[wellylug] PCB Making

[V K]

On Sun 09 Jun 2002 21:52:15 NZST +1200, Jamie Dobbs wrote:

> Its off topic, I know - but does anyone have access to PCB making
> facilities? I have hardcopy (paper and PDF file) of a PCB that I need to
> produce 2 copies of but I do not have access to PCB making facilities (or
> even the skill to do it!).

The skill isn't that high, you need a UV lamp for exposure and a flat
bowl for develepment and etching, plus some chemicals. You buy the PCBs
with the photo-layer on and covered with a black sheet (don't even
bother trying to spray the photo-laquer on yourself). Single-sided ones
are easy if the tracks aren't too fine. If the tracks are fine, you
might find yourself taking a long time finding those last 2 unconnected
tracks.

If it's double-sided things are tricky. You won't be able to get it
plated through the holes, which means you need to use machine-turned
sockets and solder them on both sides (these sockets have edges off the
ground, so the pin is accessible on the component side for soldering).
If there isn't enough space next to the sockets for soldering you're
out of luck.

For a single item, it's fastest to use PCBs with pre-drilled holes and
a ring(!!!!!) pattern. Do not use the more common line-pattern ones,
they're simply a complete waste of time. For wiring use laquered
copper, but to be efficient the laquer needs to burn off when tinning
the end with the iron. Because these wires are inflexible you can't use
this if you need to bend or move wires often. To be safer, use PVC
coated stranded wire in various colours, 10(!!) strands of 0.01mm^2 dia
for the signal lines, 18 strands 0.01mm^2 dia for the power supply
lines. The thinner one is more difficult to get, and try to get it with
a thin PVC insulation (sometimes the PVC outer is ridiculousy thick),
as otherwise you won't have enough space to put all the cables. In
either case, solder the power supplies first.

And of course all this is very Linux related - or what else would you
want to use to support your new self-soldered hardware?? :)

Volker

-- 
Volker Kuhlmann			is possibly list0570 with the domain in header
http://volker.orcon.net.nz/		Please do not CC list postings to me.


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