12-03-2013, 12:26 PM
Hi Dana,
Sorry to hear of your hassles.
Like Joe, I've just printed off the article at the link he set up, and the PCB artwork comes out the correct size.
The image as it appears, including the white border, which allows for holes at each corner to mount the PCB, should be 5.46cms high and 8.92cms wide. (In inches, that's 2.15" high and 3.515" wide). The height and width of the actual PCB tracks on the artwork (not allowing for any border) is 5cm high and 7.5cm wide. If you are using something like Photoshop, if you do need to re-size, just set one dimension it should automatically set the other. The easiest way to check if you have the artwork the right size is to sit a 14-pin IC socket on the artwork and see if the pin spacing on the PCB is the correct size to marry up with the IC socket.
If you intend to use the 'iron on' method to apply the artwork to the PCB rather than UV exposure, (either the laser printer onto glossy magazine paper or glossy photo paper, or the 'press 'n peel method), do remember that you must 'flip' the artwork or your design will iron onto the PCB the wrong way round. The tracks on the finished PCB must look like the artwork.
As to etchants for making PCBs, I've long since abandoned messy ferric chloride in favour of Sodium Persulphate copper etchant. This is an effective alternative to ferric chloride which has a 6 – 8 minute etch time at 45C – 50C. The bath life is about 4 – 6 weeks depending on use and operating temperature. The product is supplied as a fine crystalline white powder and the instructions for use are printed on the bottle label. You mix it with warm water and it's a colourless liquid which in use, turns pale blue as it etches away the copper. You can store it for re-use till it loses its effectiveness.
I don't know how you are fixed Stateside for obtaining such chemicals - maybe you'll have the Dept of Homeland Security knocking on your door searchng for WMD!
In the UK it's easy and cheap to buy on internet:
EG: a 500 gram HDPE bottle, which will make up to 2.5 litres of etching solution costs just £3.50GBP +£2.24GBP P&P
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270746775207&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Best of luck with the project Dana - many have been built over the last three years or so and help is on hand if you need assistence in trouble-shooting.
Sorry to hear of your hassles.
Like Joe, I've just printed off the article at the link he set up, and the PCB artwork comes out the correct size.
The image as it appears, including the white border, which allows for holes at each corner to mount the PCB, should be 5.46cms high and 8.92cms wide. (In inches, that's 2.15" high and 3.515" wide). The height and width of the actual PCB tracks on the artwork (not allowing for any border) is 5cm high and 7.5cm wide. If you are using something like Photoshop, if you do need to re-size, just set one dimension it should automatically set the other. The easiest way to check if you have the artwork the right size is to sit a 14-pin IC socket on the artwork and see if the pin spacing on the PCB is the correct size to marry up with the IC socket.
If you intend to use the 'iron on' method to apply the artwork to the PCB rather than UV exposure, (either the laser printer onto glossy magazine paper or glossy photo paper, or the 'press 'n peel method), do remember that you must 'flip' the artwork or your design will iron onto the PCB the wrong way round. The tracks on the finished PCB must look like the artwork.
As to etchants for making PCBs, I've long since abandoned messy ferric chloride in favour of Sodium Persulphate copper etchant. This is an effective alternative to ferric chloride which has a 6 – 8 minute etch time at 45C – 50C. The bath life is about 4 – 6 weeks depending on use and operating temperature. The product is supplied as a fine crystalline white powder and the instructions for use are printed on the bottle label. You mix it with warm water and it's a colourless liquid which in use, turns pale blue as it etches away the copper. You can store it for re-use till it loses its effectiveness.
I don't know how you are fixed Stateside for obtaining such chemicals - maybe you'll have the Dept of Homeland Security knocking on your door searchng for WMD!
In the UK it's easy and cheap to buy on internet:
EG: a 500 gram HDPE bottle, which will make up to 2.5 litres of etching solution costs just £3.50GBP +£2.24GBP P&P
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270746775207&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Best of luck with the project Dana - many have been built over the last three years or so and help is on hand if you need assistence in trouble-shooting.
Regards, David.
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
