11/11/10 1

The PCB Making. DIYThe PCB Making. DIY

11/11/10 2

DIY PCB Making Process

1. Design Artwork: Use software tool like protel, arcad.

2. Print the artwork on transparency, so as to make artwork film.

3. Use photo resist coated PCB. Place the film on top of the PCB. Expose under the Florescent lamp about 10 min.

4. Dip the PCB in the developer liquid, so as to remove the exposed part of the photo resist. Rinse in the clean water.

5. Etch the pcb in the FeCl3 solution until the copper is removed.

6. Drill the holes. Drill bit size 0.8mm and 1mm is commonly used.

7. Use acetone to remove the remaining photo resist on PCB. The PCB is ready for soldering the components.

11/11/10 3

DIY

design

TOOLS

MATERIALS

print

artwork

photo

exposure

remove

photo

resist

etching

copperdrilling cleaning

FeCl3

11/11/10 4

1-2. From artwork design to print out

● Use Computer to draw schematic/artwork, then laser print the artwork on transparency. You may need to touch up the transparency.

Draw schematic diagram

Design artwork

11/11/10 5

3 Photo exposure● Place the film on the photo resist PCB. Printed side face

the PCB. Sandwich the PCB firmly between two transparent acrylic boards. Then expose under the florescent lamp.

film

Printed artwork on this side

Protective sheet

Photo resist coating

Board

Copper plate

1 the pcb material

Acrylic board

Acrylic board

Soft 1mm transparent plastic sheet

2

Acrylic board

Acrylic board

Florescent light

Cut the PCB to required size.File away burr Peel off

protective sheet before placing the film

Cutting PCB usually with pen knife. Edge burr is inevitable. File away burr is necessary.

11/11/10 6

4.5. Remove Photoresist, etch

● PCB making process

PCB with protective sheet

Peel off protective sheet.

After exposure

After dip in developer, it is to remove photo resist that exposed to light.

Expose under the light.

After etching.Drill holes if required.

After removing all photo resist with acetone.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7