Group DIY

Updated 19 Dec 2003.

GHow to make a PCB

.....even in the kitchen ??
This page is still very under construction !!
so stay tuned.

Here we will try to pass on the know how to make a PCB.
Some of what I will show here has been done in a work shop but I hope in the long run
this will be simple enough to be able to achieve this in the kitchen at home.

There are a few things that are needed to get from one end of this process to the other.

To begin with, you will need a design or layout.
You will find enough on that front on most of the pages and links about Group DIY.

You will need a way to get this design on to a transparency.
A printer attached to a computer, to either print directly onto the transparency film or to a sheet of paper to put through a photocopier and copy onto the transparency film. Oh and the transparency film of course. This is available from Office Suppliers and get the transparency film that suits the machine you will be using.

Pre sensitized PCB board. Get positive etch type of board, trust me here, it is just easier that way.
Your local electronics supplier will have a selection and please do your research first as time spent here could save a lot of grief in the future.
This same supplier should also have the developer and the etchant required for the chosen product. I am currently using materials available form Farnell.

If you plan to buy large sheets, a method of cutting the PCB will be required. Be aware that you need to be gentle with the PCB when cutting as any scratches will effect the develop/etch process later. A small industrial guillotine is great for this but very expensive. I don't have a solution or substitute for this yet.... sorry.

A UV ( Ultra violet ) light box.
There are UV tubes available that can be built into a wooden box. Not that hard and I hope to provide some detail soon.

A timer.
Again, I'll be working on that.

Small Jeweler's Drill.
Again this is expensive but here are cheaper alternatives available from hobby shops. Buy searching the surplus store and second hand pages, you never know what you might find. It should be said that a good drill will make things easier and neater.

__

_

Don't leave things in the develop too long or you will lose the track all together.

_ _

And don't leave things too long in the etch as again you will lose the tracks.

Light Box for PCB making.
http://www.atm-workshop.com/light-box.html

This is very similar to the method I use.
Http://www.mgchemicals.com/techsupport/photo_demo.html

Jakob of Gyraf Audio has also looked into the pros. and cons. of make a PCB or two.
http://www.gyraf.dk/gyraf2/gy_pd/pcbs.htm

Mikes DIY - PCB page
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs.html

Frank of NRG Recording
also has a page on etching PCBs
http://www.nrgrecording.de/html/pcb.html

Group DIY
Can be found at :
http://recording.org/users/kev/

Brought to you by kev
Kev's Home Page