First Time Road Map to Success
Since I don't have someone experienced standing next to me to
show me the techniques, I figure I'd need a road map in order
to get where I'm going. So I made one, using all the informa-
tion I got from this forum and from the worldwide web, concen-
trating on procedures I thought I could follow and materials
I have either obtained or am reasonably confident I can get.
Goal:
My goal is to a make a simple, single-sided, through-hole-com-
ponent board that has copper traces on one side of the board
and components with a white component legend on the other
side--one that works reliably and looks professional.
I"m assuming the Cu (copper) board has been cut to size be-
fore beginnning. I have also prototyped the circuit on a
breadboard to make sure it works, and have laid out its two
layers w/ Eagle CAD.
One layer is the component legend layer, with outlines of
components showing how they are to be connected and text
containing date and name. The other layer is the artwork
for the Cu traces.
I have not yet been down the path to this goal. So I made
a map that consists of a series of steps. A checklist, if
you will.
Plan:
I'm planning to use the Gootee toner-transfer method to do
the Cu artwork on a laser printer
(
http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg/gooteepc.htm).
Etch w/ H2O2 and muriatic acid. Since my HP LaserJet 2200
prints only in
black toner, I plan to have the component legend layer prin-
ted onto the same transfer paper at the local copy store,
using a color laser printer that prints in white.
Feedback:
If you have already been down this path to this
particular goal, as I'm sure many of you have at least once,
please advise me if I have missed a step or gotten steps
out-of-order or something. Any other suggestions? Your
feedback is much appreciated.
Road Map:
1. Print Cu traces onto white paper, using black toner.
2. Make sure all components fit the pads on the traces.
Recreate artwork as necessary.
3. Reverse (L-R) Cu trace artwork image. Print reversed
image onto transfer paper, using black toner.
4. Reverse (L-R) component legend layer image. Have
printer print it onto transfer paper using white toner on
a color laser printer.
5. Press black toner onto Cu board using iron. Let dry.
6. Inspect black toner for breaks; correct as necessary
w/ Sharpie pen.
7. Etch Cu from board.
8. Strip toner from board using acetone & toothbrush.
9. Scrub board. Wash board w/ distilled water. Let dry.
10. Spray Cu trace side of board w/ green spray paint. Let
dry.
11. Drill board. Inspect for damage to traces & correct as needed.
12. Get components.
13. Make sure component leads fit holes. Redrill as needed.
14. Press white toner (from step 4) onto component side of board
using iron. Let dry.
15. Spray clear coat over component legend w/ PCB lacquer or
acrylic spray. Let dry.
16. Populate board w/ components, soldering to trace side. Test
board. Make it work.
17. Trim component leads to solder surface.