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PCB making in the UK?

T

Texy

Jan 1, 1970
0
Is there a source of a pcb making 'kit' in the UK?
Or any recommended UK based sites giving info?
Cheers,

Texy
 
G

Gareth

Jan 1, 1970
0
Texy said:
Is there a source of a pcb making 'kit' in the UK?
Or any recommended UK based sites giving info?
Cheers,

Texy
Maplin sell things like that:

www.maplin.co.uk

If the link below doesn't work go to the "Cables and Components" section
then "PCB & Circuit Development" subsection

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search/Resu...evel=1&Menu=17&Name=PCB & Circuit Development

There are companies that will make PCBs for you if you supply the data
in a suitable electronic format, have a look at:

http://www.pcbpool.com/ppuk/info.html

Only 49 Euros for a double sided PCB with plated through holes. I have
used this company and their PCBs are certainly a lot better than you can
make with a Maplin kit.

--
 
I

Ian Bell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Texy said:
Is there a source of a pcb making 'kit' in the UK?
Or any recommended UK based sites giving info?
Cheers,

Texy

Do you want home stuff for a few prototypes or production kit?

For home stuff I think Maplin may have what you need.

Ian
 
T

Texy

Jan 1, 1970
0
Gareth said:
Maplin sell things like that:

www.maplin.co.uk

If the link below doesn't work go to the "Cables and Components" section
then "PCB & Circuit Development" subsection

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search/Resu...evel=1&Menu=17&Name=PCB & Circuit Development

There are companies that will make PCBs for you if you supply the data
in a suitable electronic format, have a look at:

http://www.pcbpool.com/ppuk/info.html

Only 49 Euros for a double sided PCB with plated through holes. I have
used this company and their PCBs are certainly a lot better than you can
make with a Maplin kit.

I have looked at maplins - there 'kit' was around 60 odd quid - a lot
more than I wanted to pay. They do sell a 'students' version for £18
however.
That might get me off to a start.
Is there a recommended website to show you how to do it?
What has confused me is that there seems to be two approaches to it -
one using UV lamps, and the other not (and therfore different
chemicals to use).

Texy
 
T

Texy

Jan 1, 1970
0
Ian Bell said:
Do you want home stuff for a few prototypes or production kit?

For home stuff I think Maplin may have what you need.

Ian

Ok - I also found www.megauk.com who sell loads of stuff at reasonable prices.

Thanks,
Texy
Now to look for a website to show me how to do it!
 
I

Ian Bell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Texy said:
I have looked at maplins - there 'kit' was around 60 odd quid - a lot
more than I wanted to pay. They do sell a 'students' version for £18
however.
That might get me off to a start.

I don't think you will find anything much cheaper than that for home use.
You could always use veroboard instead.
Is there a recommended website to show you how to do it?
What has confused me is that there seems to be two approaches to it -
one using UV lamps, and the other not (and therfore different
chemicals to use).

AFAIK the etching chemicals are the same. theonly difference between
prototype processes is that the UV exposure method needs to developed and
fixed like a film before etching whereas if you use a Dalo pin staight on
the bare copper you don't.

This site www.megauk.com has details of the UV process.

Ian
 
B

Bob Masta

Jan 1, 1970
0
Ok - I also found www.megauk.com who sell loads of stuff at reasonable prices.

Thanks,
Texy
Now to look for a website to show me how to do it!

For instructions on how to make simple direct-drawn
(Sharpie felt-tip marker) circuits etched with ferric
chloride, including tips on adjusting etchant concentration
and drilling, you might want to check out
<www.daqarta.com/lptxh.htm>

Hope this helps!



Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com
 
G

Gareth

Jan 1, 1970
0
Texy said:
I have looked at maplins - there 'kit' was around 60 odd quid - a lot
more than I wanted to pay. They do sell a 'students' version for £18
however.
That might get me off to a start.
Is there a recommended website to show you how to do it?
What has confused me is that there seems to be two approaches to it -
one using UV lamps, and the other not (and therfore different
chemicals to use).

One way to make PCBs would be to just draw the tracks on a copper clad
board with an etch resistant pen then put the board in ferric chloride
solution until the copper you don't want has gone. Then remove the PCB
and clean it.

If you use this method then you only need:

etch resistant pen
ferric chloride
copper clad board
plastic tray
rubber gloves
water
very fine abrasive cleaner

You can by the pen, ferric chloride crystals and cleaner from Maplin,
probably for a lot less than 60 quid. I think that is what the student
kit consists of.

Instead of a pen you can use etch resistant transfers, I think this is
what the expensive kit consists of.

If you use a UV light box the etching process will be the same, but
instead of drawing the tracks on with a pen or transfers you use a photo
sensitive etch resist which is exposed to UV through a transparent
plastic film on which there is a 1:1 print of your artwork. You also
need to develop the etch resist so an extra chemical process is required.

UV light boxes appear to be over 100 quid which is probably beyond your
budget. I have heard of people using sunlight instead of a UV box but I
have no idea how well that works.

Gareth.


--
 
P

petrus bitbyter

Jan 1, 1970
0
Texy said:
I have looked at maplins - there 'kit' was around 60 odd quid - a lot
more than I wanted to pay. They do sell a 'students' version for £18
however.
That might get me off to a start.
Is there a recommended website to show you how to do it?
What has confused me is that there seems to be two approaches to it -
one using UV lamps, and the other not (and therfore different
chemicals to use).

Texy

Forth time I post this reply. Hope it comes through this time.

Try this:

http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs.html

petrus
 
T

Texy

Jan 1, 1970
0
petrus bitbyter said:
Forth time I post this reply. Hope it comes through this time.

Well it got through 3 times!
Thanks petrus

Texy
 
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