can anyone tell me where i can learn more about PCB boards?

hello

i randomly found this forum and i think it is fantastic.

so i was wondering if anyone could please point me were i can learn about PCB boards for computers and other electronic devices? i seek to solder my own micro controllers and chips to these boards but im stumped on where i can even buy a blank pcb board where i have complete control on what i can put in it and i eventually would love to design my own.

i know im asking a really newb question but if someone could help me i would be grateful

Hi Jerdo,

To understand the properties of the pcb boards, one of the best places is to search on PCB board producers.
PCBPool has a good products description see pages at http://www.pcb-specification.com/uk
PCB Train has some good articles at http://www.pcbtrain.co.uk/blog/category/printed-circuit-boards/

As for the purchase of blank boards RS Components has a global presence http://www.rs-components.com/index.html
See http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/plain-copper-ink-resist-boards/2192139/ as an example product.

There are many other suppliers, such as Maplin, Farnell, Rapid Electronics and also smaller companies so you should be OK.

Going onto PCB CAD there are may options and choices and many user views on what is 'best'!
In the free CAD options I use DesignSpark PCB which I find great and without limitations on board size or commercial use.
Many hobbiests use Eagle, but its board size wass too limited for me and it does not allow commercial use.
There are many others with various followers and all have their strong and weak points.

If you have not even started on soldering etc., there are lots of ready made boards containing a micro-controller with a prototyping area and a regulator socket and crystal for a fast start.

OR have you looked at the Arduino development platform which is a complete development platform and can have pcbs (shields) added on to configure the hardware.

It really depends what is 'behind' your question as to what route is best for you, but hope that helps with deciding what you want to do?

www.tina.com/distrib/en/tina7doc/TINA_PCB_design_manual.pdf‎

Try this for learning about pcb.. to learn more about the devices, you can go through applied electronics book...

thanks guys. i seriously appreciate the feedback