PCB Etching Machine. Save money and time....

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As you can see from the picture. This is my DIY etching machine.
I constructed this etching machine almost 10 years ago(1998)...
Following step is the construction detail..... Enjoy...

E:\My Documents\My Videos\DIY Ecthing Machine.wmv1 MB

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Step 1: Detergent container being use as etching container... (Recycle...)

$C:\Documents and Settings\Sagutric\Desktop\CIMG0232.jpg$

As you can see from the picture. I am using recycle detergent container to do the etching. The detergent container measuring L=25cm X W=13cm X H=6cm. By using pen knife, cut out some of the area which is large enough for you to place your PCB into the container. Please leave some space on the edge of the container where you don't want your etching solution to spill out during etching process. This is important because the water will be disturb vigorously.

Arkarinum says: Nov 25, 2008. 7:14 AM

What is the system's power consumption in watts?

SAGUTRIC (author) in reply to ArkarinumNov 26, 2008. 8:38 AM

Hi there. The battery i use is 12VDC and the current consumption for the motor about 1A or less as i am using PWM at low speed. Assuming P=IV. The power is 12Watt. Thanks.

xxgemini says: Oct 7, 2008. 1:49 PM

what an awsome idea.... i want one !!

djbarista says: Mar 22, 2008. 8:20 AM

(removed by author or community request)

djbarista in reply to djbaristaMar 22, 2008. 8:21 AM

What the heck would I want to Etch my PCB's in the first place. this is the first mention I've ever heard of it? Do it remove nasty solder bits?

w00ty32 in reply to djbaristaMar 31, 2008. 11:53 AM

no, etching is to prepare a plain copper pcb to be used in a project. insteadof using prototype board and jumpers, one basically draws the pattern of the circuit with permant marker on to the plan copper board, puts it in the etching solution (in this case ferric chloride) and keeps it moving for a certain amount of time. the point of this instructable is to show what one person had done so that he didn't haveto keep the solution moving, he made a machine.

and i find it hard to believe that you are putting down this man, when you yourself haven't even heard of PCB etching, when if you type it in that search box up there, you will find many instructables on it.

nedfunnell in reply to w00ty32Jun 3, 2008. 4:16 PM

Good LORD are you thick. Here you are criticizing people for saying "It's my first instructable" when you haven't even written one yet. You go further and completely rail on his project when you don't know what it's for- then you blame him for being so ignorant. Get a grip! You're the problem!

djbarista in reply to nedfunnellJun 3, 2008. 11:32 PM

Thank You Kind SIR! I was hoping to get my first instructable done, but see I am a perfectionist to a little extent. I want it to be perfect. Pictures, Tags, Steps, tools, etc. When the economy gives an upturn and I can stop working 70 hrs a week, I'll get it done. Until Lets all have fun with the comments Box! Its for Opinions. And I do believe they are still free round these parts, part. Eat Some Today!

Esmagamus in reply to djbaristaJun 5, 2008. 5:08 PM

So, you demand this man a no-excuses-first-class-Instructable and then you give us a pile of your own excuses. And why would someone want a PCB etching machine? Because etching circuits by hand is too expensive and time-consuming. Get some character instead of acting tough to look like you have it.

djbarista in reply to EsmagamusJun 5, 2008. 6:55 PM

Flame On please! Flame on.

nedfunnell in reply to djbaristaJun 4, 2008. 9:04 AM

Truth hurts, doesn't it? Let me know when you finish that perfect instructable.

djbarista in reply to w00ty32Mar 31, 2008. 9:24 PM

so to fully utilize this Instructable I have to go elsewhere to learn what the heck its for. I think you would naturally want to turn people on to this IDEA, therefore you'd want to spark interest in the Non-etchers as well as the seasoned etchers. Now that you've explained why I might want to use this, I might look at it in a more Postitive light. I never knew you could custom PCB boards without a ton of solder or a multi-million dollar factory. If you search for 5 Star Instructables you will see good ones too.

w00ty32 in reply to djbaristaMar 31, 2008. 10:15 PM

i think the reason he didn't post how to etch is becuase there are already many good instructables on how to etch, and he might have thought it would just be extra pointless writing he would do, when people could just click on one of the many links right next to his instructable. he also probably made the assumtion(sp?) that the person would know what PCB etching is, if they somehow navigated to his instructable. and if you have an interest in PCB etching try <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etchant!--A-better-etc/">this.</a> i haven't actually etched pcb's before but that one seems to be better for the enviroment and cheaper in the long run. than you for responding like a civilised person, i know many people who would have freaked out on me if i said that to them.

SAGUTRIC (author) in reply to w00ty32Apr 1, 2008. 6:37 AM

Hi Mate. Thanks for all your comment and advice. I really appreciate that. Thanks.

w00ty32 says: Mar 31, 2008. 12:01 PM

nice instructable dude, good idea to save etchant! Yah, that box looks like it has been through some better days.

pulsarprofx says: Dec 3, 2007. 5:29 AM

Oops! That URL doesn't string long enough so here it is in two lines. Join them together without a space! www.pulsarprofx.com/PCB/a_Pages/5_Support/5b_ Tips_Tricks/Tips_Tricks.html

pulsarprofx says: Dec 3, 2007. 5:26 AM

Check out a much more efficient and faster way to etch at: www.pulsarprofx.com/PCB/a_Pages/5_Support/5b_Tips_Tricks/Tips_Tricks.html

0utCold says: Oct 11, 2007. 8:49 PM

mmm its missing the whole instruct part but interesting idea

SAGUTRIC (author) in reply to 0utColdOct 13, 2007. 6:13 AM

Hi. Thanks. My initial intention was introduce my idea to you guys out there......so you guys can benefited from it. Never thought much of it.

guyfrom7up says: Oct 11, 2007. 8:38 PM

how is this really an instructable?

SAGUTRIC (author) in reply to guyfrom7upOct 13, 2007. 6:10 AM

Hi. I am sorry as my description is too brief. Firstime.....can't expect more out of it. Do let know if you need more information. Thanks.

PKM in reply to guyfrom7upOct 12, 2007. 7:03 AM

Use a little imagination. We're shown a detergent bottle with the top cut off, containing etchant and a PCB. Then we're shown the bottle on what is evidently some kind of pivoted platform driven by a cam connected to what we are told is a car window motor. The picture showing the pivot linkage isn't 100% clear but the video might show more detail- I'm on linux so can't watch WMVs but I get the idea. On an unrelated note it's a first Instructable, and I'd hazard a guess that SAGUTRIC doesn't speak english as a first language. Personally I much prefer Instructables that give the principle of how something is done and let you figure out the details around the materials you have access to, rather than "thou shalt use this specific 1.5" pipe reducer". I don't mean to sound aggressive but the text and images given explain basically everything you need to know about this machine.

dizzytired says: Oct 12, 2007. 12:14 PM

I don't know what kind of etchant you're using, or if it's anything like my old high school electronics class, but a small aquarium air pump also does the job of keeping the solution moving, I think the added air movement also aids in removing the copper, it's also a helluva lot easier. See http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-your-own-PCB-bubble-tank!/?relatedLink

SAGUTRIC (author) in reply to dizzytiredOct 13, 2007. 6:06 AM

Hi. Thanks for your interest on my project though. The chemical used here is ferric chloride..... you can use other etching chemical if you wish to, no limitation what so ever...... I do agreed a small air pump will do the job. But just think about the amount of chemical and water required for this..... Thanks.

C-h-a-v-e-z says: Oct 11, 2007. 8:42 PM

i think this instructable is just telling you that using a mechanical device to move the liquid around speeds the process without you have to keep stirring the stuff around.

SAGUTRIC (author) in reply to C-h-a-v-e-zOct 13, 2007. 6:02 AM

Hi. You are right. Basically this machine will save your time on stirring the solution. Its all done by it self after the initial preparation... Cheers.

frollard in reply to C-h-a-v-e-zOct 12, 2007. 5:03 PM

The idea on this one is to use the curved back wall of a container to use the bare minimum etchant to get the job done...good concept.

SAGUTRIC (author) in reply to frollardOct 13, 2007. 6:08 AM

Correct. I would like to stress that the amount of chemical and water used is minimum. Thanks.

LasVegas says: Oct 12, 2007. 8:31 PM

I agree with guyfrom7up... A real Instructable shows you how to do something. It's purpose isn't to show off what you did, but to show others how to repeat what you did. Add to this the step-by-step of building the rocker device and modifying the detergent bottle to act as an enchant container. Then you'd have an Instructable... Until then all this is is a "Look! See what I done!" At best it should be in the forum.

SAGUTRIC (author) in reply to LasVegasOct 13, 2007. 6:00 AM

Hi. Thanks for the comment. This is my first time to post the project here. So, hope you don't mind. I've added some explanation for you guys to read on. Just to tell you guys that i am not a good essey writer, hope you guys can bear with me for time being. I will try my best to clear your doubt. Thanks.

dizzytired says: Oct 12, 2007. 12:19 PM

Well, I thought about it, and this project does have merits in that you are using a quite minimal amount of liquid (just noticed it now). It's a good first instructable though, I'd suggest adding the step of putting plastic over the hole cut into the detergent container. Also, maybe you could totally expand this project to use the old motor to squeeze a spray bottle head attached to the head of the bottle, maybe so on the first tilt, it refills a small resevoir, and the second tilt, it sprays the chemical directly over the pcb. Any thoughts on that?