If you are looking to taking your Arduino or other electronic projects beyond prototyping boards, printed circuit boards (PCB) will get you there, but what do you need to design PCB’s and how can you turn your design into a finished board? -Before you even start with your project, make sure that you have a high-quality soldering iron for more precise results. You can check out the best soldering irons on https://bestofmachinery.com/best-soldering-irons.

What are PCBs?

Electronic circuit boards and circuits in the engineering industry are generally manufactured on Printed Circuit Boards. These circuit boards are made up of selected materials which include fiber, glass etc. These materials are used because these do not conduct electricity. These circuit boards are conduct on copper tracked boards instead of wires because of better conduction capabilities.     

The electronic components are made fixed at certain positions by soldering and making holes into the boards. These are placed properly at the desired position and joined with the previously mentioned copper tracks so that a circuit gets formed. These printed circuit boards are used in everything from coffee makers to automobiles, wireless devices, robotics etc. 

Designing your own PCB

Autodesk’s EAGLE PCB design software is free to download and the book Make Your Own PCB’s with EAGLE: From Schematic Designs to Finished Boards is a fantastic, step-by-step guide that will take you from install to complete boards.

Fabricating PCB’s

Once your design is completed, it’s time to turn it into a PCB. You can either make the board in your own workshop or send it out to fabrication house and have them manufacture your board.

Fabricating your own board at home involves etching using Ferric Chloride, heat transfer paper, a laser printer, copper plate and a small drill for any through-holes or vias. The etching chemical stains anything it touches and requires treatment with sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) before it can be safely disposed of.

Unless you need to produce boards the same day you finish the design, a better solution might be to send your design file(s) to a PCB maker. There are several fabrication houses that can produce your design in 2-3 days for as little as a few dollars.

Duncan Idaho

Duncan is a science and technology reporter for CDN and serves as the lead geek correspondent. Follow him if you like rockets, mobile tech, video games or ... just about anything nerdy.

Share
Published by
Duncan Idaho

Recent Posts

The Supreme Court Disarms The Democrats

The directionless, leaderless Democrat Party has had only one weapon against Donald Trump, which is…

47 minutes ago

Trump Admin Moves To Hit Illegal Immigrants With Instant, Massive Fines

The Trump administration says it’s done warning illegal immigrants who defy deportation orders before issuing…

24 hours ago

Unelected Official Targets Gun Owners, Private Schools In Latest Rejection of Trump Policies

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough continues to rummage through the Senate’s version of President Donald Trump’s…

24 hours ago

Liberal Orgs Seize On Opening Left By Supreme Court’s Nationwide Injunction Ruling

Left-wing advocacy groups wasted no time Friday capitalizing on what some conservatives worry is a…

1 day ago

Trump Locks In China Trade Deal, Keeps Pressure On Beijing

The Trump administration has finalized its trade deal with China, but isn’t lifting countermeasures just…

1 day ago