The PCB manufacturing process involves designing, printing, etching, and finishing a copper-clad board. CAD software is often used for design to reduce errors. Patterning creates a stencil layout on the board, which is then etched with acid and neutralized before drilling for components.
The circuit board manufacturing process allows you to create complex electronic circuits using a fairly simple technique. The process is sometimes called PCB manufacturing and includes four main steps. These steps include designing the circuit board and then printing, etching and finishing the copper clad circuit board.
The design process in circuit board manufacturing may be done manually, but in manufacturing scenarios it is more likely to be accomplished using some form of CAD software to place components in a logical order. The advantage of using the software in the circuit design phase lies in the fact that errors and omissions are easily detectable and corrected by the designer. In some CAD software, the program can detect design errors and offer suggestions. By eliminating design errors during this process, the chances of creating a malfunctioning circuit are greatly reduced.
After the design stage is complete, the circuit is printed onto the copper clad circuit board in a process called patterning. In essence, patterning creates a stencil layout on the surface of the board. The ink used to create this stencil layout is resistant to the corrosive solutions used to etch the board. Once printed, the areas of the circuit covered by the ink will not be affected by the action of the etchant solution. There is a caveat to this statement, however. If a circuit board is left in the solution for an extended period of time, the corrosive acid can eat away at the sides of the protected areas creating what is called a thin track.
The next step in the circuit board manufacturing process is etching. The printed carton is dipped in an etching solution, which is usually composed of muriatic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The acid dissolves the unprotected copper leaving only the circuit board intact. The lines of this printed circuit material are called traces.
The circuit board manufacturing process is finished by washing the board in a neutralizing water bath to remove any traces of etchant that may remain. The board is then drilled in the appropriate places to receive components, such as resistors, transistors and diodes. In some cases, circuit boards are left undrilled for later use. This is common among hobeelectric shops that use the circuit board manufacturing process to create and sell kits to electronics enthusiasts.
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