making pcb's - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

Thunderchild · 18th January 2008, 03:13 PM

where can I get pcbs made ?
is it worth getting my own equipment ?

chemelec · 18th January 2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderchild

where can I get pcbs made ?
is it worth getting my own equipment ?

Many different places.

That depends on you needs.

Do you need many different ones?
How often?
How complex of boards?
Can you generate the actual artwork to do your own?

Only you can really answer your question.

Thunderchild · 18th January 2008, 03:27 PM

1. yes a pcb per project basically
2. don't know
3. normal stuff pic projects, and general analog stuff mostly single layer
4. I think so I presume there are programmes ? one of the cinese pcb companies had a program to download perhaps I could print off from that ?

chemelec · 18th January 2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderchild

1. yes a pcb per project basically
2. don't know
3. normal stuff pic projects, and general analog stuff mostly single layer
4. I think so I presume there are programmes ? one of the cinese pcb companies had a program to download perhaps I could print off from that ?

3) Pic projects can sometimes result in pretty small traces. Can be a problem.

4) Most of this Software is Only good top the company that supplies it.

But home made is probably a lot cheaper for you. If you can do it.

I make all my own boards.

Thunderchild · 18th January 2008, 04:05 PM

ok so what equipment do I need to make my own ? how much might it cost me ?

HarveyH42 · 18th January 2008, 05:01 PM

There are quite a few threads on making your own PCBs with links photos and more, if you don't mind using the search function. If you already have a laser printer, I'd suggest the 'Toner-Transfer' method. I've been making my own boards this way for the past couple of years with good results.

Thunderchild · 18th January 2008, 05:13 PM

hm I have inkjet

mvs sarma · 18th January 2008, 05:30 PM

you may perhaps getit printed else where on a laser printer andremaining process you can do at your pemises.one or two boards and project and lab works, it is better done by you. and if a design goes for bulk production, you may order out. Chemelec has rightly suggested. and HarveyH42 has told the TTS methods.

picasm · 18th January 2008, 05:44 PM

If you don't have a laser printer, you can use a photocopier instead.

Samsung do cheap laser printers if you need one, but check that toner refill kits can be obtained as a proper replacement toner cartridge can be more expensive than the printer!

The current Samsung model is the Ml-2010 and costs about £43. A toner refill costs about £7 off ebay.

**3v0** · 18th January 2008, 06:15 PM

It is worth having a laser printer.

First check around for a HP Laserjet IV. Often then can be found for free if you know where to look. They are excellent printers. You can get the commonly needed repair parts.

So far I have done all my boards. If you want fine traces then the special transfer paper is the way to go. Search threads for Pulsar or PulsarPro. In the UK Press&Peel blue may be easier to find. I have no experience with it.

mvs sarma · 18th January 2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderchild

hm I have inkjet

Perhaps , inkjet (color may be) is more of your daily need bing a photography expert. I saw some of your phtographs at the site. Really NICE

So may be few prints of PCB lay out be done on inkjet and then xeroed with dar print on the Glossy paper, and it might serve your needs.

Thunderchild · 18th January 2008, 06:53 PM

well suppose I can get a laser they are not that expensive. so what else do I need ? what is pulsar ? I'll make a search

mvs sarma · 18th January 2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderchild

well suppose I can get a laser they are not that expensive. so what else do I need ? what is pulsar ? I'll make a search

Please see this site
http://www.ronlin.co.uk/

**3v0** · 18th January 2008, 07:55 PM

PiulsarProFx.com sells the starch based transfer paper. As I understand it there is no one in the UK distributing it at a reasonable price if at all. That may have changed shince I last checked.

Visit the pulsarProFx website for details on the process even if you do not use their paper.

I like to use a liminator rather then a clothes iron. They make the process easy. Pulsar has a hint of faking it if you do not want to buy a laminator.

Tarsil · 18th January 2008, 09:49 PM

I tend to like photoresist method. U can make fine PCB's at a low cost.
For the exposure u can use a "black light" tube (the blue-ish ones used in disco)...pref a cheap one (emits more UV).
U can use a Inkjet printer (just buy some inkjet film). About the special board u can buy them or make them with a photoresist spray.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Latest
making my own pcb's	jrz126	General Electronics Chat	10	4th October 2004 09:26 PM
Problem with making PCBs at home?	Fu manchu	Electronic Projects Design/Ideas/Reviews	14	21st May 2004 01:28 PM
Tutorial: Making PCBs	Devil_H@ck	General Electronics Chat	8	13th May 2004 03:57 PM
For those of us making UV PCB's	Crofty	Electronic Projects Design/Ideas/Reviews	0	5th May 2004 10:32 AM
Making PCB's /w Transparencies - help!	Richie086	Electronic Projects Design/Ideas/Reviews	1	12th June 2003 02:27 PM

18th January 2008, 03:13 PM	(permalink)
Thunderchild	making pcb's where can I get pcbs made ? is it worth getting my own equipment ? __________________ I AM the exeption that disproves the rule in many ways but the rules still apply (unfortunately) my site:www.simons-photography.com http://rushdenrotaract.org.uk see also http://www.bigstockphoto.com/account...fid=m2URATYch5 http://www.redbubble.com/people/simonsphotography

18th January 2008, 03:27 PM	(permalink)
Thunderchild	1. yes a pcb per project basically 2. don't know 3. normal stuff pic projects, and general analog stuff mostly single layer 4. I think so I presume there are programmes ? one of the cinese pcb companies had a program to download perhaps I could print off from that ? __________________ I AM the exeption that disproves the rule in many ways but the rules still apply (unfortunately) my site:www.simons-photography.com http://rushdenrotaract.org.uk see also http://www.bigstockphoto.com/account...fid=m2URATYch5 http://www.redbubble.com/people/simonsphotography

18th January 2008, 04:05 PM	(permalink)
Thunderchild	ok so what equipment do I need to make my own ? how much might it cost me ? __________________ I AM the exeption that disproves the rule in many ways but the rules still apply (unfortunately) my site:www.simons-photography.com http://rushdenrotaract.org.uk see also http://www.bigstockphoto.com/account...fid=m2URATYch5 http://www.redbubble.com/people/simonsphotography

18th January 2008, 05:01 PM	(permalink)
HarveyH42	There are quite a few threads on making your own PCBs with links photos and more, if you don't mind using the search function. If you already have a laser printer, I'd suggest the 'Toner-Transfer' method. I've been making my own boards this way for the past couple of years with good results.

18th January 2008, 05:13 PM	(permalink)
Thunderchild	hm I have inkjet __________________ I AM the exeption that disproves the rule in many ways but the rules still apply (unfortunately) my site:www.simons-photography.com http://rushdenrotaract.org.uk see also http://www.bigstockphoto.com/account...fid=m2URATYch5 http://www.redbubble.com/people/simonsphotography

18th January 2008, 05:30 PM	(permalink)
mvs sarma	you may perhaps getit printed else where on a laser printer andremaining process you can do at your pemises.one or two boards and project and lab works, it is better done by you. and if a design goes for bulk production, you may order out. Chemelec has rightly suggested. and HarveyH42 has told the TTS methods. __________________ Regards, Sarma.

18th January 2008, 05:44 PM	(permalink)
picasm	If you don't have a laser printer, you can use a photocopier instead. Samsung do cheap laser printers if you need one, but check that toner refill kits can be obtained as a proper replacement toner cartridge can be more expensive than the printer! The current Samsung model is the Ml-2010 and costs about £43. A toner refill costs about £7 off ebay.

18th January 2008, 06:15 PM	(permalink)
3v0	It is worth having a laser printer. First check around for a HP Laserjet IV. Often then can be found for free if you know where to look. They are excellent printers. You can get the commonly needed repair parts. So far I have done all my boards. If you want fine traces then the special transfer paper is the way to go. Search threads for Pulsar or PulsarPro. In the UK Press&Peel blue may be easier to find. I have no experience with it.

18th January 2008, 06:53 PM	(permalink)
Thunderchild	well suppose I can get a laser they are not that expensive. so what else do I need ? what is pulsar ? I'll make a search __________________ I AM the exeption that disproves the rule in many ways but the rules still apply (unfortunately) my site:www.simons-photography.com http://rushdenrotaract.org.uk see also http://www.bigstockphoto.com/account...fid=m2URATYch5 http://www.redbubble.com/people/simonsphotography

18th January 2008, 07:55 PM	(permalink)
3v0	PiulsarProFx.com sells the starch based transfer paper. As I understand it there is no one in the UK distributing it at a reasonable price if at all. That may have changed shince I last checked. Visit the pulsarProFx website for details on the process even if you do not use their paper. I like to use a liminator rather then a clothes iron. They make the process easy. Pulsar has a hint of faking it if you do not want to buy a laminator.

18th January 2008, 09:49 PM	(permalink)
Tarsil	I tend to like photoresist method. U can make fine PCB's at a low cost. For the exposure u can use a "black light" tube (the blue-ish ones used in disco)...pref a cheap one (emits more UV). U can use a Inkjet printer (just buy some inkjet film). About the special board u can buy them or make them with a photoresist spray. __________________ If is too complicated.....most of the times is the wrong way.