Printed circuit board. Part 2

And so, the PCB pattern is ready, tested and now need to move it to the board.

Need to disable all image optimization, toner saving  in a laser printer and then, print sample on an normal sheet.

Next, we need to find a thin, glossy paper. I use paper from the usual magazines.

Cut out sheet by A4 size, insert into the printer and print out.

Next, cut a piece of textolyte (PCB) and clean surface of the copper layer by fine sandpaper.

Surface preparation - one of the most important points in this case. After sandpaper the future board need a good wash, dry and degreased with alcohol. Printing is cut to size, but with indented edges.

Textolite is placed on the fabric and topped with paper (to protect iron) and heated by iron. After warming up, on a clean surface, on top layer placed pattern paper and again warmed up by hot iron. Is needed to equally pressing iron and heating about 3-4 minutes. After that iron can be removed. Board better left covered with paper for a while. It is important not touch anything at least a couple of minutes until the toner does not harden.

After that, a piece of PCB need to put in warm water for 10-15 minutes. Water should not be hot! Otherwise, toner may be softened or even once blurred.

After the paper is soften, it must be very carefully separated from the board. Do it better underwater and from different sides. As a result, the toner remains on the board.

After that, dry the board and checks it with the layout. Some parts could be damaged.

In this case, take a permanent marker and draw in several layers lost areas. For larger areas, you can use nail polish (to remove it later needed solvent).

While the board dries, dilute a solution of ferric chloride (FeCl3) and put it in a warm (not hot) water.

Immerse board to solution

From time to time need to check, shake and make sure that the solution was warm.

Over time, the copper layer begins to dissolve

In the end, when all the excess copper dissolved, take it from solve and wash under water. In my case, this process took about 20 minutes.

Check the results

Dry the board

Now we have to drill all the holes... (200? ohh.. really?) I really hope that later it can be done automatically is on the same machine.

Admiring the result :) Then scraping toner by sandpaper

Trying to insert terminals and connectors

The main task is completed. It remains to put all the elements on the board. Next time I will use photo emulsion technique for transfer pattern to PCB, which will increase the accuracy and integrity of the board.