PCB is a board made of insulating materials (usually fiberglass or composite materials such as FR4), covered with a copper layer, used to connect electronic components. These copper wires have replaced the traditional wiring, making the circuit more compact, reliable and easier to assemble. PCBs are the foundation of modern electronic products. Whether it is a smartphone, a computer or a smart home device, the circuit board provides mechanical support and electrical connection for electronic components.
Why make circuit boards by yourself?
There are many benefits to learning to make printed circuit boards. You can use it for prototype development and make your own circuit board to test the new design. This is also a good way to learn electronic knowledge. By making it by hand, you can understand the basic principles of electronics more intuitively. Meanwhile, it can also be used for fun projects, such as creating DIY inventions, toys or creative electronic devices. Would you like to make a simple circuit board by yourself? Today, this article of ours is a comprehensive guide to DIY your own circuit board. Now, let's move on to today's topic!
DIY Circuit Board: Step-by-Step Process
In this guide, we will guide you step by step through the complete process of making DIY circuit boards. We will explain step by step from the selection of material tools, circuit board design, PCB design, soldering to testing. By making a simple circuit board by hand, you can gain a deep understanding of how a circuit board works and also master practical skills related to PCB manufacturing, laying a solid foundation for your project.
Step 1: Tools and materials preparation
The first step in making a circuit board is to prepare the tools and materials. Generally, the tools and materials needed for DIY circuit boards include:
Copper clad laminate: Choose FR4 or phenolic paper substrate. Beginners are advised to use FR4 boards with a thickness of about 1.5mm.
Laser printer: Used for printing circuit diagrams (inkjet printers are not suitable).
Glossy paper: such as magazine paper, photo paper or special transfer paper. Paper with a smooth surface is needed so that toner can be transferred easily.
Iron/laminating machine: Used for heat transfer of circuit patterns onto copper plates.
Corrosive liquid
Commonly used: Ferric chloride solution (simple to operate but easy to stain)
Optional: Sodium persulfate (cleaner, but with slightly slower corrosion)
Plastic containers: used for holding corrosive solutions to prevent metal containers from reacting with corrosive solutions.
Tweezers, disposable gloves and goggles: Prevent splashing during operation.
Mini electric drills: such as Dremel, used for drilling.
Soldering iron + solder wire: used for soldering components.
Alcohol cotton/board cleaner: Clean the surface of the PCB.
Multimeter: Check the circuit.
Tips
? It is recommended to choose FR4 copper clad laminate. Because FR4 material is heat-resistant, has good strength and is not prone to warping. Note: Do not use expired or damp boards. Because the copper surface is very likely to have oxidized.
? Before operating the corrosive solution, check that the container has no cracks to prevent leakage.
? Preheat before using the corrosive solution. The corrosive solution can be heated in warm water over a water bath to around 40℃, which can accelerate the corrosion rate.
Step 2: Circuit Design
After all the tools and materials are ready, it's time for circuit design. For DIY circuit boards, we suggest starting with simple ones, as this makes it easier to master the basic processes.
The steps for designing the circuit are as follows:
1. First, download and install KiCAD, EasyEDA or other free PCB design software.
2. Draw the schematic diagram (i.e., design the connection relationship of the circuit).
3. Convert the schematic diagram into a PCB layout diagram and arrange the positions of each component and the routing properly.
4. Set the size of the board and the position of the holes.
5. Export Gerber files or generate image PCB layout diagrams (for transfer printing).
6. Print the circuit diagram onto glossy paper:
When printing, choose high-contrast, solid black
Print the mirror image (make sure the pattern is correct after transfer)
Tips
? Avoid too thin wiring (beginners are advised to be ≥ 0.4mm) to prevent corrosion and breakage.
? Thread spacing ≥ 0.4mm to avoid short circuit risk.
? Make sure the exported file is a mirror image and avoid reversing the pattern when transferring.
? If you are a beginner, you can download sample circuits online for practice.
? You can use the "DRC Check" feature in the Design software to detect short circuits or routing errors in time.
Step 3: Transfer the circuit diagram
After the circuit design is completed, it's time to transfer the circuit diagram. The steps for transferring circuit diagrams are as follows:
1. Cut the copper clad laminate. Cut the copper clad laminate to the corresponding design size. Then use a file to smooth the edges.
2. Clean the surface of the copper clad laminate:
First, gently sand the copper surface with fine sandpaper or a steel wool ball to remove the oxide layer.
Wipe it clean with alcohol again to keep the surface dry and free of oil stains.
3. Transfer circuit diagrams:
Press the circuit diagram (with the toner side down) tightly against the copper plate.
Heat evenly on the drawing with an iron (high-temperature non-steam mode), and press each position for 1 to 2 minutes.
It can be ironed repeatedly to ensure that the toner adheres firmly.
After cooling, immerse the board in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Carefully tear off the paper and only keep the toner pattern on the copper plate.
Check again to see if there is any disconnection. If there are any broken lines, they can be redrawn with an oil-based pen or a waterproof marker pen.
Tips:
? The surface of the copper plate must be polished to a bright and free of oxide layer for the pattern to stick firmly.
? Iron with high heat but not too hot, or the toner will spread and blur.
? The paper should be pressed tightly to prevent air bubbles from causing incomplete transfer.
? Ironing method: Iron from the center to the sides first to prevent air bubbles.
? After ironing, do not tear the paper immediately. Let it cool down first and then soak it in water. The pattern will be more complete.
Step 4: PCB etching
After the graphics are transferred, the PCB etching process can begin. The operation steps of PCB etching are:
1. Put on gloves and goggles and prepare a well-ventilated environment.
2. Pour the etching solution into a plastic container (it is recommended that the bottom of the container be larger to facilitate the placement of the PCB).
3. Insert the PCB. Then use tweezers to hold the edge of the plate and gently shake the container to promote uniform corrosion.
4. Observe the board surface:
The excess copper layer gradually dissolves, leaving only the copper in the area covered by carbon powder.
It usually takes 10 to 30 minutes to complete (depending on the concentration of the corrosive solution and the temperature).
5. After completion, rinse thoroughly with plenty of clean water.
6. Wipe off the toner pattern with alcohol to expose the copper wire.
Tips
? Wear gloves and goggles to prevent splashes from hurting hands and eyes.
? Corrosive liquid must not be poured into the sewer (Environmentally friendly!). It should be collected and handed over to a certified waste disposal facility.
? Do not stir the corrosive solution with metal tools (to prevent reaction).
? The used corrosive solution should be properly disposed of and must not be discharged at will.
? A board placed vertically in the liquid and gently shaken will make the corrosion more uniform.
Step 5: Drilling
After the PCB is etched and cleaned, it's time to drill holes. The specific steps of drilling are:
1. According to the design drawing, use a perforating pen or a fine-tip pen to mark the drilled positions.
2. Drill holes with a mini electric drill and select a drill bit of an appropriate diameter (generally 0.8mm to 1.2mm).
3. Keep the drill holes vertical to prevent installation difficulties caused by slanting holes.
4. Remove burrs around the hole. You can use a small file or a sharp blade to smooth them out.
Tips
? The position of the drill hole is marked with small dots in advance for positioning (to prevent the drill bit from sliding).
? Drill not too fast to prevent the foil from delaminating.
? Wear goggles against splashes.
? Secure the drill rig with an electric drill holder to keep the hole vertical.
Step 6: Soldering
After drilling the holes, it's time for welding. Welding can be operated in accordance with the following steps:
1. Insert the components into the holes in sequence according to the circuit diagram.
Insert the low components (resistors, diodes, etc.) first.
Insert higher components (electrolytic capacitors, pin headers, etc.)
2. Solder with an electric soldering iron (with a temperature of approximately 300 to 350°C):
The soldering iron tip heats the solder pad and pins for 1 second first, and then feeds in the solder.
After the solder pads and pins are wrapped in solder solution, remove the soldering iron.
Keep the solder joints bright and full, neither too many nor too few.
3. Inspect the solder joints to ensure there are no false welds or continuous welds.
4. Cut off the excess pins of the components.
Tips:
? Pay attention to the polarity element direction (electrolytic capacitor, diode, IC, etc.).
? Do not heat the pad for too long to prevent the copper sheet from coming off.
? Check every few solder joints that have been welded to avoid extensive rework.
? Flux improves solder joint quality and makes soldering smoother.
Step 7: Testing
After the components are soldered, we can:
1. Use a multimeter to measure the on-off status:
Check whether the key circuits are connected.
Confirm that there is no short circuit.
2. Before powering on, check the installation direction of the components again (especially polar components such as diodes, electrolytic capacitors, and ICs).
3. Test function after power-on:
Verify whether the circuit works as designed.
It can be connected to a load or peripheral devices to observe the actual effect.
Tips:
? Check that there is no short circuit on the positive and negative terminals of the power supply with a multimeter before powering on.
? Check solder joint connectivity, especially power, ground and critical signal lines.
? When powered on for the first test, it is best to connect a current-limiting resistor or a small bulb in series to prevent accidental burning out.
? Test circuit functions in modules to locate problems more efficiently.
The above is the entire process of making a circuit board by yourself. Each time we make a circuit board, we can keep the board and parameter records, which is convenient for summarizing and improving. You can also prepare a dedicated small tool box to categorize and store materials and tools.
A Leading PCB and PCBA Manufacturer — PCBasic
If you need more complex or mass-produced circuit boards, then you can find a professional and reliable manufacturer. Professional PCB manufacturers can provide you with high-precision and high-reliability PCB design and manufacturing services to meet the needs of various electronic applications. If we were to recommend, we would recommend PCBasic.
PCBasic is a reliable manufacturer of PCBs and PCBA. They focus on high-quality circuit boards and assembly services. They have advanced production equipment, strict quality control and an experienced engineering team. They can provide customized PCB and PCBA solutions for industries such as automotive, medical, industrial control, communication and consumer electronics.
The capabilities of PCBasic include but are not limited to:
Rapid prototyping and mass production
Rigid PCBs, flexible PCBs, and rigid-flex PCBs
High-frequency PCBs, HDI PCBs, metal PCBs
Lead-free and environmentally friendly, compliant with the RoHS assembly process
Comprehensive testing (AOI, X-ray, ICT, flying probe testing, functional testing)
PCBasic has always adhered to the commitment of high reliability, high precision and customer satisfaction, supporting every project of customers with competitive prices and on-time delivery.
Conclusion
DIY circuit boards are a great way to learn electronic knowledge, practice circuit board design and develop your own circuits. By making a simple circuit board, you can master the basic knowledge about PCBs. After that, with accumulated experience, one can take on more complex PCB and circuit board designs. When operating, safety must be given top priority. Wear gloves and goggles when there is corrosion. Be patient and meticulous to avoid production failure due to impatience.
Once you have mastered how to make printed circuit boards, you will be able to design and produce more reliable and complex circuits with confidence. Sure, if you have the idea of mass-producing circuit boards, please feel free to contact us!
About PCBasic
Time is money in your projects – and PCBasic gets it. PCBasic is a PCB assembly company that delivers fast, flawless results every time. Our comprehensive PCB assembly services include expert engineering support at every step, ensuring top quality in every board. As a leading PCB assembly manufacturer, we provide a one-stop solution that streamlines your supply chain. Partner with our advanced PCB prototype factory for quick turnarounds and superior results you can trust.
