Hi guys!
So i know there are a few around here that use eagle to send files to fab houses to get boards built. but what about when etching at home?
What specs to you guys use for home etching?
Trace width?
Pad Drill & Diameter?
Clearance?
etc?
regards,
Dean
Eagle Parameters for DIY Etching
- deltafred
- Opamp Operator
Dean
I have never used Eagle but can offer a bit of advice on track widths and pad sizes having fought many battles on this subject with the drawing office that routed our PCBs.
Make the tracks as wide as possible and pads as large as practical, within limits of course, your etching fluid will last longer having less copper to remove (see also *). If you need to change components, do mods or further unplanned development then the pads and tracks will withstand soldering/desoldering far better if they are bigger.
*Don't remove large areas of copper, make them a grounded area. You can cross hatch them to signify that they are grounded.
Small areas of copper etch quicker than larger ones. The etchant swirls over the edges of the mask as you agitate it resulting in a faster etch.
fred
I have never used Eagle but can offer a bit of advice on track widths and pad sizes having fought many battles on this subject with the drawing office that routed our PCBs.
Make the tracks as wide as possible and pads as large as practical, within limits of course, your etching fluid will last longer having less copper to remove (see also *). If you need to change components, do mods or further unplanned development then the pads and tracks will withstand soldering/desoldering far better if they are bigger.
*Don't remove large areas of copper, make them a grounded area. You can cross hatch them to signify that they are grounded.
Small areas of copper etch quicker than larger ones. The etchant swirls over the edges of the mask as you agitate it resulting in a faster etch.
fred
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Jeez, she's an ugly bastard, she makes my socks hurt. I hope it's no ones missus here. - Ice-9 2012
Jeez, she's an ugly bastard, she makes my socks hurt. I hope it's no ones missus here. - Ice-9 2012