179
edits
PCB etching instructions: Difference between revisions
From London Hackspace Wiki
no edit summary
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Note : see '''[[Pcb]]''' for other references | |||
== PCB Etching Process == | |||
Here's the overall process | Here's the overall process for producing PCBs @ LHS | ||
<graphviz border='frame' format='svg' > | <graphviz border='frame' format='svg' > | ||
| Line 36: | Line 37: | ||
</graphviz> | </graphviz> | ||
=== Printing Board Schematic === | |||
== Printing Board Schematic == | |||
Plain paper works surprisingly well! The printers at the space do a good job. | Plain paper works surprisingly well! The printers at the space do a good job. | ||
| Line 52: | Line 48: | ||
=== Double Sided Boards === | ==== Double Sided Boards ==== | ||
There's a couple of extra steps required for two-sided boards: | There's a couple of extra steps required for two-sided boards: | ||
| Line 63: | Line 59: | ||
See also [[Project:PCB_Making#Double_sided_boards|Double sided boards]] | See also [[Project:PCB_Making#Double_sided_boards|Double sided boards]] | ||
== UV Exposure == | === UV Exposure === | ||
Use the [[Equipment/UV_Exposure_Box|UV Exposure Box]] to expose a photosensitve board. | Use the [[Equipment/UV_Exposure_Box|UV Exposure Box]] to expose a photosensitve board. | ||
| Line 73: | Line 69: | ||
Ensure that there are no creases or folds, and that your paper/film is perfectly flat against the photo board! | Ensure that there are no creases or folds, and that your paper/film is perfectly flat against the photo board! | ||
== Developing == | === Developing === | ||
Put the board in the developer ([[Equipment/PCB_etch_station#1st_Tank_-_Developer|tank A]]). Developer does not need to be heated to above room temperature to remain effective. Developing should take around 30 seconds to a minute or so - but check on the board to see when it is complete. All of the copper to be removed should be exposed, and only your tracks should remain coloured ( probably green for UV exposure board). | Put the board in the developer ([[Equipment/PCB_etch_station#1st_Tank_-_Developer|tank A]]). Developer does not need to be heated to above room temperature to remain effective. Developing should take around 30 seconds to a minute or so - but check on the board to see when it is complete. All of the copper to be removed should be exposed, and only your tracks should remain coloured ( probably green for UV exposure board). | ||
| Line 81: | Line 77: | ||
'''NOTE''' : the developer in tank A is from Mega Electronics, also sold through Rapid. It works well with photo PCB material from the same source. It does ''NOT'' work with Maplin photo material ! | '''NOTE''' : the developer in tank A is from Mega Electronics, also sold through Rapid. It works well with photo PCB material from the same source. It does ''NOT'' work with Maplin photo material ! | ||
== Etch == | === Etch === | ||
The Cupric Chloride etchant is in [[Equipment/PCB_etch_station#2nd_Tank_-_Etchant|tank B]] | The Cupric Chloride etchant is in [[Equipment/PCB_etch_station#2nd_Tank_-_Etchant|tank B]] | ||
| Line 89: | Line 85: | ||
After this stage you should rinse the board in water before touching it with your hands, and stripping the photo resist. | After this stage you should rinse the board in water before touching it with your hands, and stripping the photo resist. | ||
== Stripper == | === Stripper === | ||
The stripper is in [[Equipment/PCB_etch_station#3rd_Tank_-_stripper|Tank C]] | The stripper is in [[Equipment/PCB_etch_station#3rd_Tank_-_stripper|Tank C]] | ||
| Line 97: | Line 93: | ||
After this stage, you may want to rinse the PCB in clean water, and then IPA. | After this stage, you may want to rinse the PCB in clean water, and then IPA. | ||
== Drilling == | === Drilling === | ||
Some people have found drilling holes works best using the [[Equipment/Mill|mill]]. Normal drill press probably not ideal (not immune enough to wandering!). | Some people have found drilling holes works best using the [[Equipment/Mill|mill]]. Normal drill press probably not ideal (not immune enough to wandering!). | ||
== Test / Assembly == | === Test / Assembly === | ||
If you're doing a double sided board, you'll need to solder up your vias first (we have no through hole plating facilities). A bit of solid core wire works well for this. | If you're doing a double sided board, you'll need to solder up your vias first (we have no through hole plating facilities). A bit of solid core wire works well for this. | ||
