PCB Etching

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)

Most of this procedure is highly inspired by the [Hubcitylab Hackerspace Post CC - BY - 3.0]

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]

Participant

• User:Corecode
• User:Nemen
• User:Sasha
• User:Noskill