How to Build Circuit Board
Circuit boards were invented in the mid-1930s and are used for radios, mobile phones, radars and computer systems. They are also known as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and are usually made with copper. These are created by laying down individual lines mechanically or by coating the entire board in copper and stripping the way the excess. Here we'll be doing the latter method.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- CAD or similar drawing program
- Transfer film
- Copper board
- Sandpaper
- Hobby iron or Hot roller laminator
- Etching solution
- Glass vessel
- Tongs
- Paint brush
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
Instructions
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Draw the circuit board design on a computer using a CAD program or a drawing program such as Corel Draw. You can design your own use a pre-made layout that you can get from magazines.
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2
Print the image directly onto a transfer film using a laser printer. If you have an ink-jet printer, print the image onto regular paper then photocopy the image onto the transfer film. Print the image on the dull side of the film.
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3
Use the film to mark the dimensions on the copper clad board. Once marked, cut the board to the desired shape using a rotary tool with a cutting wheel. Sand the edges of the copper board with sandpaper. Take care not to sand it too much or you'll end up with a board smaller than the pattern you want to print to it. Next, clean the copper using fine grit sandpaper.
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Heat-press the image from the transfer film onto the copper board using a small hobby iron or a hot roller laminator. You may need to run the board and film through the laminator twice. The copper board should have the reverse image of what was on the transfer film. Remove the film. Using a fine point sharpie, fill-in any areas that did not transfer.
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drill holes into the copper board as indicated on the image using a drill bit. Carefully wipe away any dust caused by the drilling with a small paintbrush. Take are not to wipe away the pattern.
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Place the copper board in glass vessel and pour an etching solution solution over the copper board. Run a small paintbrush around the pattern on the board while tilting the glass vessel back and forth. This will take about 10 minutes. As a rule of thumb, stop 30 seconds after you don't see any copper leftovers over large areas.
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Lift the copper board out carefully using small tongs. Rinse it with plenty of water. Store the etching solution in a plastic container with a hermetic lid. You can reuse the etching solution again. You now have a printed circuit board.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful when using the etching solution. Don't get in eyes, on skin or clothes. Do not breath the fumes. Don't pour it down metal sinks or pipes. Wear safety goggles and gloves.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Alberto Ricci Bitti
