Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU cc: (bcc: Colin Constant-NR/RMD/Raytheon/CA) I'll try transparencies and invest in some UV lamps, etc. You might not need UV lamps. The brand of boards I use (MG Chemicals) used to be UV sensitive and I used a halogen desk lamp. They've changed to fluorescent sensitive so now I have a fluorescent desk lamp. Questions: - With the dry-transfer system, I'll be printing on the glossy side, right? If so, that means I need to mirror my image then, right? No. You draw the pattern looking at the top of the board (actually, through the top of the board) and when you print, you place the ink side against the bottom of the board; so it's right way up. Same for photo method. - What's a good source for the small (1/32") drill bits. I get mine at Home Hardware here. They have them in HSS and carbide. - What about cutting boards? I just use a hacksaw, but it takes some work to get it straight. Anything better/easier? I've used a hacksaw and miter box, and the paper cutter. Paper cutter wins. I'm about to experiment with a Dremel and cutoff wheel. They make standard, fibreglass re-enforced, carbide, and diamond. Thanks much everyone! -Neil. Colin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pic Dude" To: Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 11:47 AM Subject: [EE]: Making PCBs... Couldn't find a good answer to this in the archives or web, so... Trying to figure out how to make professional-quality PCB's at home. These will be one-offs, so I'm avoiding the option of using a PCB service. But I would like them to look professional. The Ferric Chloride etch method is great, and I have all the stuff for that, but I always have 2 problems: drilling holes neatly, and laying out the pattern onto the board. For the holes, I've circumvented the problem by surface-mounting my components. It takes up a little more space, but I can mount one circuit on top, and another on the back of the PCB, so I can actually save space. For more complex circuits requiring a dual-sided PCB, this is not so great though. Here's an example... http://www.avn-tech.com/stuff/speedo_conv_pcb.jpg The real problem is laying out the pattern on the board. I can draw some nice board layouts using a CAD program etc, but I've been using rub-on transfers to create the circuit, and it never looks professional. Been looking at the photo-sensitive board process, but that probably means I need a laser printer. Most photo-copier places won't let me put any special paper in their machines. However, I've heard/read that with the photo-sensitive process, once I get a transparency with the circuit on it, I can lay the pattern out under the sun, and don't even need a UV lamp. (Lots of sun here in Texas!) I've seen the iron-on transfer system, but from the instructions, they seem like they would be a major hassle to get perfect. Any thoughts, or options I may be missing here? My priorities are low equipment/materials cost. Labor is not a problem ... see, getting laid-off is not all bad. :-) Cheers. -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body