Electronics > Mechanical & Automation Engineering

DIY PCB STARTUP

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joergen14:
We’re a group of engineering students at SDU University in Demark

Right now, we’re building a DIY PCB machine to make electronics skills more accessible for students. Many universities, including ours, don’t have easy access to PCB equipment, and we think this machine could open up a lot of possibilities for students who want to experiment and build.

We’ve created a short survey (about 5 minutes), and your feedback would be incredibly valuable to us as we develop this project.

https://eu.jotform.com/form/242832076794061

Thank you for all the inspiration we’d love to hear what you think!

[SDU Engineering Student]

Overspeed:
Hello

most challenging on DIY or small setup is the Vias as that request metallisation of the holes , except if you put rivets or copper nails

Other concern is the base material , as you shall stay in FR4 1.6 mm thickness basic specs , all other FR4 and also RF ''Rogers'' cost hell .

A nice process is laser engraving but you can also use your laser to burn paint as a mask and after make a etching , some US universities use laser burning to produce prototype in house

Good luck

OS

janoc:
I don't want to spoil your student enthusiasm but how do you expect to compete with the PCB fabrication services like JLCPCB or PCBWay (or even Aisler here in the EU)? Did you consider that many places don't have their own PCB making equipment simply because it is not economical to do so? Is your machine going to be able to produce a board with soldermask, silkscreen, metalized vias and more than 2 layers?

That aside, why to reinvent the wheel?  If you want to manufacture your own PCBs on a small scale beyond the hobby DIY level like tone transfer, then a spray etching tank/machine, UV exposing unit and consumables cost very little and are certainly available even to a Danish university (apropos, greetings to SDU, I used to work at AAU in Esbjerg just across the street from the SDU campus, with many SDU colleagues). You still won't have metalized vias or soldermask unless you invest in additional process but that's true for pretty much any kind of "PCB machine" you are likely to build that would be still relevant for a student.

There is no need to invent a "PCB machine" (I guess some kind of CNC engraver/router?) here, IMO and probably very little market among cash strapped students for something like that.

Apropos, consider that in many cases the problem isn't the cost of purchasing the equipment but the recurring costs of operating it - e.g. required supervision if to be operated by students, consumables, handling the toxic waste, dealing with toxic dust (in case of using a CNC router) in a way that won't give the occupational safety authorities a heart attack and the operator a hefty fine. This adds up quickly to way more than the original cost of the equipment. E.g. my hackspace here down the street has gotten rid of their PCB production equipment for exactly these reasons, with the argument that it is much easier for everyone involved to order the boards online instead. There is a huge difference between etching or engraving a board at home - and operating (or selling) this equipment in a public space/institution/business where the laws and regulations are strict and the authorities are watching you.

jduncan:
I'm pretty curious who will answer "No" to this question

thm_w:

--- Quote from: jduncan on November 01, 2024, 07:30:57 pm ---I'm pretty curious who will answer "No" to this question
--- End quote ---

I think what they meant to write was 2 layer PCB, not double sided load PCB.

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