PCB Fabrication

[Simon]

the photo method is much better, I made my own UV unit from 225 UV leds and an old flatbed scanner (yes took about 8 hrs to solder the leds to the stripboard). The exsposure time is 30-45 seconds ! and I develop in a weak solution of caustic soda in about 10 seconds, I've been trying to use the muriatic acid method myself but ended up buying some etching chemical from maplins as it was getting too involved

[septer012]

http://www.getlofi.com/?p=1997

This tutorial does not sound too involved.

[Simon]

the third video is a joke ! haven't bothered with the other two

[flolic]

Hydrochloric (muriatic) acid and 30% Hydrogen Peroxide works great for me! If you preheat the mixture, you can etch PCB in a few minutes.

[Simon]

I'll be looking into it in the spring when its a bit warmer and I'll be making more pcb's at the moment i do one now and then, have the chemical in a tupperware container with a heater in it, exspose and develop and etch whenever i fancy

[Veramacor]

Hey Simon,

That sounds like a great project.  I was about to get rid of my old flatbed scanner and was wondering what to do with it.  Can you post pictures of your UV beast?

[Simon]

when I have time - yea.

it is just a peice of strip board with 225 leads in a 15X15 arrangement. if you get Uv leds off ebay you will need to check them one by one for current and forward voltage and seperate them into 3-4 categories so that you put leds that are the same together and try and get them all the same brightness, mine is not perfect but good enough