PCB Production

[M.Daughtry]

I have started to dabble in creating my own printed circuit boards and I
have a question on producing them. I have created a few using the "direct
etch" method and am ready (I think) to move up to using photo-sensitive
boards.

My question is this: Should I precut my boards and use a single mask to
expose it or use a multiple mask to expose the whole board before I cut it
up?

Any insight would be appreciated. And please, be kind as I am a newbie.

 

[Leon Heller]

I have started to dabble in creating my own printed circuit boards and I
have a question on producing them. I have created a few using the "direct
etch" method and am ready (I think) to move up to using photo-sensitive
boards.

My question is this: Should I precut my boards and use a single mask to
expose it or use a multiple mask to expose the whole board before I cut it
up?

It's best to cut the board to size first. You probably only want to make one
or two at a time, anyway. If you try to expose a large board with home-made
equipment it might be difficult to get even exposure over the whole board.
Also, keeping the transparency in contact with the board over a large area
will be difficult unless you use a vacuum, as is done with professional
equipment.

Leon

 

[M.Daughtry]

Thanks for your input Leon. I was about decided to do the cut beforehand
because even though I think I have built a pretty good cutting table/guide
for doing it, there is always the human factor in cutting it. And yes, I'll
probably be doing "one offs" till I get a design that I might want to
distribute to a niche market. The current boards (6" X 9") I have, will
produce 7 ea 1 1/4" X 6" boards with 1/4" left over (which I am sure would
be taken up in the cutting process).