how to make your own PCBs

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rocklander
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Re: how to make your own PCBs

Post by rocklander »

Cdog wrote:Righto... I'm starting my first pcb project for a power supply of all things. 8) I tried using Eagle and it did my head in. :?
Express PCB is very easy to use for what I'm trying to do, but it exports these files called .dxf which is a little wierd coz nothing opens them, and the image files I exported have no traces?? Meh I'll keep tweakering. Anybody got some advice on getting the printable art out of this program easily?
I get it on as large a screen as I can find, then get the pic as large as possible on that screen (using the selection magnifier), then use [alt]+[print screen] and paste that into photofiltre... crop away.
to get the trace/holes only, I use the buttons on the left bottom side to hide silkscreen and bottom layers then do the same thing.
I wish I could move those buttons to the top toolbar cos they're out of view on my netbook :x
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Re: how to make your own PCBs

Post by druz15 »

can't download the mac version of eagle it keeps timing out.
Thinking of building a power supply with 12 & 18v outputs as well so I can power everything off one unit and not take extra plugs for Philosophers tone and TC Nova Repeater
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Re: how to make your own PCBs

Post by Rog »

Admittedly, its been many years since I did this, but IIRC, I just used to A4 print to check / scan to size / print on OHT sheet / lay on photosensitive PCB / expose to light / etch etc. Just seems a lot easier process to me. Am I missing something?
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Re: how to make your own PCBs

Post by Cdog »

rocklander wrote:I get it on as large a screen as I can find, then get the pic as large as possible on that screen (using the selection magnifier), then use [alt]+[print screen] and paste that into photofiltre... crop away.
to get the trace/holes only, I use the buttons on the left bottom side to hide silkscreen and bottom layers then do the same thing.
I wish I could move those buttons to the top toolbar cos they're out of view on my netbook
Thanks man 8)
jeremyb wrote:.dxf is autocad format, you could try something like this: http://www.bravaviewer.com/free-autocad-file-viewer.htm
Downloading...

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rocklander
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Re: how to make your own PCBs

Post by rocklander »

Rog wrote:Admittedly, its been many years since I did this, but IIRC, I just used to A4 print to check / scan to size / print on OHT sheet / lay on photosensitive PCB / expose to light / etch etc. Just seems a lot easier process to me. Am I missing something?
that's if you're using photosensitive PCB.. most accessible stuff is not, so it's a matter of transferring the toner from your printer to the PCB somehow so the etchant doesn't eat all your nommy copper.. and this particular issue was about getting the toner.
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Re: how to make your own PCBs

Post by Rog »

Did you get some solder?
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Re: how to make your own PCBs

Post by rocklander »

Rog wrote:Did you get some solder?
in the mail... ex ebay - loverly 60/40, none of that leadfree shyte
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Re: how to make your own PCBs

Post by alanp »

Happy braindeath ex-alcohol, eh?
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