PCB Edge USB C Connector Library

In a similar vein, I discovered and have started using the Tag-Connect TC2030-USB to program/troubleshoot my boards. While it's technically/originally intended as a way to do JTAG debugging, I am completely enamored with the ability to drop a footprint on my PCB and be able to connect to it without having to place a relatively expensive connector (or a connector at all) that I don't necessarily want users interacting with.

https://www.tag-connect.com/solutions-target-devices/usb-ser...

They have FTDI versions as well, for those who want the full USB boot/reset treatment.

Also, they have another connector for attaching to castellated edges. I think it's just so clever.

Doesn't it require ENIG? I wanted edge connector for my pcb project but it adds $20 to the price of pcb, that's just too much. Anyone knows card edge alternative? I'm thinking pin header but that's not very user friendly. Edge card can be inserted blindly even if you don't see the connector, pin header would probably just bend irl.

What PCB thickness is optimal? The USB-C tongue on a shieldless part I use is ~0.7mm, which is a pretty thin PCB.

That's cool but I am not sure how a customer of mine would feel if I shipped a board to them like that. (I could see trying it on a project for myself, though.)

Very clever packaging of a connector

If you're interested in other PCB edge connectors, here's an HDMI one I designed:

https://forum.kicad.info/t/hdmi-pcb-edge-connector-for-raspb...

Here is a similar project in the sense that it uses no connectors on the PCBs, using a SOIC-8 clip to bite into the board. I think it's pretty clever.

https://github.com/SimonMerrett/SOICbite/