Easiest way to create circuit boards. This only applies for prototypes or when you have to create just one of kind.

After searching for two days on google and yahoo, I couldn't find anything other than tedious methods with CNCs or Corrosive chemicals that simple aren't worthy when you're creating an extremely small circuit board with few parts. I came up with this.

Create design using any software and print on a paper and paste paper on aluminium foil then cut aluminium foil and paste that cut-through on an epoxy board or cardboard and solder with components. We can also use conductive tape to make paths on board itself.

Would this work fine? what are other ways to fabricate extremely small circuits for hobby projects on epoxy/cartboard without using FECL, CNCs, Lasers, Etching, Wire Wrap, Pencil, Stripboard, Vero/perf or other s***.

Thanks,
Tronicrookie

 

Take a look at this approach.

See below.

hgmjr

 

I have used copper foil tape, 3M brand just like you describe and it works okay until you get to really small and close lands or IC pins. For that I stop the land and use a wire through the hole soldered to the land, then solder the pins of the socket to the wire. Use a small enough wire that the socket, or IC pins can still go through the hole and trim the wire short on top after soldering the socket in.

There are all kinds of little tricks for one of a kind boards but when the component count gets high this method is not so hot and in any case it is tedious.

 

Create design using any software and print on a paper and paste paper on aluminium foil then cut aluminium foil and paste that cut-through on an epoxy board or cardboard and solder with components.
Would this work fine?

I can't think of any "paste" that would hold paper to aluminum foil or aluminum foil to a substrate, nor can I solder to aluminum of any kind. So, no, it wouldn't work for me.

 

nor can I solder to aluminum of any kind.

Hi Tracecom.
The next time you need to solder to aluminum try Alsolder-500. (Stands for aluminum solder) You also need the aluminum solder paste but if you need it, it is worth getting. With that you can solder to aluminum as easy as to copper. It will also allow you to solder aluminium to other metals. I don't know about soldering to aluminum foil though, never tried that.

It is a lead based solder though so....

 

If I were you I'd just use stripboard and non-standard layout of components/jumpers to save space, I gather from you mentioning they are small, thats why you want to make your own?

 

Why hasn't any company that deals with hobbyists like radioshack comeup with a toolkit that has stencils/punching tool for cutting out common shapes like DIP sockets, MOSFETs and conductive sheets of any metal they found suitable and cheap.

Everyone is using ageold method of etching even for hobby projects when it's so timeconsuming and error prone for newbs.

Any other ideas? I got only one through this thread, thin copper strips.

 

I use varoboard... like I did this long ago Seven Segment Display.

Back side

Good Luck

 

Aluminum doesn't solder worth a squat, which is why copper is used.

Prototyping Electronic Circuits

Micro electronics uses conductive epoxy, but this has major problems. Very few people build this stuff first time error free, which is why the methods you refer to crap exist. They can be repaired or modified to meet updated needs.

 

that's why I made my own CNC PCB mill that can do even 16 lead QFN packages..... really comes in handy... ~

and it doesn't hurt to do point to point soldering on perfboards for a one time prototype...

 

Two thoughts:

Schmartboards. Never used em but they look useful.

Express PCB. Used em plenty, high quality boards for little money, and fast too. Just about breaks the "cheap, fast, good" rule.

 

that's why I made my own CNC PCB mill that can do even 16 lead QFN packages..... really comes in handy... ~

and it doesn't hurt to do point to point soldering on perfboards for a one time prototype...

BMorse- where have you been? Long, long time no post

 

that's why I made my own CNC PCB mill that can do even 16 lead QFN packages..... really comes in handy... ~

and it doesn't hurt to do point to point soldering on perfboards for a one time prototype...

How hard was to build it, BMorse?

Is it your own design?

Have you anything I could look at on the Web?

I am after some CNC (actually buying) but could consider building...

 

How hard was to build it, BMorse?

Is it your own design?

Have you anything I could look at on the Web?

I am after some CNC (actually buying) but could consider building...

Was not that hard to build, but then again, I have access to a lot of resources most don't. It is my own design.... you can check out the worklog here >> http://www.morse-code.com/id18.htm

 

BMorse- where have you been? Long, long time no post

Been really busy with work, I stop by once in a while to check things out, but don't have as much time to dedicate in helping out others right now, hopefully things will slow down a bit and I will be back as usual...