The Shop > Electronics & IC Programing
How do you do your PCBs?
CrazyModder:
Yeah, looks like you used that tank commercially?
The methods outlined up there are certainly primarily for hobby purposes. If I find a timeslot somewhere between family and work, usually on late Saturday or Sunday, I want to make a smallish PCB right now and not wait for a delivery, no matter how fast or cheap it is. Also, often I notice something wrong with the layout only after the fact, and then it's no biggy to just go ahead and fix it right there and then, and do another run. ;)
Sure, if it's a bigger project with many ICs, vias etc., then a service will probably be the better choice.
grg12:
LEDs emitting UV light with wavelength between 340nm 420nm work great with POSITIV-20 photoresist. I built a small (free version of Eagle sized :) ) lightbox using 168 of them and cheapest picture frame i could find (expensive ones have UV filter to preserve picture colors from fading). Laser-print on tracing paper (transparency foil tends to shrink during printing), then the print goes for a few minutes in jar filled with lacquer thinner vapours (cottonball with a drop of thinner) - this causes laser toner particles to expand a bit - the print has more "opacity" afterwards.
awemawson:
This thread has encouraged me to plan to complete the 'air plumbing' to my CNC mill so not only can I then use my high speed air spindle to route PCBS, but also power the lock on my 4th Axis as well :ddb:
Spindle is a simple jet of air impinging on a gear wheel and it spins at an enormous speed with the lubricated air emerging though the bearings to cool them, as they spin far faster than their upper design speed :clap:
Involves a bit of swinging in the rafters so one for when I'm off light duties :lol:
CrazyModder:
--- Quote from: awemawson on January 21, 2016, 03:13:42 PM ---spin far faster than their upper design speed :clap:
--- End quote ---
That's what we're here for, on MadModder! :drool:
PK:
--- Quote from: CrazyModder on January 21, 2016, 01:54:51 PM ---Yeah, looks like you used that tank commercially?
--- End quote ---
I've mentioned it in other threads, its true we do commercial work. As such some of what I put up may not be relevant to the hobby user. We did however start out as, and continue to be, hobbyists. All those pictures were from my shed at home. At work we still apply the 'DIY or die' approach to building new machines and capability. We're very much of the same mind set.
In any case, feel free to ignore everything I say, just tell my wife you're doing it, she'll appreciate the company..
Specifically here, all of those tanks are appropriate for one off boards at home...
--- Quote ---The methods outlined up there are certainly primarily for hobby purposes. If I find a timeslot somewhere between family and work, usually on late Saturday or Sunday, I want to make a smallish PCB right now and not wait for a delivery, no matter how fast or cheap it is. Also, often I notice something wrong with the layout only after the fact, and then it's no biggy to just go ahead and fix it right there and then, and do another run. ;)
--- End quote ---
Yes, I need it now! comes up every now and then. The problem with the etching is that the photo emulsions and chemicals have a limited shelf life (especially in the heat). If you are doing two boards a year then it can be difficult to get a good result.
When I get the 60KRPM spindle running at home I'm going to have a go at isolation routing.
Mostly though, because SMD is pretty much unavoidable now, the fact that commercial boards come with solder masks makes them pretty much the only choice..
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