AVR-Chat

Henry Carl Ott wrote:
> Artwork for a simple bootice PCB on my projects page.
> http://users.rcn.com/carlott/projects.html
>   

   Great page!   Thanks!   A tip for those interested in the toner 
transfer PCB technique:

Apparently, it is not necessary to pay for expensive made to purpose 
"toner transfer papers."  This is alluded to in Henry's article, wherein 
he notes that Epson Photo Paper also works. I am told, and have seen 
truly impressive results from people using this technique, that simply 
using glossy magazine paper works very well.  It is, of course, somewhat 
more difficult to inspect your printed pattern for pinholes and voids as 
a result of the existing print, but it is free. (use of a magnifying 
glass for inspection has been advised by several practitioners)  I have 
seen any number of PCBs using fine pitched SMD devices fabricated using 
this techniquem and the boards look VERY good.  Clean, crisp pattern 
edges, no blurring, no patteern tearing.

I have not, as yet, used this technique, though I am planning to next 
week.  I have used Eagle (www.cadsoft.com) Schematic Capture and PCB 
Layout [check out their free demo versoin, for up to 3" X 4" (79.2mm X 
101.6mm) single sided PCB work] software to lay out several TQFP to DIL 
adapter boards,so I can mount SMD AVRs to my solderless breadboarding 
station.,  I'll let you know how it goes, and perhaps post some pictures.

tom
Happy PCB etching!