[Moved]Trying to etch for my 1st time

[Enzy]

I got the schematic of an amplifier online and it had a pcb image also, so I bought some etching paper and I printed the design on the shine side of the paper, I am going to buy a board to etch the design on later, the method I plan to use is to tape the paper to the board and use an iron to warm the paper for a while then tear it off after its cooled, what I wanted to know is what kind of solvent I can use to do the etching, I have seen videos where people use hydrogen peroxide but my Girl Friend has a hair product named volume 40 I was wondering if I could use it to etch the board, does any of you guys know about it, I also see peroxide in the ingredients for it.

Can anyone of you guys design a pcb board for me also, I Was using a software called circuit wizard but it seems I dont understand what is needed to make a proper pcb, I was trying Proteus it seems like a good software but after drawing a circuit I still dont know how to form a pcb properly, because a manufacturer will need a gerber file and I dont know how to create it and I cant find any videos in English on Proteus

 

[123jack]

Re: Trying to etch for my 1st time

**broken link removed**

click "download"

 

[Enzy]

Re: Trying to etch for my 1st time

Thanks, Would I need to use Eagle software to edit or modify the drawings or could I use proteus, Also I needed help to make a specific pcb, I can do my drawings of schematics but need help to properly make a pcb or dont know if I could just do the drawing and upload it and someone could help out with the pcb

 

[c_mitra]

Re: Trying to etch for my 1st time

You try to learn the basics yourself and once you know and understand the basic ideas, you can always ask a commercial agent to make the PCB for you. It is a nice experience to try and make a PCB yourself and a modern complex PCB can be both difficult and messy.

First few steps:

Make your PCB layout design. There are many software for this and you select one that you are most comfortable with. I use PCB from geda.

You need to transfer this to a copper clad board. The standard way is to use a film photoresist but you can get away with toner transfer. Both works but some skill is needed.

If you are using to photoresist route, you need to develop the stuff. This removes photoresist from the areas it is not supposed to be.

Next you bake (heat in a oven) for 10min at 200C - the idea is to fully harden the stuff that is still left.

Now you put it FeCl3 or persulphate or CuCl2 or some "etchant"- it will dissolve away the exposed copper

Now you remove the protection film (toner or photoresist) using some chemical. Drill holes and put your components and solder.

A double sided board and PTH will add more complexity than I can do at home. But they are a pleasure to work with once done

 

[Enzy]

Re: Trying to etch for my 1st time

Thanks I tried a design I saw online I got some etching paper, the design came off on the board but it seemed it didn't come off good I could not feel it protruding off the board at all and if I rub it the dark areas would come off slightly. I used the Iron to transfer the tone but probably I didn't press hard enough or I just didn't do it long enough, I have no idea how long I should do it for, I tried using a solution that women use in their hair called volume 40 but it didn't seem to burn the copper away I had the board in it for 1 hour and nothing happened.I don't have Acetone I was thinking I could use thinner to clean and then use fine grade sand paper.

 

[FvM]

Hydrogen peroxide is used as activator for hydrochloric acid, but hardly works alone as a copper etchant. See some previous threads about the topic:

https://www.edaboard.com/threads/314671/
https://www.edaboard.com/threads/317322/

 

[c_mitra]

You need to try and practice 2-3 times before you get the hang of it! This is simple and is known to work.

You need to heat the board after the pattern has been fully transferred. The toner particles are carbon particles coated with a fusible plastic (it melts on heating). It will easily dissolve in acetone (nail polish remover or thinner) and you can use scotch brite (the green tough pad used for cleaning pots and pans) and soap to clean the board. Copper can be dissolved in FeCl3, CuCl2, and several other formulations (you can find all of them in the internet). It will not dissolve in acetone or other organic solvents.

You need to visually ensure that the pattern after transfer to the board is uniformly dark and continuous. Some repair can be done using nail-polish.