Ape khabar,
Hope everyone is doing just fine. First of all, Happy Chinese New Year to everyone. May this year of dragon brings more prosperity and happiness to everyone.
This week I am going to discuss on how I designed my PCB for the PIC mainboard. Furthermore, I will also explain on the procedure on how to do the etching process for the PCB board. Hope you enjoy it.....!! :)
Part 1: PCB Design
Okay, so let me begin, Hmmmm.....I did some PCB designing using the PCB express software where I have downloaded it from the internet for free...hehe. There are many other similar software where you can use to design your PCB layout such as the FreePCB, Eagle, PCBArtist, WinQCad, DipTrace, Altium and etc. I am more familiar with the ExpressPCB because I used it before when I designed my PCB board for my Diploma projects. Therefore, for this Degree project, I will also use the same software as I am already familiar with it.
What is ExpressPCB
Step 1: Draw Schematics using ExpressSCH
Begin your project by drawing a schematic. While
not required, it will save you time when designing your PCB. Drawing a schematic with the ExpressSCH program is as easy as placing the components on the page and wiring the pins together. The schematic can then be linked to your PCB
file, so that the PCB knows what needs to be connected together.
Figure 1: ExpressSCH screenshot
Step 2: Design PCB using ExpressPCB
Designing 2 or 4 layer boards using the ExpressPCB
program is very simple. Start by inserting the component footprints,
then drag them into position. Next, connect the pins by drawing the
traces. If you link your schematic file to the PCB, the ExpressPCB program will highlight the pins that should be wired together in blue.
Figure 2: ExpressPCB screenshot
This is just a brief introduction on the ExpressPCB. So here are my designs for the PIC mainboard.......... ('', )v
Figure 3:PIC mainboard schematic diagram
Figure 4: Top view of PIC mainboard PCB layout
Figure 5: Back view of PIC mainboard PCB layout
Figure 6: Print out of PCB layout on PCB-Iron-On paper
Part 2: Etching process
For the etching process, I did it manually. First I print out the mirror image of the PCB layout to the PCB-Iron- on paper. Then, I iron the PCB-Iron-on paper onto the PC Board and next I soak the PCB into the acid to etch out all the unwanted cooper from the PCB. Below are the steps of the etching process, simply follow this 5 easy steps. :)
Figure 8: Soak the PCB into the Ferric Chloride acid for etching purposes
There you have it.....! It is half way done...Now that the PCB is almost done...next I will proceed with the board drilling, component placement and soldering of the components. Yeay..!
Don't forget to catch me next week okay! Gonna miss you guys...
Bubye...
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Quote of the day.....!
The greatest personal
limitation is to be found not in the things you want to do and can't, but in
the things you've never considered doing
- Richard Bandler -
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p/s: Gong Xi Fa Cai Xian Nian
Kuai Le to everyone.
Hope this year will be a blast!!
Regards,
