In India, a DIY faces one common problem that is to get the PCB done. There are lots of firms that manufacture PCB but the ordered quantity required is very high else order value should be minimum 5 to 6k.
Here is the process for making PCB at home.
Material :
plain copper clad board : mostly available in cities
Photo glossy paper : used for printing greetings ,invites .available at stationary shops [5/- Rs a sheet approx]
laser printer: to print the layout; use plastic toner, not ink -> Being plastics, toner is resistant to etching solutions used for making PCBs.
One cloth Iron
Steel wool: available as utensil cleaner, Kitchen scrubs
A hand drill for PCB drilling.
Chemicals: Ferric chloride [for etching], HCL [optional - just as accelerator] -usually the acid is available as bathroom cleaner Soap, plastic tray/bucket
PCB Design Software :
Eagle free: has some limitation as per component count.
Express PCB: Free easy to use. I preferred to use this one.
it will allow you to print the layout , Use a virtual PDF printer like pdf 995 ( www.pdf995.com ), CutePDF ( http://www.cutepdf.com/ ). Get the pdf, you can take the same to the neighboring printing shop where you can get a laser print.
Printing: the design should be printed on the photo glossy paper, try many types to choose the most suitable one.
Board cleaning: first scratch the copper side with steel wool till it gets clean and shiny.
Iron on: place the glossy paper where you printed the design over the copper side, so that it doesn't move, u can use clips. Heat the iron at max setting, Iron over the paper side 3-4 times, press hard doing so. As the paper sticks to the board, let it cool, put in water, lets it absorb water. Now slowly rub the paper and the paper goes away leaving the tracks.
Etch the till you get your PCB:
Now take 20/30 g ferric chloride mix with water just enough to dip the board on the plastic tray.
Place the board on the mixture and leave it for 8 /9 hours apporx.
If you have the diluted HCL add it a little, this will accelerate the task and will take 4 hours approx .
After etching remove the black ink by scratching with steel wool etc. Your board is ready now.
Use the hand drill to make the holes, this is a tedious task as one has to drill 70-300 holes depending upon the board!!!
:)
Here is the process for making PCB at home.
Material :
plain copper clad board : mostly available in cities
Photo glossy paper : used for printing greetings ,invites .available at stationary shops [5/- Rs a sheet approx]
laser printer: to print the layout; use plastic toner, not ink -> Being plastics, toner is resistant to etching solutions used for making PCBs.
One cloth Iron
Steel wool: available as utensil cleaner, Kitchen scrubs
A hand drill for PCB drilling.
Chemicals: Ferric chloride [for etching], HCL [optional - just as accelerator] -usually the acid is available as bathroom cleaner Soap, plastic tray/bucket
PCB Design Software :
Eagle free: has some limitation as per component count.
Express PCB: Free easy to use. I preferred to use this one.
it will allow you to print the layout , Use a virtual PDF printer like pdf 995 ( www.pdf995.com ), CutePDF ( http://www.cutepdf.com/ ). Get the pdf, you can take the same to the neighboring printing shop where you can get a laser print.
Printing: the design should be printed on the photo glossy paper, try many types to choose the most suitable one.
Board cleaning: first scratch the copper side with steel wool till it gets clean and shiny.
Iron on: place the glossy paper where you printed the design over the copper side, so that it doesn't move, u can use clips. Heat the iron at max setting, Iron over the paper side 3-4 times, press hard doing so. As the paper sticks to the board, let it cool, put in water, lets it absorb water. Now slowly rub the paper and the paper goes away leaving the tracks.
Etch the till you get your PCB:
Now take 20/30 g ferric chloride mix with water just enough to dip the board on the plastic tray.
Place the board on the mixture and leave it for 8 /9 hours apporx.
If you have the diluted HCL add it a little, this will accelerate the task and will take 4 hours approx .
After etching remove the black ink by scratching with steel wool etc. Your board is ready now.
Use the hand drill to make the holes, this is a tedious task as one has to drill 70-300 holes depending upon the board!!!
:)
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