Making Good Quality PCBs at Home
by Dr.A.T.P.L.Jayashantha.(MBBS-Sri Lanka)
Medical Officer in Anaesthesia,Provincial General Hospital Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.
(The author bears no responsibility for any danger or losses associated with the practices published in this site and those who are practicing whatever the thing included in this blog, should bear the associated any danger or losses)
(The author bears no responsibility for any danger or losses associated with the practices published in this site and those who are practicing whatever the thing included in this blog, should bear the associated any danger or losses)
Hii..! My friends...Good news to you all......
As electronic hobbyists, one of the main dreams you all are having may be making a good quality PCB (ie. precise and professionally looking PCBs as in the picture).
Although there are various methods of making PCBs at home (eg. drawing the artwork, screen printing, use of light sensitive paints, presensitized copper clad boards...etc) one may find various difficulties when making 1 or 2 PCBs.
According to my personal experience, if you are not following such an expensive Technic, most of you should be fedup with making good quality PCBs , being unable to get the PCB artwork on to the copper clad board.
DON'T WORRY
Today onward you will be making good PCBs following a simpler method.
STEP 1 : Designing a PCB artwork.
There are many CAD softwares for this purpose eg: PCB Artist, Express PCB, KICAD, ORCAD, ..etc. Here I have used PCB Artist to design a PCB artwork.
Then the bottom copper layer was converted to a PDF file by Primo PDF software.
( you can skip this).
You can simply print the artwork directly from the PCB Artist or after converting to a PDF file. The next thing is the MOST IMPORTANT in this method. That is , you have to take the print out on to the GLOSSY, NON-STICKY surface of a back paper of a sticker. (Peel off the sticker and use the back glossy, non-sticky paper). As the printer, you must use a Laser Printer or a Photo Copier using Toner. Laser Printer
the Print out
STEP 3 : Transferring the Print on to the copper clad board
Clean thoroughly the copper surface of the copper board with "Vim" or any other detergent, leaving no oil, stains or dusts. Wash well with water and keep under a fan to get it dry well. Then as the Pictures show, place the copper clad board over the print out in a way that the copper surface is well touched with the print. Using adhesive tapes fix the two to prevent relative movements.
Then place the unit over a flat surface like a book in a way that the copper side of the copper board facing upward. Now you have to keep a hot Iron over the unit and gently move for ~30-60 seconds. But before doing this keep another plain paper over it as in the picture.
Then place a weight over the unit and let it cool for ~10 min.
This is the wonderful time you were awaiting for. Take the unit out . Gently remove the adhesive tapes. Then peel off the sticker paper. (this is not difficult, because the tapes are not well stick to the back paper of the sticker )
You will be wonder. You will see the print on the copper surface perfectly as it was printed directly on it by the printer. Nothing left on the paper. What else do you want in making good PCBs ?
STEP 4 : Etching
STEP 5 : Finalizing
Smooth the edges with a sanding paper. Remove toner by vigorous rubbing with some detergent using a sponge. Rinse well with clean water and allow to dry under a fan.
To prevent copper oxidation apply a thin coat of French Polish over the copper surface and allow to dry.
Once it is dry in 5-6 hours drill and use to build the circuit.
Hi..........! The lesson is over . Are you keeping well ?
Start making PCBs.
Leave your comments here or email to drjayashantha@gmail.com
