Handmade printed circuit boards (PCBs) are often used in the fields of robotics and electronics. Here are the basic steps for building a printed circuit board.
Steps
Step 1. Design your circuit
Use design software (such as CAD) to draw your circuit. You can also use a pre-punched board, which will help you understand how the circuit components should be placed and how they will work once the board is made.
Step 2. Purchase a card, coated with a thin layer of copper on one side, from a specialist dealer
Step 3. Scrub the card with a sponge and water to make sure the copper is clean
Let the card dry.
Step 4. Print your circuit design on the dull side of a blue transfer paper
Make sure the design is oriented correctly for transfer.
Step 5. Place the blue transfer paper on the board, with the circuit design in contact with the copper
Step 6. Spread a sheet of white paper over the blue paper
Following the instructions of the transfer paper, iron the two sheets to transfer the design to the copper card. Pass the tip of the iron over every detail that appears near an edge or corner of the board.
Step 7. Let the card and blue card cool
Slowly peel the blue paper off the card to see the transferred design.
Step 8. Examine the transfer paper to verify that the black toner on the printed sheet has completely transferred to the copper card
Make sure the card design is oriented correctly.
Step 9. Add the missing parts of the design to the card with a black permanent marker
Let the ink dry for a few hours.
Step 10. Remove the exposed parts of the copper from the board using ferric chloride; this process is called etching
- Wear old clothes, gloves, and a pair of safety glasses.
- Heat the ferric chloride, which you have stored in a non-corrosive jar and sealed with a non-corrosive lid, in a bucket of hot water. Do not heat above 46 ° C to prevent toxic fumes from being produced.
- Pour enough ferric chloride to fill a plastic tray; the tray must be equipped with plastic uprights to be able to support the circuit. Make sure you do this in a well-ventilated place.
- Use pliers to arrange the front of the circuit down on the backs of the tray. Leave the board in this position for 5-20 minutes, depending on the size of the circuit, to allow the exposed copper to drip off during the etching phase. Use the plastic tongs to shake the card and tray if you want to speed up the etching process.
Step 11. Wash the card and the equipment used for engraving with plenty of running water
Step 12. Drill 0.8mm holes to insert board components, using steel or hard metal bits, and a high-speed drill
During the operation, wear protective goggles and a mask to protect the eyes and lungs.
Step 13. Scrub the card with a sponge under running water
Add the electrical components to the board and solder them in place.
Advice
- During the etching process, always wear old clothing, gloves, and safety glasses when handling ferric chloride or other hazardous chemicals.
- Read a book on how to make printed circuit boards to learn how to design and build them.
- Ammonium persulfate is an abrasive chemical product which, during the etching process, can be used as an alternative to ferric chloride.
Warnings
- Etching chemicals can stain clothes and faucets. Keep chemical abrasives safe, and use them with caution when handling.
- Never pour chloride into metal pipes and do not store it in metal containers. Ferric chloride corrodes metal and is poisonous.
