Free PCB Design Tools

Feb 22, 2009 · 1 Comments

Here's a PCB design tools list you can download, and more resource for comparing which one software you can choose to use. Get freeware and open source pcb design tools.

  • EAGLE - Nice, easy to use CAD/CAM software for PCB schematic and routing. You can download free evaluation version.
  • TinyCAD -TinyCAD is a free open-source schematic editor written by Matt Pyne.
  • FREE-PCB -FreePCB is a free, open-source printed circuit board layout editor for Microsoft Windows!
  • gEDA - gEDA is a free, open-source schematic capture and layout package that runs on Linux.
  • ZenitPCB - ZenitPCB is a freeware layout software.
  • PCB - Free unix PCB editor.
  • KICAD -GPL open source schematic capture and PCB routing.
  • TCI3 -Free PCB routing and schematic capture software.
  • SCORE - Free schematic capture software (Alfa version).
  • PROTEL - CAD/CAM software for schematic and routing. You can download 30 days free trial. Protel offers free old-DOS based software called EasyTrax.
  • MINIMAL PCB EDITOR - Open source schematic capture and board layout editor for windows by OKADA Hitoshi
More source for freeware and open source PCB Design Tools

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PCB Trace Width Calculator

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Here's a links list for PCB trace calcultor, calculates the trace width for printed circuit board conductors for a given current using formulas from IPC-2221 (formerly IPC-D-275).

PCB Trace Width Calculator - This Javascript web calculator calculates the trace width for printed circuit boards based on a curve fit to IPC-2221 (formerly IPC-D-275). Also see the via calculator.

ANSI PCB Trace Width Calculator - This page calculates approximations to the ANSI/IPC-D-275 and IPC-2221 design standards for PCB trace width. The approximations and rationale are described in Temperature Rise in PCB Traces

PCB Design Information - Some useful information for designing general-use printed circuit boards.
- PCB Environment
- PCB Base Material
- Trace Width Calculator
- Trace Spacing


 

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Making your own PCB's at Home

Feb 11, 2009 · 0 Comments

Here's the way for making your own circuit boards at home. Just convert the article's schematic to a board, buy the parts and put it together. Just a few steps short of a pre-kitted project.

The steps for Making your own PCB's at Home:
Preliminary Stuff

While making PCB's at home isn't particularly difficult, it's not a trivial undertaking. You need to acquire some kind of PCB layout program, and build or buy some specialized equipment. There's also a bit of a learning curve to it, especially the PCB layout tool. There's nothing stopping you from using resist-pen, or even a simple computer paint program to define the traces. The downside is that this will limit you on the complexity of the circuit you can lay out, and make it harder to incorporate changes down the line.


PCB Layout Software

There's really no point in using the etch resist pen or paint program because a commercial-quality layout tool can be had for free. It's called EAGLE PCB, put out by CadSoft. You can download for free either a Linux or Windoze version of this layout tool, whose only limitation is a maximum of one schematic page and about a 2.5x4" PCB size. This is more than enough for most hobby/ham projects, and if you need more than that, the registered version cost is very reasonable. I run the Linux version and am very happy with it. Plan on spending a few (or more) evenings getting to understand the interface and component libraries, and you will see this is a much better solution than etch markers or paint programs.


Equipment Procurement

Depending on how resourceful you are, you can spend a little or a lot on etching equipment. I wimped out and bought most of my equipment but it wasn't hard to justify after seeing the results. I'm using what's known as the "toner transfer method", where you print your board layout onto a special paper using a laser printer, then "re-fuse" the toner onto a blank copper board using a laminating machine. Then you soak the paper off, leaving the toner behind. The etchant can't eat through the toner, so any copper covered with toner remains behind as circuit traces or component pads. Seems simple, and it is. But there are a few gotchas that will make or break the success of this process, so save yourself the grief that I went through and follow along below as we go through the process of making a board.


Making your own PCB's at Home, K5XLP

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PCB Prototypes

Jan 5, 2009 · 0 Comments

A PCB is the acronym for Printed Circuit Boards, which are cards or circuit boards that are composed of a very thin flat metal or hard plastic-type board called an insulator. It is upon this that computer silicon chips and other similar electronic components are mounted. These PCBs are then used in electronic appliances like televisions, computers, washing machines, digital cameras, and so forth.

A prototype can be considered the first working model of an invention. So in this case, a PCB prototype is the first circuit board that is invented for a new electronic device. By using this PCB prototype in the electronic device, the inventor can see if the prototype serves its purpose in the invention. Once the electronic device is made to function with the PCB prototype, any mistakes that take place can be rectified in the prototype. In this way, the PCB prototype saves the inventor of the electronic appliance lots of money, as any mistakes that may be present in the PCB will be pinpointed before the actual commercial manufacture of the PCB.

Without having a PCB prototype, the model of a new invention will be of no use if its PCB is not in good condition and up to requirements. Electronic appliances are getting more and more technologically advanced by the day. This advancement is done through changes on a PCB prototype, which is then tried on the appliance to see if the advancement is in right order. Using different materials of the PCB also account for changes in the PCB prototype. You can use fiberglass, Teflon or cross-linked polystyrene for the PCB, and it is through the PCB prototype that you find out which PCB material best fits your PCB. Nowadays, new PCBs are in use in electronic appliances, thanks to the PCB prototypes.

See More: Make a Printed Circuit Board - Manual Method

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Make a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

Jul 23, 2008 · 0 Comments

Many people ask me for PCB to my projects. I don't give out PCB because of two reasons.

  1. I reuse components and most likely you will find components but NOT with the same shape.
  2. Learn how to make PCB and you will be able to develop your own projects.

Some people like hole mounted components and some like surface mounted components.Some day you want to stand on your own legs, so I will explain how easy it is to make your own boards right home in your kitchen. Make sure your wife is out shopping or something.

Measuring the components
I often reuse components I find in VCR, cordless phones and so. I use a measuring tool to measure the size of the components.

Design of the board layout using CAM350
There are many drawing program you can use for PCB and you can fin many free programs on the internet.
I have found a software called CAM350. It is not a complete development tool, it is just a basic drawing tool where you can draw lines, circles, square and make a component library yourself.

Download windows software
cam350.zip (3.37Mb)

If you are rich you can buy advanced PCB software with autoroute and all. I like surface mounted components because they are smaller and you don't have to drill holes..lazy me!


Printing the negative plastic film
When the design is ready I just print it out on a laser printer. I use transparent plastic film. The dark area will be cooper and the transparent area will be spacing. I always print out two films and tape them on top of each other.

In this way the dark area will be really black so no UV light can pass later. You must be accurate when you place the two films on top of each other. A small shift will give blurry lines of the board. I place the films against a window, since a window is flat and you can see the light come through the films.

When It looks good I place tape at three sides to fix the two films together.

Glasses and weights
At the bottom I have a glass so the board will lay on a flat surface. (difficult to see) You can use any ordinary glass. Enough UV will still pass through the glass.  Then comes the board. On to the board are the two films and finally on top of that I have placed another glass.

(Difficult to see in this figure, but there is two glasses and between them is the board and film.)

To the left and right you can find two weights. I have placed them there to press on the glasses so the film will be close to the board.

This is important because if you don't have glasses pressing the film, you can easy get a small space between the film and the board and that will make the lines blurry!

Preparing the UV lamp
The PCB I use have been pre-sprayed with a UV sensitive layer of color.I went to a second hand store and found an old UV-light from the 70:th used for sun tanning. This lamp gives UV-A, B,C and I think even some X-RAY.I am sure any UV lamp will do the job for you. The photo show you how I have placed the lamp in my kitchen.Under the lamp is the bottom glass I told you before.The light is really strong and I recommend sunglasses because UV light can damage your eyes.

Exposing/developing the board
Here I have placed the board with the 2 glasses under the UV-lamp. Areas of the PCB exposed to the UV light (through the film) are turned into a protective plastic film. I have experimented with different timing and I have noticed that 3-4 minutes will give good results.If you overexpose the board, the light will penetrate the black area and give bad results. Don't touch the board during the exposing.

After 3-4 minutes I turn off the UV-lamp and remove the board to let it cool down.It needs to cool down because it is quit hot (30-40 degree Celcius) and if you put a hot board into the developing liquid (water solution of NaOH) the reaction will got to fast and you loose the lines. So, let the board cool down (shake it) and then put into the developing liquid.

When you buy the NaOH powder, you can read the label how much mixing water you need. If you think the developing reaction goes to slow (not at all) try to warm the solution just a little. Also here you need to experiment a bit.

When I mix the NaOH I get about 2 litre. Then I use some "dummy" boards to test the solution. When you test the "dummy" boards make sure you expose it to UV light as it would be a real board. During the developing phase you will see the pattern from the films grow on the board. For me the developing phase takes about 1-2 minute then I shower the board with fresh water to remove NaOH remains.

Etch the board
There are several different solution used for etching. I advice you to buy a etch kit with powder. The etching process will be fastest when the solution is warm. I put the board into a plastic jar filled with etch solution.
I then put the jar into a pan with water. I warm the pan on the stove until the water almost boils. The heat will transfer into the jar and the etching process will work great. I move (shake) the jar to speed up the etching time.

The etching time is about 5-10 minutes.

Finished board
Here you can see the finished circuit boards with edges and lines sharp as razorblade. All you need to do now is to clean the board with Acetone to remove the protective plastic film.

Final word
A good board will improve the quality of your projects, Specially if you are into RF homebrewing. Now you know how to make PCB of your own. You need to buy some stuff, but I assure you the result will be great!
Click here to see photo and read how to solder SOIC and smd components.

Many people has written to me and asked about the UV lamp. I advice you to go to a electronic shop and ask for UV light (tube) and they will help you. This is what Rafael Santos from Portugal did and I want to show his great UV-box.

Rafael say "They told me that the lamp TL 05 is great to do PCB's , this lamp is used in stores to kill fly's, they go against the lamp and bzzz....." Watch and enjoy...*smiling*  I think his work will inspire all of you to build your own UV box.

You can always mail me if there is anything unclear. I wish you good luck with your projects and thanks for visit my page.

Make a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

See more: Make a Printed Circuit Board - Manual Method

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