PCB Etching
From Fixme.ch
Contents
Description
A logical extension to the Kicad workshop (electronics design) is to realize the designed PCB. There are 3 ways to produce PCBs at FIXME (with the required components):
- PCB Milling with a CNC Router
- PCB Etching using toner transfer method
- PCB Etching using the photosensitive positive method
Goal
- Make custom PCBs for FIXME members and projects.
Obstacles
PCB Milling with a CNC Router:
- Cost
- Make a lot of dust
PCB Etching using toner transfer method:
- Use chemicals requiring precautions for use
PCB Etching using the photosensitive positive method:
- Use chemicals requiring precautions for use
- Need an insolation box
- Number of step for the process
Components
- Iron(III) chloride / Perchlorure de fer Corrosive!
or
- HCl + H2O2 / Acide chlorydrique + Peroxyde d'Hydrogène (eau oxygénée) => HCl+H2O2 method on Hackaday
Procedure
There are 3 main steps
- Printing
- Transfer
- Exposure/Etching
Printing
- Print your layout (reversed!) on a glossy support (i.e. magazine paper) with a laser printer/photocopier. Inkjet printers don't work.
- Cut the paper to the size of the PCB
Transfer
- First of all, use a fine steel wool to clean your PCB material before transfer. Do not touch the surface with your fingers, as they are acid (somewhere between 4.5 and 6 pH)
- Put the printed layout on the copper board
- Set your iron to the max. temperature and apply a lot of pressure without moving (for 2-3 minutes ?)
- Motion the iron around for 5 minutes on the board
(to be continued)
Etching
(to be continued)
Safety
Equipment:
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Lab coat
Docs:
- Iron(III) chloride / Perchlorure de fer : (de) Sicherheitsdatenblatt (fr) Fiche de sécurité
- Stop using Ferric Chloride etchant : [On instructables]
