You will need:
Express PCB (Free)
or AutoCAD] 2002 or later
any type of Computer Printer
Access to
Toner Copier or printer
High Gloss Paper or special PCB Transfer Paper
A PCB ironing station or a cloths iron
Copper clad board
Ferric Chloride concentrate 80% by volume or greater (most is)
steel wool
An industrial grade Sharpie or super permanent marker
isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
rubber gloves
safety glasses
funnel
baking soda
a plastic-rubber tub
Optional Things (but help the process)
fish tank air pump
air pump hose
sponge
plexi-glass vertical board stand
5 liter (2 gallon) container (storage of waste acid)
Overview:
Section 1 ~
- You will pick a schematic and sketch it on the computer aided design (CAD) software
- When the design is final and you're ready to continue you're going to print
- Check for errors and copy the print to your transfer paper
- Ready to transfer to the Copper board!
Section 2 ~
- clean! clean! clean! the board! Leave no finger prints!
- You will use the heat transfer method to get the tone from the paper to the copper board
- When transfer is complete mark all incomplete or insufficient areas with permanent marker
- warm the acid in water, shake well, prep work area for etching process.
Section 3 ~
- place board on optional board stand and dip entire setup into the acid bath
- turn on bubbles and keep track of time; occasionally checking consistency
- when desired etching is reached remove PCB from acid and wash with cold water
- clean with baking soda and rubbing alcohol; let dry then drill holes for your parts.
- Clean work area up, properly dispose/recycle used PCB enchant acid leave no mess behind.
You're done.
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