PCB fabrication (homebrew): Difference between revisions

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This is using a laser printer or copier (not inkjet) to print an image of the PCB tracks on glossy inkjet paper. Laying this printed side onto the de-oxidised and de-greased copper laminate and using an iron at a high temperature, on the rear of the paper to transfer the toner from the paper onto the copper. After soaking in water to remove the paper, the toner now transferred to the copper laminate acts as an etch resist.<ref>[http://fullnet.com/~tomg/gooteepc.htm ''Easy Printed Circuit Board Fabrication, Using Laser Printer Toner Transfer''] by Thomas P. Gootee, 2007</ref>
 
==Cutting and drillingboards==
With SRBP use a craft knife and straight edge. Score it deeply on both sides. Clamp one or both sides between wood to prevent the board being scratched. Then snap it off. A craft knife works especially well for perforated prototyping board. Score down the center of a row of holes, line the score line up with the edge of the table, and press down quickly on the overhanging piece.<ref name="eese">[http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/1151/how-do-you-cut-pcb How do you cut PCB?], Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange</ref>
Hole dimensions, fibre board dust
 
FR4 boards are much harder to cut and very hard on tools.<ref name="diyaudio">[http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/62929-easiest-way-cut-pcbs.html Easiest way to cut PCB's], diyAudio forum, August 2005</ref> A PCB guillotine is the right tool for the job. Failing that use a bench shear or an office guillotine that can cut through more than 2mm of paper. Use a nibbling tool for non-straight cuts.<ref name="hpcb">[http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Homebrew_PCBs/conversations/topics/22519 Cutting PCB], Homebrew Printed Circuit Boards Yahoo! group</ref><ref name="diyaudio"/> If there is going to be any dust a conventional dust mask might be insufficient protection as the dust is extremely fine. Use a vacuum cleaner to catch the dust at source. Safety glasses should always be worn.<ref name="eese"/>
 
Alternately take a straight edge and secure it along the line to cut. Then take a chisel (one set aside for this), and run one of the corners along the straight edge. First pass go lightly to just get a bit of a groove dug in for the tool to follow so it wont jump out on subsequent passes. Next pass or two press hard, and dig in for a deep groove. Score on both sides. Secure the board and snap the piece off. To finish the edge make a pass or two along it with a fine file.<ref>[http://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/cutting-fr4-boards/15/ Cutting FR4 boards], EEVblog forum, August 2012</ref><ref name="diyaudio"/>
 
==drilling==
<!-- Hole dimensions-->
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== References ==
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