Amazing manual technique of design transfer to CCB

Amazing manual technique of design transfer to CCB

In the previous post we have discussed at length the presentation details of PCB which we have designed making use of a software with the schematic circuit of the proposed electronics project for our building work. In this post we shall deal with how we are going to transform the PCB design to actual copper clad board. The transformation of the design is a part of fabrication technique. Hence let us understand what is fabrication.

Fabrication of PCB

Fabrication is making the PCB ready for hooking up of the relevant circuit elements into the board by soldering technique to fulfill the assembling of the project. As such fabrication of PCB of the circuit design involves 3 steps.

A)   Transformation of the design to the copper clad board (CCB)

B)   Etching the board

C)   Drilling of the appropriate holes.

First we shall get ready the CCB for the transformation method

a)    Getting ready CCB with the ready made design:

Simple yet crucial techniques are involved in the transformation of the ready made circuit design to the CCB. This is the base of the work which requires accuracy and consistency. As such if any mistake is arisen, then that will be reflected on the final PCB. Hence care is utmost important in this first step. Mistakes can be rectified then and there in the first step itself and make the CCB worth for what it is meant for.

There are two methods of transformation of the design to CCB. One is manual and the other is printing.

Manual technique

Manual method is also called hand drawn method. In the manual process one has to trace out the design using sharp pointed ball pen on thin tracing sheet or butter paper with all the details on the drawing. Then using that sheet one has to take the mirror image of the drawing on the exact size of the copper clad board using a carbon paper.  Now the trace of the drawing is obtained and one has to over draw the drawing using nail polish or OHP pen. This gives a permanent drawing over the board and this can be etched.

Advantages

As this is a manual process care should be taken in tracing and copying down the design on the copper clad board. The drawing may be compared with the original one to correct any mistakes that may arise due to overlooking or any other errors that may crept in during the process. For straight lines one can use a ruler. A fine or sharp edged tip based brush is preferable. Ideal is to use OHP pen for thin lines and permanent marker pens for thick or broad lines. A trial and error makes one perfect in this approach. I have come out fairly successful drawing after prolonged practice.  This manual approach is very good and sufficient in the case of simple designs. Of course it is very cost effective and quick to adopt. 

Electronics enthusiasts often get personal satisfaction in making the PCB by themselves by manual method as homemade PCB from the ready made PCB design presented here of their favourite electronics projects of their choice.

In the coming post we shall discus the other method of transformation of the design to CCB which is near professional touch.