The circuit has been designed and ready.The circuit is working great after you did some simulations.Only one thing left!You need to make a printed circuit board to see it in action.If your project is a final piece of electronics in a professional product for your company, implementing your circuit on a PCB will give you an idea of how the finished product will look.
Step 1: You can use a method to create the PCB.
The quality of PCB you want to obtain, the technical difficulty level of the method, and the availability of materials will all affect your choice.Acid etching method requires extreme safety measure, the availability of many materials such as the etchant, and it is somewhat slow, but here's a brief summary of the different methods and their main features that will help you decide.It is a good method for simple to intermediate levels of complexity if you use the right materials.Other methods are used for circuits with more close wiring and tiny wires.The UV etching method requires more expensive materials that might not be available elsewhere.The steps are relatively simple and can produce more complex circuits.The method requires special machines that will mechanically etch away unneeded copper from the board or empty separators between wires.It can be expensive if you want to buy one of those machines and need a workshop nearby.If you need to create many copies of the circuit, this method is good.Large production companies usually use laser etching method, but can be found on some universities.LASER beams are used to etch the board.If your local university is one of the lucky ones that has such machines, you can use their facilities.
Step 2: You can create the PCB layout of your circuit.
You need to use an etchant resistant material for acid etching.If you intend to do the drawing by hand, special markers can be found.Laser printers' ink is the most used material.PCB layout software can be used to convert your circuit's schematic diagram into a layout.There are many open source software packages for PCB layout creation and design, some are listed here to give you a head-start.
Step 3: When you are happy with the schematic on your computer, you should match the size of the diagram on the software so that both the circuit board and the paper have the needed sizes.
Step 4: The diagram can be printed from the software's File menu.
It can be printed out on glossy paper.Before doing that, you should make sure the circuit is mirrored.If you touch the ink part on the paper, it will get on your hands.
Step 5: The diagram should be facing the copper part of the circuit board.
Start using your iron.Wait until the iron warms up on the cotton setting.
Step 6: The iron should be placed on top of the paper on the circuit board.
Step 7: The iron should be placed there for about 30 seconds.
Step 8: Take the circuit board to your nearest source of water after lifting the iron.
The paper will be hot.Don't rip the paper out of the circuit board.
Step 9: The circuit board should be held below the water flow.
The board and paper can be immersed in hot water for a few minutes.
Step 10: All of the paper should come off as soon as possible.
You can try soaking more if certain areas seem hard to peel off.If everything went well, you will have a copper board with your PCB pads and signal lines.
Step 11: The board needs to be dry.
You can get the big droplets of water off by wiping them with a napkin or sponge.The ink on the circuit might come off if it takes more than 30 seconds.
Step 12: The methods below can be used to etch the board.
The process removes unneeded copper from the board.
Step 13: Pick your etching acid.
A common choice for an etchant is ferric chloride.Ammonium Persulfate crystals can be used.If you follow the general safety precautions mentioned in this article, you should also read and follow any additional safety instructions that come with the etchant.
Step 14: The acid etchant needs to be prepared.
Depending on the acid etch you choose, there may be additional instructions.Some acids need to be dissolved in hot water, but other etchants are ready to use.
Step 15: The board should be submerged in acid.
Step 16: It's important to stir every few minutes.
Step 17: When the copper is gone from the board, wash it.
Step 18: The drawing material should be removed.
Almost all types of drawing material can be used with special solvents.If you don't have access to any of these materials, you can always use a sandpaper.
Step 19: To apply with this method, you will need a photosensitive laminated PCB card, a transparent sheet and distilled water.
The cards are covered with a black nylon sheet and can be applied to the copper side of an ordinary blank PCB card.Purchase a photorevelator that is compatible with the photo spray or PCB photosensitive coating.
Step 20: The PCB layout can be drawn on the transparent sheet with a laser printer.
Step 21: Place the printed transparent sheet over the copper side of the board.
Step 22: The board should be placed in the machine.
Step 23: The UV machine needs to be turned on.
The UV will be used to irradiate your board.Most of the UV insulators have a timer.15 to 20 minutes will suffice.
Step 24: Remove the board from the UV insulator.
After cleaning the copper side of the card, gently rinse the PCB card with distilled water and place it in its acid bath.The parts will be etched with acid.
Step 25: Specific steps 3 to 7 of the acid etching method are described.
Step 26: The drill mount points are on the ground.
custom machines designed for this purpose are usually used.A drilling machine will do the job at home with some adjustments.
Step 27: Attach the electronic components to the board.