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Electronics Design and Construction

Printed Circuit Boards

I make mine using the Toner Transfer method. This method has the capability to produce reasonable quality boards quickly at minimal cost. I have been using OHP Transperiancy Film that is designed for use in Laser printers as the transfer medium. This releases the toner well but is easially moved or distorted turing the heating process. I usually have to touch up some of the board before etching with a resist pen but the toner transfer saves a lot of time. I have been using an HP Laserjet 5L to print the artwork with. This printer seams to do quite a good job, especially if the tonar density is set to maximum while the artwork is printed. To ensure good toner transfer it is extreemly important that the board be throughley cleaned before the toner transfer is performed. For more detailed boards I would prefer to use the photographic method but for simpler boards the toner transfer method is fine.

Etchants

Feric Cloride is good because you don't have to mix a new batch all the time but it has a major disadvantage that is leave stains and makes a mess of anything metal!

Amonium Persulphate is neat beacuse you can see whats going on but it is not reusable, ie once you have etched a board in it dosen't work any more and you will need to mix up a new batch.