Difference between revisions of "PCB Etching"

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(Participant)
(Procedure)
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==Procedure==
 
==Procedure==
There is generally 3 steps
+
There are 3 main steps
 
*Printing
 
*Printing
 
*Transfer
 
*Transfer
 
*Exposure/Etching
 
*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 ==
 
== Safety ==

Revision as of 00:25, 7 December 2012

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

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:

Schedule

Participant