Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!uunet!wupost!darwin.sura.net!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!umn.edu!staff.tc.umn.edu!rogers
From: rogers@staff.tc.umn.edu ()
Subject: Re: why should you work? (lousy subject)
Message-ID: <C92458.1y7@news.cis.umn.edu>
Summary: How to etch/make PC boards
Sender: news@news.cis.umn.edu (Usenet News Administration)
Nntp-Posting-Host: staff.tc.umn.edu
Organization: University of Minnesota
References: <20889dINNeo0@dns1.NMSU.Edu>
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1993 04:21:05 GMT
Lines: 43

In article <20889dINNeo0@dns1.NMSU.Edu> mhinkle@dante.nmsu.edu (HINKLE) writes:
...
...
>Now, I can wirewrap the relay board but the car's circuitry needs to be
>more permanent. Is there any quick, cheap and easy way to etch a board? In
>addition to this, what is the best way to go from circuit schematic to
>double sided pc board layout? I am a student so if possible, help keep the
>cost to a minimum. Any other comments, suggestions, critiques or job
>offers are welcome.
>
>Sorry it took so long to get to this point but I just had to brag. In
>spite of all the difficulties and delays, all is going well.
>
>If you wish to email------> mhinkle@nmsu.edu
>
>mark.
>
>ps. don't forget the pulldown resistor on the 5089's output.



I have built some prototype switching supplys and the preferred method
is to take a blank single (or double) sided PC board bought at Radio Shack
(or wherever) and using a dremel tool to grind away the copper where you
don't want it.   This works good for a switching supply because you want
large areas of copper for heat disappation and low inductance paths.
I understand that stray inductances can really make a switcher goofy.

I did the layout by hand on a piece of paper, and had to grind out a 
mirror image of my circuit on the other side (had to buy double sided
because they were out of single sided).  The circuit worked very well
and I am going to use it as the basis for a varible voltage supply for
a servo motor in my robot project.

You could also draw out the circuit using a photoresist pen or tape it out
and then etch away the copper, but doing that by hand is a royal pain in the
butt and grinding away the copper is much easier.



-- 
Brynn
        rogers@staff.tc.umn.edu    Varitronic Systems
