Introduction: Maker Studio | Iron Man Based on Flexible PCB
We are members of the Maker Studio at Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, dedicated to a diverse range of cutting-edge research and development. Our areas of expertise span medical devices, soft robotics, five-axis CNC machine tool equipment, 3D printing technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, big data analysis, the Internet of Things, and new energy sources.
As avid fans of Marvel superheroes, we have long harbored a creative dream—to create a project themed around Iron Man. After careful consideration, we decided in March of this year to turn this dream into reality by developing a luminous Iron Man core device. Throughout the innovative design process, we proposed a variety of fresh ideas and ultimately chose to use flexible PCB boards for our design. This material selection not only reduces the weight of the device but also makes it thinner, perfectly reflecting our pursuit of innovation and practicality.
Step 1: We Use Fusion Electronic to Draw the PCB Board
Fusion Electronic software is very user-friendly, especially the feature that allows the three-dimensional dimensions of the PCB to be directly aligned with the actual object, which is very convenient. We use it to draw the schematic diagrams and complete the PCB routing. Then we export the routing diagram as a PDF and print it on thermal transfer paper.
Cut out the circuit part from the heat transfer paper, use polyimide tape (orange) to adhere the inked area of the circuit to the copper foil, and then place it on the hot plate (with the copper foil on the bottom and the circuit lines of the heat transfer paper facing the copper foil). At a temperature of 200°C, roll over the tape several times to ensure that the ink is fully transferred onto the copper foil (as shown in the figure).
Remove the polyimide tape to reveal the copper foil, and check if the circuit has been fully transferred (look for any broken lines, shallow ink, or overly fine ink traces). If the transfer is insufficient, use an oil-based marker to repair it, ensuring the circuit is functional.
First, prepare the etching solution by mixing 60ml of water with 15g of etching powder and stirring until dissolved. Then, immerse the circuit in the etching solution and place it on a hot plate to use the residual heat for heating during the etching process. Finally, after etching is complete, remove the circuit and rinse it several times in clean water to remove any etching solution residue from the flexible board. Use a cotton swab dipped in carbon powder cleaner to apply it to the blackened circuit areas, repeating the process several times to clean the circuit. With this, the fabrication of the flexible PCB board is complete.