Introduction: Prototyping Tutorial PCB Development
In this tutorial you will learn how to etch a single-sided printed circuit board
Materials:
a single sided PCB, I have used the type FR4
a light box
positive developer
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
hydrochloric acid
tracing paper
safety glasses
gloves
non-metalic reservoir
drills
Step 1: Draw the Circuit
To draw your circuit you can do it in any program you want
Print it out on tracing paper with a laser printer
Be sure you printed mirrored, not like the foto
Step 2: Cutting the PCB
Cut the PCB to your dimensions.
You can cut it with guillotine cutter for paper or steel
Step 3: Illuminate
Pull the tray out and then open it
Remove the blue protective layer of the PCB
Put the print with the printed side against the copper side of the PCB
Put this against the lower glass plate
Closed it
Turn on the machine
Turn the vacuum pump on and let these go up to 0.5 bar
If this is reached, slide the tray back and turn the lights on
Put the timer on 3 min
Step 4: Removing the Light Resistant Layer
To remove the light resistant layer:
Pour the positive developer in a reservoir
If the timer of the lightbox is 0, remove the pcb and put it for 1 min in the developer
Rinse the PCB thoroughly with water, until all the developer is disappeared.
Make sure you put on the gloves because the developer will irritated skin
Step 5: Etching the PCB
Make sure you have the gloves and safety glasses on and make sure the room is ventilated
Pour 50 ml of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a non-metalic reservoir and then do only 100 ml of hydrochloric acid in
Add the developed PCB in the acid bath.
The copper between the circuit must disappear completely. see movie 1 and 2
Move the container gently
This takes about 5 min.
If all the copper is off then rinse with water and dry.
Step 6: Drilling and Soldering
Now you can drill the holes for the components and then soldering
Step 7: Result
Now you see way you have to mirror the circuit that you drawed otherwise you 'll have a mirrored PCB
Like the foto