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Why We Should Learn To Create Our Own PCBs At Home
Creating the boards at home is economical as it reduces the cost and the number of loose wires in your devices. If properly designed, it reduces the size of the devices and may help make your connections secure.
Typically, a printed circuit board supports and connects components using pads and tracks. It has predesigned copper tracks that connect different parts of the board and thus eliminate the use of wires. It reduces faults associated with loose connections.
Steps to Creating PCBs At Home.
Pcb creation will help you save time and money. The trouble is that most of us may not know how to do this. Here are steps to guide you when you choose to create your PCB at home.
PCB Creation Design
It is the first step towards PCB Creation. It entails converting the schematic diagram into a PCB layout. Software may be used for this purpose. Among the software that you can use include PCB wizard and Cadsoft Eagle.
Designing Schematic in Cadsoft Eagle
Materials
It would help with an etching solution, a blade cutter, glossy paper, cotton wool, sandpaper, and a black marker.
Procedure
- Use a laser printer to print out your PCB layout.
2. Select an appropriate PCB design software and make the printout on a piece of paper.
3. Using the blade, cut out the copper board to size using a hacksaw.
4. Use steel wool to rub the copper side of the board to remove the copper oxide layer. It allows the paper image to stick.
5. Transfer the PCB print onto the plate by placing the photo paper on the board and putting the copper surface on the printed layout. Check and ensure that the board is well aligned with the printed form. You may use tape to secure the printed paper in position.
6. The printed side of the paper should then be placed on a board to allow you to trace the circuit using a black marker.
You may use a copper iron to do this job. Ensure that it is heated to maximum temperature before transferring the image onto the plate.
7. Iron the printed circuit onto the PCB plate by ironing the image on one of the sides. As you do this, you need to pay attention to the edges and ensure that they are well-aligned before transferring the image onto the plate.
8. When transferring the image onto the plate, it is recommended that you use a long hard press and desist from moving the iron as it is done when ironing clothes. A hard press will transfer the ink from the paper to your copper plate. Finally, place the printed container in water and wait for it to dissolve before peeling it out gently.
