making PCB

mario · May 10, 2004

OK people, just to let you know...

.... I'm a Aerospace Engineering student and, as you may imagine, not really
at home with home made electronics. But currently I'm working on this
project and I *need* to learn how to make PCBs. Basically I'm making Luxeon
LED inspection flashlight and PCB is the best (if not only) solution for
placing LEDs. I need help with this. I found loads of materials on-line but
what I really need is an advice from someone who knows what is the best way,
best parts, bets brands... whatever which can help me finish this project
swiftly & with style. I'm short on time.

Of course, I could ask someone from nearby Electronics Faculty to make them
for me but - I actually want to learn.

Thanks in advance.

mario

Roy Battell · May 10, 2004

In article <c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr>, mario <mario.franceski@fsb.hr>
writes

OK people, just to let you know...

... I'm a Aerospace Engineering student and, as you may imagine, not really
at home with home made electronics. But currently I'm working on this
project and I *need* to learn how to make PCBs. Basically I'm making Luxeon
LED inspection flashlight and PCB is the best (if not only) solution for
placing LEDs. I need help with this. I found loads of materials on-line but
what I really need is an advice from someone who knows what is the best way,
best parts, bets brands... whatever which can help me finish this project
swiftly & with style. I'm short on time.

Of course, I could ask someone from nearby Electronics Faculty to make them
for me but - I actually want to learn.

Thanks in advance.

mario

If you want results quickly for a one (or few) off on such an

apparently simple circuit look for Stripboard (aka Veroboard)
which is pre-drilled laminate with copper strips you can cut
and links as required. Perfectly reliable results are possible
Making home-brew PCBS is really rather tricky and will require
some trial and error you may not have time for.
--
Roy Battell.
To use this address remove the digits included to remove Spam ...
Mail: news@vutrax666.co.uk
URL: http://www.vutrax.co.uk (Vutrax CAD system, FREE up to 256 pins)
SAN 206 in the support section describes how to use it for
Stripboard for more complex designs

Pieter Hoeben · May 10, 2004

On Mon, 10 May 2004 12:39:50 +0100, Roy Battell <news@vutrax666.co.uk>
wrote:

In article <c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr>, mario <mario.franceski@fsb.hr
writes
Basically I'm making Luxeon LED inspection flashlight
If you want results quickly for a one (or few) off on such an
apparently simple circuit look for Stripboard (aka Veroboard)
which is pre-drilled laminate with copper strips you can cut
and links as required. Perfectly reliable results are possible
Making home-brew PCBS is really rather tricky and will require
some trial and error you may not have time for.

Remember that a Luxeon (Lumileds) needs cooling thorigh the PCB!

I have made Luxeon boards before. And what's more: some electronics
and software I developed are used in machines placing and soldering
those leds!

Regards,

Pieter Hoeben
http://www.hoeben.com

Bob Masta · May 10, 2004

On Mon, 10 May 2004 12:54:21 +0200, "mario" <mario.franceski@fsb.hr>
wrote:

OK people, just to let you know...

... I'm a Aerospace Engineering student and, as you may imagine, not really
at home with home made electronics. But currently I'm working on this
project and I *need* to learn how to make PCBs. Basically I'm making Luxeon
LED inspection flashlight and PCB is the best (if not only) solution for
placing LEDs. I need help with this. I found loads of materials on-line but
what I really need is an advice from someone who knows what is the best way,
best parts, bets brands... whatever which can help me finish this project
swiftly & with style. I'm short on time.

Of course, I could ask someone from nearby Electronics Faculty to make them
for me but - I actually want to learn.

Thanks in advance.

mario

For simple one-off or prototype boards, you may want to
consider hand-drawn methods. Complete details with
hints and tips at
<www.daqarta.com/lptxh.htm>

Hope this helps!

Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com

Rheilly Phoull · May 10, 2004

"Pieter Hoeben" <hoebenNOSPAM@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:hpsu9018e5k9nccfopg1bbcnqk63i0hl72@4ax.com...

On Mon, 10 May 2004 12:39:50 +0100, Roy Battell <news@vutrax666.co.uk
wrote:
In article <c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr>, mario <mario.franceski@fsb.hr
writes
Basically I'm making Luxeon LED inspection flashlight
If you want results quickly for a one (or few) off on such an
apparently simple circuit look for Stripboard (aka Veroboard)
which is pre-drilled laminate with copper strips you can cut
and links as required. Perfectly reliable results are possible
Making home-brew PCBS is really rather tricky and will require
some trial and error you may not have time for.

Remember that a Luxeon (Lumileds) needs cooling thorigh the PCB!

I have made Luxeon boards before. And what's more: some electronics
and software I developed are used in machines placing and soldering
those leds!

Regards,

Pieter Hoeben
http://www.hoeben.com

The 'Stars' need to be mounted on a heat sink or their life will be short
indeed.

--
Regards ........... Rheilly Phoull

grahamk · May 10, 2004

Rheilly Phoull wrote:

"Pieter Hoeben" <hoebenNOSPAM@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:hpsu9018e5k9nccfopg1bbcnqk63i0hl72@4ax.com...
On Mon, 10 May 2004 12:39:50 +0100, Roy Battell
news@vutrax666.co.uk> wrote:
In article <c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr>, mario
mario.franceski@fsb.hr> writes
Basically I'm making Luxeon LED inspection flashlight
If you want results quickly for a one (or few) off on such an
apparently simple circuit look for Stripboard (aka Veroboard)
which is pre-drilled laminate with copper strips you can cut
and links as required. Perfectly reliable results are possible
Making home-brew PCBS is really rather tricky and will require
some trial and error you may not have time for.

Remember that a Luxeon (Lumileds) needs cooling thorigh the PCB!

I have made Luxeon boards before. And what's more: some electronics
and software I developed are used in machines placing and soldering
those leds!

Regards,

Pieter Hoeben
http://www.hoeben.com

The 'Stars' need to be mounted on a heat sink or their life will be
short indeed.

Have a look at
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/g.knott/elect434.htm

mario · May 10, 2004

Sounds interesting... I might have laser printer(s) on my disposal. But tell
me those mylar sheets are those used for graphoscope or what? What then? The
same procedure like with UV lamp?

"Jamie" <jamie_5_not_valid_after_5_Please@charter.net> wrote in message
news:109vh1i1atb7d01@corp.supernews.com...

or!!!!!!!!!
one could if they had around an Nice heavy powered toner
laser copier that would adhier the image to mylar sheets.
using the printer in your computer you can put a reverse
lay out of your art work. copy it to a mylar sheet using a
Heavy toner laser copier.
clean the copper clad nicely and dry.
get your iron out.
lat the image toner side down on the iron and heat it just
enough to allow the toner to melt onto the clad. wait for it
to harden and slowly pull away mylar..
P.S.
make sure the copier is set for max Contrast 2 tone shad
only.
its also possible of you have a laser printer around that you can
do this directly from the computer.
in any case it use to be a nice method, something that you can
experiment with.

grahamk wrote:

Rheilly Phoull wrote:

"Pieter Hoeben" <hoebenNOSPAM@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:hpsu9018e5k9nccfopg1bbcnqk63i0hl72@4ax.com...

On Mon, 10 May 2004 12:39:50 +0100, Roy Battell
news@vutrax666.co.uk> wrote:

In article <c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr>, mario
mario.franceski@fsb.hr> writes

Basically I'm making Luxeon LED inspection flashlight

If you want results quickly for a one (or few) off on such an
apparently simple circuit look for Stripboard (aka Veroboard)
which is pre-drilled laminate with copper strips you can cut
and links as required. Perfectly reliable results are possible
Making home-brew PCBS is really rather tricky and will require
some trial and error you may not have time for.

Remember that a Luxeon (Lumileds) needs cooling thorigh the PCB!

I have made Luxeon boards before. And what's more: some electronics
and software I developed are used in machines placing and soldering
those leds!

Regards,

Pieter Hoeben
http://www.hoeben.com

The 'Stars' need to be mounted on a heat sink or their life will be
short indeed.

Have a look at
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/g.knott/elect434.htm

Jamie · May 10, 2004

or!!!!!!!!!
one could if they had around an Nice heavy powered toner
laser copier that would adhier the image to mylar sheets.
using the printer in your computer you can put a reverse
lay out of your art work. copy it to a mylar sheet using a
Heavy toner laser copier.
clean the copper clad nicely and dry.
get your iron out.
lat the image toner side down on the iron and heat it just
enough to allow the toner to melt onto the clad. wait for it
to harden and slowly pull away mylar..
P.S.
make sure the copier is set for max Contrast 2 tone shad
only.
its also possible of you have a laser printer around that you can
do this directly from the computer.
in any case it use to be a nice method, something that you can
experiment with.

grahamk wrote:

Rheilly Phoull wrote:

"Pieter Hoeben" <hoebenNOSPAM@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:hpsu9018e5k9nccfopg1bbcnqk63i0hl72@4ax.com...

On Mon, 10 May 2004 12:39:50 +0100, Roy Battell
news@vutrax666.co.uk> wrote:

In article <c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr>, mario
mario.franceski@fsb.hr> writes

Basically I'm making Luxeon LED inspection flashlight

If you want results quickly for a one (or few) off on such an
apparently simple circuit look for Stripboard (aka Veroboard)
which is pre-drilled laminate with copper strips you can cut
and links as required. Perfectly reliable results are possible
Making home-brew PCBS is really rather tricky and will require
some trial and error you may not have time for.

Remember that a Luxeon (Lumileds) needs cooling thorigh the PCB!

I have made Luxeon boards before. And what's more: some electronics
and software I developed are used in machines placing and soldering
those leds!

Regards,

Pieter Hoeben
http://www.hoeben.com

The 'Stars' need to be mounted on a heat sink or their life will be
short indeed.

Have a look at
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/g.knott/elect434.htm

Rich Grise · May 11, 2004

"mario" <mario.franceski@fsb.hr> wrote in message
news:c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr...

OK people, just to let you know...

... I'm a Aerospace Engineering student and, as you may imagine, not
really
at home with home made electronics. But currently I'm working on this
project and I *need* to learn how to make PCBs. Basically I'm making
Luxeon
LED inspection flashlight and PCB is the best (if not only) solution for
placing LEDs. I need help with this. I found loads of materials on-line
but
what I really need is an advice from someone who knows what is the best
way,
best parts, bets brands... whatever which can help me finish this project
swiftly & with style. I'm short on time.

Of course, I could ask someone from nearby Electronics Faculty to make
them
for me but - I actually want to learn.

Just some unsolicited advice: if you try to "learn how to make PCBs" AND
"finish
this project swiftly & with style" simultaneously, you'll end up doing
neither.
Allocate some time & materials for training, and buy a flashlight.

Good Luck!
Rich

Joey · May 11, 2004

If you want to make a custom board fairly easily, radio shack has a
kit with a copper plated board, a bottle of mild etching fluid and a
acid resistant marker. You just draw the printed circuit on the board
and soak it in the fluid for about a half an hour and all of the
copper plating that wasn't drawn on dissappears from the plate. Finish
by drilling holes for your components with a dremel and small drill
bit.

CWatters · May 11, 2004

"mario" <mario.franceski@fsb.hr> wrote in message
news:c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr...

OK people, just to let you know...

... I'm a Aerospace Engineering student and, as you may imagine, not
really
at home with home made electronics. But currently I'm working on this
project and I *need* to learn how to make PCBs.

Sometimes if you just want a simple copper only PCB it's cheap to get it
made for you...

http://www.pcb-pool.com/uk_index.htm

http://www.4pcb.com/index.asp

http://www.expresspcb.com/index.htm

http://www.pcbtrain.com/

....although most will also do solder resist and silk screening if you pay
more. Some places do a good deal on a fixed board size (eg Eurocard) if you
want a few smaller boards it can pay to replicate the artwork until you
reach that size (like a sheet of postage stamps). Then cut them up yourself
when they come back.

Colin

mario · May 11, 2004

Thanks for the advices, I appreciate it.

The drawing for three LEDs on small pcb, including the 'maximum
metallization' principle recommended by Lumileds, is fairly easy to make and
accomplish. I read the info you sent me and contacted local distributors
including RS and Conrad (pity there's no Radio Shack here... slightly
disappointed by Conrad though) and I'm sure I could do it after some trail
and error. I am after all (theoretically) capable of designing fifth
generation strike fighter... OK, that was a bad joke.

Anywayz, the new problem arose after I checked Luxeon Emitter thermal
considerations PDF... darn thing has to be made on MCPCB. Yes, *thee* Metal
Core PCB. As some of you who have experience with Luxeon LEDs noticed, they
have to be cooled through cathode, and they have to be on MCPCB. What about
that? Where do I get MCPCB? Another thing is how do I make drawings on it
since using ferric chloride etchant is out of question? That thing would
completely destroy aluminum layer on the back of the board. Any ideas?

OK... I know, I thought about it and asked my self is it worth the trouble.
The answer is probably one big fat NO. But the thing is that actually
designing the darn lamp would be a success for me. I don't want to bother
you with the details but this project has commercial dimension and I am the
only one in the competition who started with LEDs. If I do it, I might even
earn some money, plus showing the guys who's the daddy. That's why I'm going
to push this thing until I run out of options.

Again, thank you guys, you helped me a lot. If you have any thoughts on
MCPCB I appreciate it.

Cheers!!

mario

"CWatters" <colin.watters@pandoraBOX.be> wrote in message
news:YN8oc.102978$786.6265945@phobos.telenet-ops.be...

"mario" <mario.franceski@fsb.hr> wrote in message
news:c7nn2q$tjn$1@bagan.srce.hr...
OK people, just to let you know...

... I'm a Aerospace Engineering student and, as you may imagine, not
really
at home with home made electronics. But currently I'm working on this
project and I *need* to learn how to make PCBs.

Sometimes if you just want a simple copper only PCB it's cheap to get it
made for you...

http://www.pcb-pool.com/uk_index.htm

http://www.4pcb.com/index.asp

http://www.expresspcb.com/index.htm

http://www.pcbtrain.com/

...although most will also do solder resist and silk screening if you pay
more. Some places do a good deal on a fixed board size (eg Eurocard) if
you
want a few smaller boards it can pay to replicate the artwork until you
reach that size (like a sheet of postage stamps). Then cut them up
yourself
when they come back.

Colin

CWatters · May 12, 2004

"mario" <mario.franceski@fsb.hr> wrote in message
news:c7rgqa$tcb$1@bagan.srce.hr...

Where do I get MCPCB?

Well if you could design a regular 4 layer PCB and use the inner layers as
the heatsink. If you can't afford professional processing costs perhaps you
could make your own multi layer board by gluing two double sided boards
together after etching (ok there is more to it than that but you get the
general idea).

N. Thornton · May 14, 2004

"mario" <mario.franceski@fsb.hr> wrote in message news:<c7rgqa$tcb$1@bagan.srce.hr>...

The drawing for three LEDs on small pcb, including the 'maximum
metallization' principle recommended by Lumileds,

Anywayz, the new problem arose after I checked Luxeon Emitter thermal
considerations PDF... darn thing has to be made on MCPCB. Yes, *thee* Metal
Core PCB.

If you want heatsinking how about using ordinary DS PCB and putting
solder onto the thin copper?

Regards, NT

Dan Fraser · May 17, 2004

Anyone out there in the LA area? I have several 3' x 4' sheets of 1/32"
thick single sided epoxy coppperclad with 2 oz copper I would sell cheap.

dmfraser@sbcglobal.net

Dan

R. Steve Walz · May 17, 2004

Dan Fraser wrote:

Anyone out there in the LA area? I have several 3' x 4' sheets of 1/32"
thick single sided epoxy coppperclad with 2 oz copper I would sell cheap.

dmfraser@sbcglobal.net

Dan
--------------------

How much do you want for it? 3 feet by 4 feet??
Nice.

I'm in Santa Cruz.
-Steve
--
-Steve Walz rstevew@armory.com ftp://ftp.armory.com/pub/user/rstevew
Electronics Site!! 1000's of Files and Dirs!! With Schematics Galore!!
http://www.armory.com/~rstevew or http://www.armory.com/~rstevew/Public

making PCB

mario

Guest

Roy Battell

Guest

Pieter Hoeben

Guest

Bob Masta

Guest

Rheilly Phoull

Guest

grahamk

Guest

mario

Guest

Jamie

Guest

Rich Grise

Guest

Joey

Guest

CWatters

Guest

mario

Guest

CWatters

Guest

N. Thornton

Guest

Dan Fraser

Guest

R. Steve Walz

Guest

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Online statistics

Forum statistics

making PCB

mario

Guest

Roy Battell

Guest

Pieter Hoeben

Guest

Bob Masta

Guest

Rheilly Phoull

Guest

grahamk

Guest

mario

Guest

Jamie

Guest

Rich Grise

Guest

Joey

Guest

CWatters

Guest

mario

Guest

CWatters

Guest

N. Thornton

Guest

Dan Fraser

Guest

R. Steve Walz

Guest

Log in

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor