PCB Process
Cenlasoft
Posts: 265
Hello,
I am almost complete in creating a eddy current analyzer using the prop as the microprocessor. I want to lean how to draw a circuit on a pcb. My creations have been so far drawn by hand with a sharpie marker and etching them with ferric chloride. Is there a starter program for mac or pc that I can do a simple board with? Are there any how to books on doing this. My final product will be commercially done, but I want to learn.
Thanks,
Cenlasoft
I am almost complete in creating a eddy current analyzer using the prop as the microprocessor. I want to lean how to draw a circuit on a pcb. My creations have been so far drawn by hand with a sharpie marker and etching them with ferric chloride. Is there a starter program for mac or pc that I can do a simple board with? Are there any how to books on doing this. My final product will be commercially done, but I want to learn.
Thanks,
Cenlasoft
Comments
The steps involved are:
1. Design your custom part footprints if needed.
2. Draw up your schematic.
3. Arrange your parts on the PCB editor.
4. Either autoroute, or route the parts by hand.
5. Print the image onto a transparency or laser printer and do your thing.
EAGLE has a freeware version that limits your board space to something like 4"x3" I think(maybe a little smaller).
I'm not exactly sure what you mean my that statement, but if you want to try your hand at designing PCBs and having somebody else make the PCB for you, I have had pretty good luck with these guys.
www.expresspcb.com/
Mind you, I'm a total newb at everything involving microprocessors, PCBs, etc. but I've used their service twice and it's worked out great both times. My latest board was about 5 by 6 inches, used a Propeller chip, 4 digital pots, 2 comparators, several power regs, an SD card, a real time clock with backup battery, EEPROM, digital thermometer, connectors for mouse and VGA, plus an assortment of switches, voltage clamps, and other connectors. Two PCBs cost me $110 and they ship in a few days. The software is free, runs on a PC, takes a few hours to learn IF you've never done a PCB in your life (like me). One downside is that, as far as I know, you can't transport your design to something like EAGLE, etc. that you could take to any other PCB maker. But, heck, considering how easy and cheap it is to get started, I personally could not have asked for better. Nowadays I don't even think about kluging things together with protoboards and such; my plans are to kluge everything with custom made PCBs.
Please note, however, they do not assemble the parts on the PCB - they just make the board.
hope that helps,
Mark
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