Anyone willing to etch some PCBs?

[The Master]

Hi, Does anyone have the equipment to etch PCBs and would be willing to etch some for me at low cost? The boards are pretty small (1 for example is 236.22 X 12.7mm). Single sided. The designs arnt complete yet but i will probably need about 30-50 total (about 15 different types). They dont need drilling or solder mask or anything (just etching). I would prefer it if they can be cut up into individual boards but i _could_ do that myself.

Im in the UK so i need someone who is either in the UK or who can send PCBs here at low cost.

If your are interested please state _roughly_ how much you would be willing to make 50 PCBs for assuming 236.22 X 12.7mm. I expect to have all the designs done within a few weeks so we can discuss a more accurate price then.

I use PCBWizard but i can export to gerber files

[duncan303]

Hi,

I agree that single sided, single layer,no vias,no holes, no soldermask, no legend makes it very easy, so easy in fact.................

maybe........ depending on the component density and signal widths, isolation width to the ground plane, you may find that all you need is some presensitised board, a cat litter tray, some etchant and a printer capable of laying on a dense image onto a translucent paper/acetate. Oh and the sun shine for UV source, if you are lucky.

you say the boards are assorted and you mention one 1/2" x 9" well its the panelisation that is going to take time. Will your layout software allow you to arrange multiple designs onto a single printout?

I know this is not the answer to your question but i'm sure you would be able to succeed if you gave it a go, you could have a design from screen to bench ready for populating within the hour, how cool is that.


HTHH


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[The Master]

I can arrange multiple boards on a single sheet. I do have some equipment to make PCBs myself but the acid is no good at all now and after these boards its not likely that ill be making anymore for a while.

I dont want to buy more acid and unpack all of the equipment (some of it even needs finding first) just to do a few PCBs then pack it all away again and let the acid go to waste. The last PCBs i made didnt come out very well either and i wasted a lot of time and didnt get the results i wanted.

[duncan303]

I was thinking of:
cat litter tray £1
Etchant £2.50
Developer £3
sheets of tracing paper 10p

plus the board

so you do not have to waste time looking for any old kit, it cheap enough to buy and dispose of what you do not use. None of the above have a significant limitation on shelf life.

Does your boardhouse not allow multiple designs? TBH I think maybe a boardhouse is probably the best route for you.

cost wise....... maybe just bite the bullet.

STTH

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[The Master]

Ive got the stuff you mentioned but you didnt put acid on the list. Thats expensive to keep replacing everytime i make PCBs (which isnt that often at the moment).

My first idea was to get a company to make them but they are all way to expensive for low volume.

[duncan303]

Etchant is ferric chloride which will dissolve the copper from the board
250g from rapid ~£2.50

What is the acid to which you refer?

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[mackrackit]

Oh and the sun shine for UV source, if you are lucky.

an aquarium bulb also works well during an eclipse.

I will ad to duncan's list a cheap picture frame for the thin piece of glass to hold the transparency on the board while it is in the sun.

Do a couple of test to get the hang of it and see how easy it is.

Nothing like rolling you own.