Editing PCB Etching Tutorial


== '''DIY PCB Etching : Using Chemicals''' ==

This tutorial will show you how to make a simple single sided PCB using a chemical method.
In summary the traces will be transferred and covered in a solid copper board , then the parts of copper not needed will stay exposed.
Finally the parts not needed will be removed with chemicals. 



[[File:PcbDone.jpg]]

== '''Materials Needed''' ==


* Single sided copper clad board -- [[ https://www.google.com/search?q=copper+clad+fr4&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8]]
* Circuit board trace layout in a printable format (pdf or postscript ps works, design this with an [[EDA | EDA program]])
* Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper (to print the traces on)
* Iron or press
* Etchant chemical
*# Ferric Chloride Solution (to dissolve the copper from the board)
*# Muriatic Acid
* WetorDry paper
* Container to put PCB in with chemical solution


== '''Steps''' ==

''If you are using Ferric Chloride(FeCl3) foretchant, then start heating your etchant to 50C''


'''1) Preparing the Copper Board: Clean It'''

Make sure to clean any junk from the copper board before beginning the process!

* Use WetorDry paper / fine sand paper to clean the PCB under water until it turns pink

[[File:Sandingboard.jpg]]

* Wipe off water with a clean towel
* Use acetone to remove oils from PCB 

[[File:AcetoneClean2.jpg]]





'''2) Printing the Traces:'''

Grab your Laser printer and print the traces onto the glossy inkjet photo paper.
* we used walgreens 8.5x11 stock inkjet photo paper with fine results
* We used the Noisebridge Brother HL-5470DW and generic Laser printer toner with fine results
* Make sure your print driver isn't scaling or distorting the circuit layout
* Use monochrome and highest resolution possible for your printer

The printer operator should also take this opportunity to provide feedback to the circuit designer: 
* Make sure the design traces are thick enough for this process (XXmil/XXmm minimum trace width with 20mil/0.508mm minimum clearance)
* Make sure the export file is mirrored. The Laser Printer toner is going to 'transfer' to the surface of the copper clad and become unmmirrored in the process
     
[[File:Tracesprinted.jpg]]


'''3) Transferring the Traces to the PCB:'''

*Press down the glossy paper with the design onto the copper PCB 

[[File:Tracestransfer.jpg]]

*Use a hot iron to press down glossy paper to the PCB 
[[File:Tracestransfer2.jpg]]

*After the glossy paper stick onto the PCB submerge the two in a tray of water and gently press down the paper so it peels off leaving the trace on the PCB 

[[File:Traceswaterdip.jpg]]

*Once the paper starts to peel off under the water feel free to use your finger to gently peel the paper from the copper board

[[File:Tracespeel.jpg]]

*If after peeling the paper , white paper is still on the board re-dip the board into the water and rub off the remaining paper with your finger

[[File:Tracesrewater.jpg]]

*Dry off any water



'''4) Get Rid of the remaining Copper'''

*Place the board into a tray 

[[File:Chemicalprep.jpg]]

*Place the Ferric Chloride Solution Bottle  inside tray of hot water (this will heat the solution and make the PCB copper to be dissolved faster) 


* Pour some of the solution into a tray along with your PCB 
* Check the PCB every 5 or so minutes to check if the copper has been fully removed



'''5) Finishing Up'''
* Finally wash off the ink and you should be left with only copper lines on top of the traces printed

[[File:PcbDone.jpg]]