Tutoial 4 Making a Pcb Using An Etch Tank

Tutorials
Making a PCB using an etch tank
Copyright © 2002-2004 New Wave Concepts Limited. All rights reserved. www.new-wave-concepts.com
This tutorial shows you how to manufacture a printed circuit board (PCB) using an etch tank. You
should follow this tutorial to learn the basic skills you will need to use PCB Wizard effectively.
Getting started
In this tutorial you will turn anon-screen circuit design into a
finished printed circuit board.
Along the way, you will learn how to:
Print the PCB artwork mask
Etch and clean the PCB
Populate the printed circuit board
Equipment
You will need the following equipment:
Clear laminate
Photo-sensitive copper-clad board
UV light box
Developer solution
typically sodium hydroxide
Etchant crystals or solution
typically ferricchloride
PCB etch tank and developer tank
17/18 watt soldering iron and stand
Lead-free solder (18 swg)
Desoldering pump
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
Long nosed pliers
Difficulty Level: Medium (suitable for moderately experienced users)
Step 1 of 4: Introduction
When using making printed circuit boards,
remember to always use safety equipment to
protect your eyes, skin and clothes.Tutorials
Making a PCB using an etch tank
Copyright © 2002-2004 New Wave Concepts Limited. All rights reserved. www.new-wave-concepts.com
Step 2 of 4: Printing the PCB artwork mask
The first step when producing a printed circuit board using an etch tank is to create an artwork mask
for your circuit. This mask is printed onto a clear laminate sheet and is used to mark the areas that
will eventuallybecome copper on the printed circuit board.
In the window that appears, select the required
options and then click on the OK button. Your
artwork mask will then be printed.
To print the artwork, click on the Artwork
button on the Style toolbar that is shown on the
left-hand side of the main PCB Wizard window.
You will see a preview of the artwork on the
screen. It is worth giving theartwork a final
check at this point.
With Artwork style still selected, click on the
Print button on the top toolbar.
For double-sided boards, you will need to print two artwork masks—one for the
bottom (solder side) copper layer and another for the top (component side)
copper layer. First click on the More button on the left-hand Style toolbar and
select the Solder Side Artwork option. Next,click on the Print button to print
the first mask. once printed, you will need to click on the More button again to
select the Component Side Artwork option. Finally, click on the Print button
to print the second mask.
Tutorials
Making a PCB using an etch tank
Copyright © 2002-2004 New Wave Concepts Limited. All rights reserved. www.new-wave-concepts.com
Step 3 of 4: Etching the printedcircuit board
Take the printed circuit board from the UV light box and
immerse it in the developer tank for aproximately 2 minutes.
If there is a temperature control on the developer tank,
make sure it is set to about 20°C.
This process prepares the printed circuit board for the etch
tank leaving only the tracks, pads and text resistant
coated.
Clean any residue developer away with water anddry the
printed circuit board.
If there is a temperature control on the etch tank, make sure
it is set to about 40°C.
Place the board in the cradle of the etch tank. Immerse in the
etching solution for approximately 5 minutes. During the
etching process, the board should be regularly removed from
the acid tank and visually inspected. Clean the board with
water and check to see if the tracksand pads are fully
outlined.
Repeat this process until the copper-clad board has been
fully etched. Remove the board from the solution, clean with
water and then dry.
With the artwork mask printed, the image of the circuit next needs to be transferred to your printed
circuit board. Printed circuit boards are manufactured using special copper-clad boards that have a
coating which is...