.
- Construction difficulty -- freeformed circuits have a thicket of connections in a very tight space, so hand-eye coordination, and soldering skills will be put to the test
