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Returning to PCB making

Former Member

Hi, I am working on a prototype PCB printer and I would really appreciate your opinion, regardless of whether you are an absolute beginner or a pro. I am a student very interested in Arduino and robotics. For one project where I started to use more components, I really wanted to make a PCB, but the results were ... bad. Probably because I was a beginner hobbyist then. Anyways, I did some research about the topic and I wanted to return to the topic. I just want to know the community's opinion about this topic.

 

What part of PCB making (designing, etching, etc) is the most time consuming and prone to error?

 

How long does it take to design, etch, etc a successful PCB from beginning to end?

 

I have seem some products out in the market for PCB printing and or milling. Some of them include Voltera and Othermill, but most of them are too expensive, but then again i do not have that much money. image

I have seen other tutorials using Ink Jet printers, CNC milling, the common Toner Transfer, some have tried spray paint...I'm leaning towards using a laser and photoresist pcb then etching as normal, or something of that nature, what do you guys think.

 

Thanks.

  • Hi Jesus,

     

    It doesn't take very long provided you can get a transparent sheet printed with the required design. The remainder process isn't hard but unless you do it regularly, you don't have much opportunity to refine your workflow. A few things help, like warm etchant and so on. By practising you'll soon establish how long to expose to light, how long to develop, etc. Record this information to save time for the next occasion.

    Hole drilling isn't fun of course, so avoid if you can.

    As you say, there are routing tools that will cut out a PCB for you. These could be useful, but perhaps for value for money you'll maybe want to be using the machine regularly, either for PCBs or other purposes too.

    If you only occasionally need PCBs, then the other option is to rely on general prototyping (e.g. using stripboard), and get a firm to create your PCB from CAD files. It doesn't cost a lot, but you may have to wait a week or two for delivery (or pay more to get it quicker).

    I'm of the opinion it is better to get it done externally, but others appreciate the rapid turnaround of boards they can create themselves.

    I've done the photoresist thing in the past, and personally do not want to go back to it again. I've not tried the routing method so cannot comment on it.