Materials:
- Copper clad board
- Laser printer and paper
- Ferric chloride
- Plastic container
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Water
- Sandpaper
- Steel wool
- Drill
Tools:
- Iron
- Ruler
- Scissors
Steps:
- Design your PCB using PCB design software or draw it on paper.
- Print your design using a laser printer on glossy paper. Be sure to print it in reverse so that the toner transfers onto the copper.
- Cut the copper board to the appropriate size using a ruler and scissors.
- Clean the copper board with sandpaper and steel wool to remove any dirt, dust, or oxidation.
- Heat up the iron to a high temperature and place the printed design onto the copper board.
- Apply pressure with the iron onto the paper for a few minutes until the toner melts and transfers onto the copper board.
- Once cooled, gently peel off the paper.
- Place the board into a plastic container filled with ferric chloride solution and let it sit for around 15-20 minutes.
- Shake the container occasionally to ensure the solution reaches all parts of the board.
- After 15-20 minutes, remove the board from the solution and rinse it with water.
- Use a drill to make holes in the board where necessary.
- Your PCB is now ready for use.
Note: Be sure to follow proper safety precautions when handling ferric chloride and wear gloves and safety glasses. Additionally, dispose of the ferric chloride solution properly and do not pour it down the drain.
Free software options for making PCB
- KiCAD – https://kicad.org/
- EasyEDA – https://easyeda.com/
- Fritzing – http://fritzing.org/home/
- DesignSpark PCB – https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/pcb-software
- ExpressPCB – https://www.expresspcb.com/
- FreePCB – https://www.freepcb.com/
- gEDA – http://www.geda-project.org/
- Osmond PCB – https://www.osmondpcb.com/
FAQ
Question: What trace width be achieved at home?
Answer: The achievable trace width at home depends on various factors such as the PCB fabrication process, equipment and materials used, and the skill level of the person performing the etching. Generally, the achievable trace width can range from around 8 mils (0.2 mm) to 20 mils (0.5 mm) with standard home etching methods. However, it is possible to achieve even smaller trace widths with advanced techniques such as photoresist etching, but these methods require more specialized equipment and materials.
Question: Why do you use mil instead of mm?
Answer: Mil is a commonly used unit of measurement in the electronics industry, particularly for specifying trace widths on printed circuit boards. It is equivalent to 1/1000th of an inch, or about 0.0254mm. While millimeters are a more commonly used unit of measurement in many parts of the world, mils are preferred for PCB design because they allow for finer resolution when specifying trace widths and clearances. Additionally, many PCB design tools are optimized for use with mils, making it easier to create and edit PCB designs using this unit of measurement.
Question: What are the common trace width for some common sections of PCB?
Answer: The common trace width for some common sections of PCB is:
- Power traces: 20-30 mils or more, depending on the current carrying capacity required.
- Signal traces 6-10 mils, depending on the frequency of the signal and the required impedance.
- Differential pair traces: 8-12 mils, depending on the required impedance and the tolerances of the PCB manufacturing process.
- Through-hole component pins: 20-30 mils, to ensure sufficient copper coverage around the hole and good solder joint strength.
- SMD component pads: 12-20 mils, depending on the size of the component and the PCB manufacturer’s recommendations.
Question: Can we draw all the trace with a single trace width?
Answer: It’s possible to use a single trace width for all traces on a PCB, but it’s not always the best approach. Some sections of the PCB may require wider traces to handle higher current or to reduce voltage drop. Other sections may require narrower traces to fit in tight spaces or to reduce signal crosstalk. It’s important to consider the specific requirements of each section of the PCB and adjust the trace widths accordingly. However, for a simple circuit, using a single trace width may be sufficient.
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