Making PCBs

MikeM

Hey guys

Does anyone have experience with etching pcbs? I'm looking to make a board or 2, but have heard it can be a bit of a finicky job. How accessible are the materials?

Thanks folks

Nicholas-L

Quite right it can be a bit finicky but taking your time will make it all work out. Etching solution and copper clad board is readily available at RS Comp, Communica most other electronics shops. There are however a few methods to get your pcb layout on the pcb. Currently I'm going to attempt to use the photoresistive method where the pcb has a positive photo layer on it and you transfer the image unto the pcb with UV light. then etch.

JeremyE

Hi Mike

I have done a large amount of pedals this way. I started with a transparency sheet and ironing it (which transfers the toner) onto the copper clad board and then etching. This way is quite a mission and its relatively hard to get great results as the toner often smears.

The second method I used was etching with UV. The best and fastest method we found for etching a lot of boards! Basically you can buy normal copper clad boards, then you get a special spray to spray on (I know RS and Mantech stock it), otherwise they also do make the special boards so that you dont need the spray, let it dry for 5 mins, then place a your template (also on a transparency) on top of the board and then expose to UV for required time to transfer the image to the board.

Then etch.
When etching, agitate the etchant to speed the process, you can do this by either manually agitating the board, or by using a fish pump to bubble the solution.

I have easily managed to complete the whole process in 10 mins before.

Then use a drill press for the tedious job of drilling. Finally clean the board with acetone and BAM solder up the cct.

JeremyE

Just something I left out, the nice thing with the photo resistive spray, is that if for some reason you have a bad UV transfer you can simply clean the copper and start again. Whereas with the photo resistive copper if you mess up the board is wasted.

JeremyE

JeremyE wrote: Just something I left out, the nice thing with the photo resistive spray, is that if for some reason you have a bad UV transfer you can simply clean the copper and start again. Whereas with the photo resistive copper if you mess up the board is wasted.

Here's the stuff I am refering to:

http://za.rs-online.com/web/p/pcb-processing/1989651/

or

http://www.mantech.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?Item=90M0023

Nicholas-L

+1 to Jeremy's posts.

Here is a youtube vid or two about it....

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Overkill on info lol... but overkill is under rated. ?

Psean

An old one, I know, but it seems like the appropriate thread...
I'm etching a board today and was wondering where to dispose of the ferric chloride when I'm done. What do you guys do?

Thanks
Sean

RobbieZ

If you only need to make a few boards and you are not too concerned with neatness, just lay the board out with masking tape. Then remove the masking tape that will form the tracks and paint it with nail polish. Then remove all the masking tape. Edge the copper off and remove the nail polish.

As far as disposing of the ferri-chloride: You can drop it off at a chemical disposal company.

aja

CNC is an option too:

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Manfred-Klose

I'm etching a board today and was wondering where to dispose of the ferric chloride when I'm done. What do you guys do?

well i stored ferrid chloride in a jar(with warning signs on it), that has been standing in my garage forever.

but there seems to be some ideas if you google
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=50426.0

Psean

Thanks guys. I etched the board a bit earlier using transparencies and it came out alright - I'm happy with the result. I'll probably just pour what I've used into a smaller bottle and eventually find a chemical disposal place in JHB.

Psean

Manfred Klose wrote:
I'm etching a board today and was wondering where to dispose of the ferric chloride when I'm done. What do you guys do?
well i stored ferrid chloride in a jar(with warning signs on it), that has been standing in my garage forever.

but there seems to be some ideas if you google
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=50426.0

Thanks for the link?