How to make PCB circuit plates by hand

First of all, you need to use circuit design software such as Protel to draw the circuit schematic diagram and PCB (component package diagram) on the computer. As shown below:

2.Put the thermal transfer paper into the ordinary printer, adjust the appropriate printing ratio, and print out the black and white PCB drawing. As shown below:

3.Use sandpaper to polish off the oxide layer on the surface of the copper clad laminate to make the copper clad laminate look smooth and shiny. As shown below:

4.The heat transfer paper printed with the PCB diagram in step 2 is fixed on the copper clad laminate polished in step 3, and sent to the heat transfer machine (you can also use a common heating iron to replace the heat transfer machine) for printing, so that the toner containing the PCB diagram is printed on the copper clad laminate by hot pressing, and the heat transfer paper is gradually torn off, as shown below

5.Pour the corrosive liquid into the plastic box, and then put the corrosive liquid into the copper clad laminate printed with PCB pattern in step 4, after a period of corrosion (according to the length of time of different concentrations of corrosive liquid), about half an hour to about an hour, pour out the corrosive liquid, and take out the corroded copper clad lamina.

Use sandpaper to gently polish the toner on the PCB diagram on the copper clad laminate to get a copper circuit trace that is exactly the same as the PCB pattern, as shown below.

6.Put the copper clad laminate obtained in step 5 into the drilling machine and punch holes one by one according to all the hole positions of the PCB diagram, and finally the components can be soldered accordingly, and the whole PCB plate making process is over. As shown below:

Many electronics enthusiasts like to make their own PCB circuit boards, which may be difficult for beginners. In fact, as long as you are careful, this is not difficult. Here is a detailed introduction to my experience in thermal transfer to make PCB circuit boards, I hope to be able to everyone.

Tools Raw materials.

Copper clad laminates. Thermal transfer paper.

Laser printer.

Scissors. File.

Small drill or hand spin.

Plastic box. Ferric chloride.

Method steps.

First of all, print the circuit diagram you want to make on thermal transfer paper, if the circuit diagram is dense or slender, it is best to use a good printer, so as not to print out the circuit diagram defects and cannot be used. If it is a simple circuit, you can directly sketch the circuit diagram with a paint pen, or even carve out the circuit diagram with a knife.

Then, the processing of the copper clad laminate begins. According to the size of the PCB drawing, the copper clad laminate is cut and cleaned, which can be cleaned with soapy water, and can be brushed with steel wool balls if possible, so there is no fear of scratching the copper foil.

Dry the cleaned copper clad laminate and align the PCB with the pattern on the heat transfer paper, then dip it firmly with transparent tape. If it is a double-sided board, then all the mounting holes on both sides must be aligned, otherwise it will be scrapped.

The next is heat transfer, which is generally fine with an iron, and it is better to have a transfer machine or laminator. When using an iron to transfer printing, the temperature should be adjusted a little higher, find a solid base to start ironing, keep moving in the same direction when ironing, and press down hard at the same time, generally a small amount of smoke can come out.

After the transfer is done, uncover the corner of the transfer paper while it is hot to see how the transfer is doing, if it is very complete, tear off the transfer paper directly, if it is not good, cover it and iron it with an iron for a while.

After tearing off the transfer paper, you need to check the circuit of the transfer to see if there is any ** or missing printing or something, if there is, use an oil-based marker to paint it up.

Then there's the chemical corrosion. There are many corrosive agents for corrosive copper clad laminates, but ferric chloride is more environmentally friendly and safe. Pour an appropriate amount of ferric chloride particles into the plastic box and mix with boiling water until the particles are all dissolved, then put the copper clad laminate into the plastic box and shake it constantly.

When all the copper foil has been corroded in the place where there is no toner, you can take out the copper clad laminate, remember to take it out and rinse it with water immediately. After washing and drying, sandpaper is used to sand the toner is removed, and a layer of rosin perfume is applied to prevent the oxidation of the copper foil, and it also has a fluxing effect.

At this point, a PCB board is ready, and you can start soldering components, generally speaking, soldering starts with the short and small components, and finally solders the taller and larger components.

end precautions.

When cutting the plate, the copper foil on the edge of the PCB must be treated, otherwise it will affect the effect of thermal transfer.

Also note that after the copper clad laminate is brushed clean, do not itch to touch the copper foil surface, otherwise it will get the grease on your hands, and the toner will not be easy to stick, which will affect the final quality of the circuit board.

The use of ferric chloride is, can not be used metal utensils.