I want to make PCB's, how? (Printed Circuit Boards)

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2005-07-14 08:30am

I got some schematics here and I've even bought components but the store had no boards that I could, they had some copper things filled with holes, looked primitive, I am looking forsome way to make my own paths and stuff.
Doesn't there exist like a magic pen you can use to draw paths on a board and then you make the holes for the components and solder 'em good and proper?

EDIT, this is a design I just made, I copied the paths from this ALDL interface I have, I don't think it works quite properly so I planned to use this to make my own interface:
http://www.unitednucular.com/misc/image ... d_aldl.gif

I also planned to make this, if it works, I am not sure it is properly wired:
http://www.unitednucular.com/misc/images/bgr.gif
This is another ALDL interface but it will connect to the parallel port instead of a serial port.

WyrdNyrd · Post by **WyrdNyrd** » 2005-07-14 08:41am

There is a "magic pen", but it's not quite that simple.

You start with a copper-covered board. Then you draw the traces with the pen. THEN you have to bathe the board in acid to etch away the non-covered copper.

When you withdraw the board from the acid, you can wash off the special ink, and then you have your copper traces all laid out for you. (Unless you didn't leave it in the acid for long enough, of course.)

Then you can drill your holes, add your components, and solder.

The other stuff you were looking at is pre-drilled breadboard. All the holes along one row are connected via a single strip of copper, although you're free to cut out a small section of that strip, splitting it into multiple strips.

You don't have the flexibility of laying out your own traces, and it's more expensive, but it is a lot less hassle than drilling your own holes and doing your own acid-etching.

I'd suggest looking for a good, practical electronics guide to get the specifics, as well as any tips for best results. I can only remember a bit of the stuff I did at 'varsity, 10 years ago, and even then, my board never worked.

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2005-07-14 08:57am

These copper boards, you can make traces on both sides right?

It does sound like the solution I will require, gonnago shopping now then I guess...

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » 2005-07-14 09:06am

Your local electronics shop will probably sell etching kits that come with everything you need, except possibly etching tanks.

Just be careful with the solution, it's not exactly skin friendly.

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2005-07-14 09:06am

Oh and anyone know of any good online stores for this? The electronic shop in Vasa had nothing of what I needed and didn't know anyone that had.

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2005-07-14 09:08am

Spyder wrote:Your local electronics shop will probably sell etching kits that come with everything you need, except possibly etching tanks.

They had the components but nothing for the boards but that preholed crap.

And etching tanks, I got all kinds of containers here, some that regulary store acidic stuff, good thing too because they are expensive.

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » 2005-07-14 09:11am

None that would be of use unfortunately, although this is the stuff you're after.

The Ferric Chloride might be an interesting one to get hold of if you can't find a hobbyist electronics shop. Try looking for an electronics supplier.

WyrdNyrd · Post by **WyrdNyrd** » 2005-07-14 09:47am

His Divine Shadow wrote:These copper boards, you can make traces on both sides right?

Not the ones I used, way back when, but I guess it's perfectly possible. Once you find anyone that can sell them to you, ask if they have any with copper plating on both sides.

Aside: Modern motherboard PCBs have as many as SIX layers of traces! I'm guessing that's well beyond the capability of home enthusiasts to emulate. The added complexity actually pushes up the final price of the m/b noticeably, so that m/b manufacturers really like chipset designs that allow them to use just four layers.

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2005-07-14 09:57am

I can do with just one layer, I could just make do with wires on the topside.

Too bad I can't find an online shop willing to ship to me.

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2005-07-14 10:43am

Now this is an interesting pen
http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/s ... /1530-0102

Spyder · Post by **Spyder** » 2005-07-14 10:53am

WyrdNyrd wrote:
His Divine Shadow wrote:These copper boards, you can make traces on both sides right?
Not the ones I used, way back when, but I guess it's perfectly possible. Once you find anyone that can sell them to you, ask if they have any with copper plating on both sides.

Aside: Modern motherboard PCBs have as many as SIX layers of traces! I'm guessing that's well beyond the capability of home enthusiasts to emulate. The added complexity actually pushes up the final price of the m/b noticeably, so that m/b manufacturers really like chipset designs that allow them to use just four layers.

Aside from the obvious physical difficulty, the cost of building a motherboard by hand is horrendous, especially if you star considering the time taken to complete such a feat. Manufacturing by assembly line is vastly cheaper.