Questions tagged [etching]
The etching tag has no usage guidance.
60 questions
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Is it possible to expose dry photoresist film to UV before applying to copper for etching?
I've looked at a couple of resources regarding etching PCBs using dry photoresist film and in each of the methods, the film is applied to the copper before the image is projected onto the film with UV ...
2
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2
answers
217
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Problem in etching a PCB
I was working on making my own PCB but faced a problem during etching. I used an iron to transfer the circuit to the copper board, some of the sketch wasn't fine so I used a permanent marker to make ...
2
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1
answer
106
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Best ways to mask missing toner after toner transfer PCB etching
I want to make a general guide for masking the missing toner on copper clad after toner transfer.
The masking methods I know so far:
Permanent marker (some say it doesn't work, I am intimidated by it ...
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0
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55
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Protecting vias with plated copper with the toner transfer method
With the film photoresist method, the film, if not etched off, can be used to form a protective layer over via to prevent the copper inside from being etched.
Is this possible with the toner transfer ...
2
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1
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675
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PCB etching went wrong or what?
I was trying to etch a PCB of 12x23 cm using FeCl3 powder. Below are the pictures of the process:
Before dipping into etching solution (some tracks were corrected using permanent marker):
After ...
1
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0
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122
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PCB manufacturing process
What process can I use for PCB etching? What chemical compositions required along with etching time, reuseability of the solvent, inks to be used so that copper layer of the drawing area is unaffected?...
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7
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7k
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In PCBs, why is copper etched away instead of added?
I know that in virtually every case, PCBs start as a substrate with a layer of copper laminated on top, which is then etched away, leaving the traces. But why are the traces not added on an empty ...
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1
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147
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Trying to do circuit etching using ethanol or even iron
Have been trying to solve my circuit transfer from printout to the copper clad. Have failed mostly.
Have used laser printout.
Have used inkjet printout.
Have used high resolution print.
Have used ...
0
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1
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514
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Kicad negative plot pdf file export scaling issue
I have been using Kicad for about a month for my project. While finishing up the 2 layer design, I wanted to print out a negative plot on a butter paper with the top and bottom layer printed side by ...
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1
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306
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PCB photoresist method etching incomplete - only etched around borders of traces
I'm trying to make PCBs for the first time, but I hit a roadblock and don't know how to fix the problem.
I etched my 3rd developing attempt, but it looks like only the border around the traces was ...
6
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3
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4k
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Ferric Chloride Etchant Disposal
I am a beginner with PCBs and wanted to start making some. But before I did, I wanted to make sure I was completely prepared. I just wanted to make sure that the information I have is correct and had ...
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2
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104
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Dry or wet etching in fabrication cmos chip?
What types of etching are used in conventional chip fabrication technologies such as TSMC 0.18, dry or wet?
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189
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Minimum EAGLE trace width for PCB etching with glossy paper and a cloth iron
What`s the minimum widht and clearence that's etchable using a photo paper and an iron? I've heard using too small clearence might mess the ink resulting in shorts. I want to have 20V@400mA, will 8mil ...
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2
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615
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Beginner struggling with first time PCB etching - advice
First time hobbyist here.
Is it a common issue for closely placed track lines to end up touching each other during the toner transfer process (I'm assuming this is the correct term)? If so, are there ...
2
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1
answer
312
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PCB electroplating then etching
How can I protect the through holes copper which is electroplated from being etched away by the ferric chloride? Is there a resistive solution or it`s just the conductive ink.
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81
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What is the pad-etching process in standard CMOS fabrication process
What is the pad etching process?
Is it possible to etch to the bottom metal layers or vias in standard CMOS fabrication?
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1
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469
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PCB Toner Transfer Method - How to remove toner when it fails before etching?
I am trying to do a PCB toner transfer, however sometimes the transfer is imperfect and the really small traces fail so I would like to start over and reuse the board again instead of etching it.
I ...
3
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1
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513
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PCB etching not working: everything etched
I tried to etch a PCB with the photoresist method, using sodium hydroxid as developer and ferric chlorid as etcher. I think the problem is in the development phase. Although reading a lot about ...
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3
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421
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Is a cosmetic logotype on an outer copper layer a bad idea?
I've seen many people add logotypes and other graphics in the copper layers of PCBs, often also removing the solder mask in these places to expose the bare (or rather plated) copper.
Is there ...
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3
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984
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PCB etching gone bad
I'm etching a double sided circuit board for my project in electrical engineering but somehow the PCB gets these weird marks and turns out bad. I tried different things like washing the PCB before ...
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92
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Problem with PCB making
I have followed a process to make a PCB, whose link is given below. I have followed the every process as mentioned with correct proportion of chemicals. But, unfortunately, this didn't work (traces ...
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3
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2k
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Stripping dry-film photoresist safely at home
I am trying my hand at dry-film photoresists. I am looking for any hints on how to strip it safely at home.
From what I can gather, stripping dry-film is generally done with 1-4% sodium hydroxide or ...
0
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1
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218
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handcrafted PCB problems
I have attempted to make this board below at home. Applied negative photoresist paint, left to dry for about 4 hours each side over a radiator, applied a double layer tracing paper with the artwork on ...
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1
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102
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How do we extract the etchant after it is stopped at the boron layer in MEMs fabrication process?
Dopant-Selective etch stop method is where we create a layer of highly doped boron in the substrate to stop the etching process at that exact layer, but when that cavity is created the etchants are ...
16
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2
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4k
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How to rinse container used for ferric chloride etching?
From what I have gathered online, after etching one stores the "used" ferric chloride (more specifically FeCl2 and CuCl) in some container which can then be taken to a waste disposal facility.
What ...
3
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2
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462
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Bubble etching versus rocker tank
I make my own PCBs and etch them in a homemade bubble tank.
The tank has failed after a couple of years largely due to the etchant slowly eating it's way through some of the materials (glues, pipes, ...
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4
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4k
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My PCBs etch all bad! (sodium persulfate)
I've recently started having problems with etching my PCBs.
I use a permanent marker to do the traces and etch them in a stainless steel cup, heated with a tea light (small candle.)
The PCBs come ...
0
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1
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297
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"etching" transparent conductor on transparent plastic film or glass? [closed]
I've put the word etching in quotations as the method to get conductive tracks on a glass or plastic film might not involve a subtractive approach as with traditional PCBs of applying a conductive ...
1
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1
answer
567
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Printing PCB layout on TES 200 paper
As title says, I'm trying to print a very dense PCB layout on a thermal paper.
I'm using a laser printer, as it is mandatory. The problem is, you can see some little grains/gaps all over the printed ...
0
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2
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237
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Which of these diagrams should be in the copper side of pcb?
I'm trying a DIY PCB using toner transfer method then etching but I am confused with the diagram below. I thought the top trace goes to the copper board but there's this bottom trace which shows ...
2
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1
answer
161
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Does fast one-day prototype manufacturing exist (with components, etching and pick and place under one roof)? What is the fastest possible? [closed]
We have different prototyping assembly houses, but cycle times are so long that engineers need to work on 2-5 projects in parallel.
The typical prototype assembly process is:
one day order process, ...
0
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1
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856
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Can a Laser Engraver be used to develop PCB with photoresist?
I'm building a simple laser engraver/cutter following these instructions:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1780556
Now my question is: can I use the laser light on the PCB photoresist instead of "...
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2
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248
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How to measure current on an electrolytic etcher
I'm building a simple electrolytic etcher to mark steel parts. The set up is a 12v DC 5 amp power supply with the ground connected to on side of the steel part and the positive connected to a brass ...
1
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1
answer
824
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Etching using Sodium Persulfate, Is my photosensitive board too old?
I am trying to etch my first PCB ever, I have used the inkjet transparency method to expose my photosensitive Bungard board and developed it using Sodium Peroxide. This part of the process seems to ...
1
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2
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3k
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PCB Etching (Negative Photoresist) Issue
I seem to be having issues getting my new PCB etching setup to work.
My earlier setup worked just fine which included:
printing negative artwork on a parchment paper
exposing a copper pcb with ...
2
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2
answers
714
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signs of complete PCB photo-resist development
Currently. I'm making a PCB using the photolithographic method (print on transparency, expose with UV which works, then develop under a bright red LED as the only light source), but half the time, the ...
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3
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327
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"Reverse etch" PCB base(not the copper)
Is there a reliable way to etch a PCB(from working product) so as to be left with the surface without the substrate?
Sometimes an existing PCB product which wasn't designed with weight, size or ...
2
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2
answers
3k
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How to remove Kapton polyimide film from Pyralux cupper sheet?
I want to etch Pyralux sheet and will follow this tutorial. The sheet I want to try is LF9120R and it is 1 oz of copper per square ft (or 305g/m^2). They describe ...
3
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1
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758
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PCB UV Etching Paint
Is the UV curable paint used for PCB etching the same UV curable paint used for making PCB solder masks? Some have different eBay descriptions but they're all in identical 100g black containers.
As ...
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2
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1k
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Can Petroleum Jelly be used as a PCB resist?
I've been experimenting with various setups for PCB etching, and thought I'd share one of the more useful things I'd found, as I don't see much information about the subject anywhere else.
I've been ...
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2
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2k
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What is the typical PCB fabrication process in a professional PCB house?
I have been etching my own boards as part of my hobby interest into electronics, and I can't help but wonder how exactly is the typical printed circuit board manufactured? Unfortunately, details on ...
2
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1
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7k
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Proper storage of ferric cloride PCB etchant
I etch about half a dozen printed circuit boards each year at home, using an aqueous ferric chloride AKA iron(III) chloride etchant solution. As I want to minimize the costs and hassle of buying new ...
3
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1
answer
812
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Apply etch resist on copper
I cannot get my toner etch resist on to my copper board. I'm doing with the iron, but each time I try the ink does not transfer completely.
I've tried many things - applying some water on it, ...
1
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2
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2k
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How to etch Double sided pcb?
I am trying to etch my circuit on a double sided copper clad at home. After designing my circuit I took a print on tracing paper and used iron to get the trace on copper clad. When I used iron paper ...
1
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1
answer
181
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How do I make a through-hole via? [duplicate]
Using a simple PCB with copper on both sides but naturally in between, is it feasible for a hobbyist to make through-hole vias like this:
It seems there is copper in the via itself, isn't there?
If ...
-1
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1
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480
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Current limiting AC
I am currently experimenting with electrolytic marking. I use a DC bench supply with a current dial so I can drive the reaction with a constant current to keep the marking steady and as a plus keep it ...
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1
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2k
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What is the recommended exposure time for presentisized positive photoresist board? [duplicate]
What is the recommended exposure time for presentisized positive photoresist board using UV light, fluorescent light, CFL bulb and (will it also work with LED light)?
How do we also determine if the ...
-1
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1
answer
381
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pcb etching: chemical method or milling [closed]
i'am actually intending to install a small pcb production process (100 pieces per day)
and i am still hesitating on the etching method: chemical or with a milling machine !!
I would prefer a cnc ...
1
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0
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58
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crystalline structure of single crystal wafers used for MEMS fabrication
When they say that we have a {1 0 0} single crystal wafer, I know that the surface normal to the wafer is oriented in the <1 0 0> family direction, but if I draw a line on the wafer, parallel to my ...
0
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2
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93
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Silicon etching process
I am a student doing my Master's Degree having a background in Electrical Engineering. I have studied on my own millers indices, crystallographic planes and directions so to be able to understand the ...