Project:PCB Making: Difference between revisions

From London Hackspace Wiki

no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Project maintained by Daniel Sikar ~/ dsikaratgmaildotcom.
Project no longer maintained, was maintained by by Daniel Sikar ~/ dsikaratgmaildotcom.
 
'''To see the canonical guide on how to etch PCBs at the LHS go to this page: [[Pcb etching instructions]]  '''
 
Note : see '''[[PCB]]''' for other references


{{ProjectDetails|ProjectTitle=PCB_Making}}
{{ProjectDetails|ProjectTitle=PCB_Making}}
Line 10: Line 14:
==== Equipment ====
==== Equipment ====


There is an ongoing pledge campaign to improve facilities with a [[PCBEtchTank|better etch tank]]
The etch station needs thoughtful operation and occasional maintenance. See [[Equipment/PCB etch station]] for details.


== Motivation ==
== Motivation ==
Line 31: Line 35:
There are also [http://www.opencircuits.com/Chemical_Etchants alternatives] to some of the chemical processes - e.g.
There are also [http://www.opencircuits.com/Chemical_Etchants alternatives] to some of the chemical processes - e.g.


[[Cupric_chloride_etchant|Air-regenerated etchant]]
*[[Cupric_chloride_etchant|Air-regenerated etchant]]
*[http://www.nontoxicprint.com/etchcopperandbrass.htm Edinburgh etch]
 
Some other pages on this wiki with other process details are [[Pcb_etching_instructions]] and [[Project:DIY_PCB_Making]]


Another guide can be found here : [http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs.html Mike's electric stuff]
Other guides can be found here : [http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs.html Mike's electric stuff] and here [http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=835 Blondihacks]


== Bill of Materials (BOM) ==
== Bill of Materials (BOM) ==


# Photoresist Copper-clad board [http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2033 Maplin product page (code FA61R)].
# Photoresist Copper-clad board [http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2033 Maplin product page (code FA61R)].
:NOTE if you have to use maplin PCB, you MUST use maplin developer or Sodium Hydroxide. It does NOT work with the developer in the hackspace PCB station.  
# Universal PCB Developer (Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate) [http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2085 Maplin product page (code AP01B)]. - full bottle purchased 05-Aug-2010
# Universal PCB Developer (Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate) [http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2085 Maplin product page (code AP01B)]. - full bottle purchased 05-Aug-2010
# Ferric chloride [http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2097 Maplin product page (code XX12N)].
# Ferric chloride [http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2097 Maplin product page (code XX12N)].
Line 163: Line 171:
== Notes ==
== Notes ==


=== Universal PCB Solution ===
=== Universal PCB Developer ===


According to the [http://www.chilternconnections.co.uk/ZENCART/HANDSSHEETS/Etching%20Products/PDSM_MSDS.pdf safety datasheet] of the PCB photoresist developer (Universal PCB Developer, manufactured by Chiltern Connections Ltd and sold by Maplin), the compound is Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate, containing the hazardous ingredient Disodium Metasilicate at a concentration of 58%.
According to the [http://www.chilternconnections.co.uk/ZENCART/HANDSSHEETS/Etching%20Products/PDSM_MSDS.pdf safety datasheet] of the PCB photoresist developer (Universal PCB Developer, manufactured by Chiltern Connections Ltd and sold by Maplin), the compound is Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate, containing the hazardous ingredient Disodium Metasilicate at a concentration of 58%.
Line 251: Line 259:


* Addendum: My first board was ruined by leaving a lip where I'd cut it (hacksaw). Always make sure the board is perfectly flat! I left some developer and etchant in the trays since I'm sure they'd by good for a few more runs and I wasn't sure how to dispose of them.
* Addendum: My first board was ruined by leaving a lip where I'd cut it (hacksaw). Always make sure the board is perfectly flat! I left some developer and etchant in the trays since I'm sure they'd by good for a few more runs and I wasn't sure how to dispose of them.
[[Category:PCB making]]
[[Category:Guides]]