PCB for the hacker

Frederic Breitwieser frederic.breitwieser at xephic.dynip.com
Sat Jun 6 19:28:48 GMT 1998


>Just came across this site, might be good for someone that needs a quick
>jumpstart in doing PCB's as well as a free software package. I don't think
>it is somthing for group buys, but if you need an easy way to make a pcb,
>check it out.

Sandy & Gang -

Thanks for posting the information.  I finally got to checking it out, and
I see why they can afford to give their software away for free, they charge
about $91 for a 4x6" circuit board.  For one offs, that's just fine, but
for mass production, I'd negotiate with them in a major way.

Making your own circuit boards, depending on the technology you are going
to solder to it, is not all that difficult.  If you have access to a
shareware/freeware PCB layout software, its even easier.

You plot your single sided board to your laser printer (or the one at your
local library) onto thin paper, something in the range of 14 or 16lb paper.
(cheap copier paper will do).  Then, you place a piece of carbon paper, or
impression transfer paper onto the circuit board, put your printed design
on top of that, tape it together so it doesn't move, and trace the layout
with a pencil.  Almost as easy as a coloring book.  Once your design is on
the copper side of the circuit board, you use the "PCB MARKING PEN" from
Radio Shack, and trace over the carbon copy/transferred drawing with the
pen, then etch like you normally would.  You need two trays to etch, one
for the "etchant" and one for the "stop etchant".  This process is much
like developing photographs.  In fact, photographic trays are the best
thing to use for making circuit board.  They are more expensive than the
crap Radio Shack sells, but they can support 8x10 and 11x17 depending on
the tray size you get.

Another little tip I'll pass along... is in regards to drilling holes
through the copper traces to mount the electronic components.  If you are
like me, always in a rush and incredibly lazy, here is a trick you can use
so you don't have to drill a single hole.

When tracing the board through the carbon paper, turn your laser printout
over, so its reverse.  Its harder to see through the paper, but its doable
with good lighting.  Trace it as you normally would, then solder the
components on the copper side, rather than the other side.  You simply
"tin" the integrated circuit lead or other part, as well as the pad its
mounting to.  Then apply the soldering iron, and viola, the part is
mounted.  This recommendation is basically how the robotics stuff mounts
surface mount technology components to the circuit board.

Good luck and have fun :)


Frederic Breitwieser
Bridgeport, CT 06606

Homebrew Automotive Website:
http://www.xephic.dynip.com/

:When in doubt, by two."
-



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