PCB Etching at Home#
Overview#
In-house PCB etching enabling rapid prototyping for a CanSat project, cutting traditional manufacturer lead times and costs to accelerate design iterations.
Highlights#
- Rapid Prototyping, Manufacturing
- EDA Tools (Altium/KiCad/EAGLE)
- Hazardous Chemical Handling
Details#
Check out the CanSat project that this custom PCB was made for on Github!
1. Design the PCB#
Create the schematic and board layout using EDA software like Altium, KiCad, or EAGLE, ensuring all traces are correctly routed for your circuit.
2. Print Trace Layout#
Print the board layout design onto glossy paper using a laser printer set to its highest quality and maximum toner density for a solid, dark image.
3. Transfer Layout to Copper#
Use a clothing iron to transfer the printed design onto a pre-cleaned copper board, melting the toner onto the copper surface which acts like a negative photoresist.
4. Dissolve Unwanted Copper with Etchant#
Submerge the board in an etchant solution (8% $HCl$ and 12% $H_2 O_2$ in a 9:1 ratio) to dissolve all copper not protected by the negative photoresist.
5. Clean Toner with Acetone#
Thoroughly wash the board with water and use acetone to completely scrub away the toner with a cloth, revealing the clean copper traces beneath.
6. Drill and Sand Holes for Components#
Carefully drill holes for component leads using a small drill or hammer and nail, then lightly sand the holes to remove any burrs for easy soldering.