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Make Your own PCB [ Printed Circuit Board ]
From childhood itself i was interested in making small hobby electronics circuits .. like musicbell ...transmitter etc.I always used a common PCB [ with full of holes] to assemble circuits.And the real mess comes when we have to use thin wires to join components by soldering.
There should be an easy way ... can i make my own PCB ? .... I searched the web and foud out the secret ... which i am presenting here.
PCB Fabrication ::.. Things needed ..::
1. All Copper PCB .... Rs.20
2. FeCl3 [ For etching our PCB -- easily available in chemical shop -- in crystaline form] ... Rs.95
3. Permanent Marker Pen [Don't use OHP pens .. they don't give good quality PCB] ... Rs.20
4. PCB Drill [ Hand Drill ] ... Rs.60
5. 0.8 mm drill bit ... Rs.10
6. 1.0mm drill bit ... Rs.10
7. Sand Paper for cleaning copper surface
8. Plastic Tray
Step 1 :
Cut all copper PCB to correct dimension.You can easily break it by drawing a deep line with a sharp knife on both side [same position ]and then keep it on a wall and apply sudden force on the other side.It will break at the line.
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Now use sand paper and clean the copper surface of all copper board.So that shiny surface will show up.This will make etching more easier. Now place the print out of PCB we have designed using Protel [EDA Software] ... [Explained in Next section] and mark holes.
Step 3:
Now draw the tracks using Marker Pen.Let it dry and once again draw over it so that we get thick layer.The idea behind is that Marker Pen ink act as a water repelent when we put it in FeCl3 solution.And all unprotected copper will be removed by our FeCl3 solution.
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Now take a plastic tray and pore some water and put FeCl3 according to your requirement.2 Spoon is enough for a small PCB.Drill a small hole at the end of PCB and tie a string to it.So that we can dip it easily.Now dip the PCB in FeCl3 Solution.
Warning ::Avoid direct contact with FeCl3 .. it is corrosive ... so use only plastic items and it is poisonous .. so don't use tray for other use and keep it away from pets and childrens.And never mix water to Fecl3 jar.Protect your eyes from FeCl3.
Step 5:
Now wait and watch ... you can see unprotected copper melting away ... as soon as all bare copper is etched away remove it and dip it in a tumbler with cold water.Now you PCB is ready .. clean it in water and clean the Marker Ink using any Tape Head Cleaning liquid or some Nail polish remover.Now all left is to drill holes.Use hand drill .. 2 - 3 push and pull .. a hole is formed.
Next Section ::.. PCB Designing