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pcb-training [2021/01/18 14:27] – madelinepcb-training [2024/03/28 09:28] (current) – benh
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 ==== How to get PCB trained ==== ==== How to get PCB trained ====
 +
 +**//We are no longer requiring training for the ProtoMat or ProtoLaser.//** A detailed guidebook for how to fabricate PCBs using the two tools is located at the ProtoMat. Stencil fabrication information can be found in the guidebook at the ProtoLaser.
 +
 +** Training is still required for the electroplater!** Training details can be found below.
 +
 +The information below is kept to inform users about Electroplater training (which follows the same process as before: video -> quiz -> checkoff) and, for posterity, has not been edited.
 +
 +And now back to our regularly scheduled programming...
 +
 +----
  
 === Table of Contents === === Table of Contents ===
 +  - TL;DR
   - Basics   - Basics
     * Will the PIs at the Hive make a board for me?     * Will the PIs at the Hive make a board for me?
     * What’s the process for getting trained?     * What’s the process for getting trained?
 +    * What about the electroplater?
     * What is SUMS?     * What is SUMS?
     * Ugh, this sounds like way more work and time than I'm willing to dedicate to this. Do you have any recommendations for professional fabrication houses?     * Ugh, this sounds like way more work and time than I'm willing to dedicate to this. Do you have any recommendations for professional fabrication houses?
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     * Can I bring my own design to fabricate instead of the training board for my checkoff?     * Can I bring my own design to fabricate instead of the training board for my checkoff?
 ----- -----
 +=== TL;DR ===
 +The Hive is home to a suite of equipment that enable our users to fabricated PCBs without much manual work. Once trained, users have access to these tools and all the materials we have as long as the space is available. Training is handled through SUMS, and is done in three steps:
  
-=== Introduction === +  - Training videos - watch them all on your own time and at your own pace. 
 +  - Quiz - ten questions, get nine to proceed. 
 +  - Checkoff - show off what you've learned by fabricating the board from the training videos in a one-on-one session with a trainer. Complete it in two hours, and the tools are your for the using. 
 + 
 +Training is completed for the electroplater //separately// from the ProtoMat and the ProtoLaser, which are done together. Both training sequences follow the same basic steps. 
 + 
 +Read on for more details about this process, or [[https://www.sums.gatech.edu/SUMS_React/View_Equipment_React?DepartmentId=87&ToolId=1998|head directly to SUMS]] to get started. 
 + 
 +Have no idea what SUMS is? See "What is SUMS?" under the "Basics" section. 
 + 
 +----- 
 +=== Basics === 
  
 **Will the PIs at the Hive make a board for me?**\\ **Will the PIs at the Hive make a board for me?**\\
-No, even better: we’ll train you! That’s right, watch two videos and demonstrate that you watched them to gain the ability to make as many PCBs as you want for free! What a great deal, what a time to be alive. Only making one board? It can take several tries to get it right. In other words, if you think you only need one board done, you might actually need two (or more - how often is a design perfect the first time?)! +No, even better: we’ll train you! That’s right, watch a few videos and demonstrate that you watched them to gain the ability to make as many PCBs as you want for free! What a great deal, what a time to be alive. Only making one board? It can take several tries to get it right. In other words, if you think you only need one board done, you might actually need two (or more - how often is a design perfect the first time?)! 
  
  
 **What’s the process for getting trained?**\\ **What’s the process for getting trained?**\\
 Training is a three step process that is handled through SUMS.  Training is a three step process that is handled through SUMS. 
-  - Watch both training videos. No time or replay limits here, so feel free to get comfortable with the process. Read through the Wiki too, if you'd like.+  - Watch the training videos. No time or replay limits here, so feel free to get comfortable with the process. Read through the Wiki too, if you'd like.
   - Pass the 10 question quiz.   - Pass the 10 question quiz.
   - Successfully fabricate our training board under the guidance of a PCB trainer during a Checkoff.    - Successfully fabricate our training board under the guidance of a PCB trainer during a Checkoff. 
  
 +** What about the electroplater? **\\
 +We used to do the electroplater training during the combined training, but we discovered that most users never used the plater, and most users didn't care. So we've separated the electroplating training off into a separate training sequence that comprises a single video, quiz, and checkoff, and allowed us to significantly reduce the training time for the ProtoMat and ProtoLaser. If you're interested in getting training on the electroplater, you can head on over to SUMS and locate the training requirements for the tool (LPKF Contact S4 electroplater) to get started.
  
 ** What is SUMS? **\\ ** What is SUMS? **\\
-If "SUMS" makes you think of arithmetic, have no fear. SUMS (Shared User Management System) is a user access control system made here at Tech that The Hive uses to control access to some of the more sensitive or complicated tools. For PCB fabrication, it is also used to manage training and checkoff sessions, and users can schedule time on the tools through it, as well. You can get many more details in our [[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XLLOS43sQd6rzWll8cAxkvRiArmIGGvpcC-y9uXCOek|SUMS Guide]].+If "SUMS" makes you think of arithmetic, have no fear. SUMS (Shared User Management System) is a user access control system made here at Tech that The Hive uses to control access to some of the more sensitive or complicated tools. For PCB fabrication, it is also used to manage training and checkoff sessions, and users can schedule time on the tools through it, as well. You can get many more details in our [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/ETGfA3m7Q3tCmtG0XVgAHG0Bz3-84vabxqlTRuF5spUmQw?e=w1pkT0|SUMS Guide]].
  
  
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   * [[https://4pcb.com|Advanced Circuits]] is another American-made fab facility that has a much more extensive list of capabilities than OshPark. It's more expensive, but the quality is higher, and the turn-around times can be same- or next-day, if you're willing to pay for it. They also have deals on rectangular 2- or 4-layer boards, and deals for students.   * [[https://4pcb.com|Advanced Circuits]] is another American-made fab facility that has a much more extensive list of capabilities than OshPark. It's more expensive, but the quality is higher, and the turn-around times can be same- or next-day, if you're willing to pay for it. They also have deals on rectangular 2- or 4-layer boards, and deals for students.
   * [[https://www.epectec.com/|Epec Engineered Technologies]] is the most expensive of this list, but also the highest reliability and widest range of fabrication options. If you need a 16 layer board with super-fine pitches and tolerances and varying copper weights for the internal stack with specialized prepreg, and you need 1000 pieces assembled tomorrow, these are your people. (Okay, that's an exaggeration, but seriously, for non-standard work, or precision standard work, Epec is great.)   * [[https://www.epectec.com/|Epec Engineered Technologies]] is the most expensive of this list, but also the highest reliability and widest range of fabrication options. If you need a 16 layer board with super-fine pitches and tolerances and varying copper weights for the internal stack with specialized prepreg, and you need 1000 pieces assembled tomorrow, these are your people. (Okay, that's an exaggeration, but seriously, for non-standard work, or precision standard work, Epec is great.)
 +  * [[http://www.macrofab.com|MacroFab]] is another US-based company that PIs and users have gone to with success. They have a few really nice turnkey options if you're looking for assembly, but they do mid-scale runs more than small-scale.
  
 ----- -----
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 **Videos? What happened training sessions?**\\ **Videos? What happened training sessions?**\\
-The training sessions were a major drag on both Trainer and User time, and they were a significant deterrent to many people getting trained on the tools. The video format allows users to train at their own pace when they have time, not when we have time.+The live in-person training sessions were a major drag on both Trainer and User time, and they were a significant deterrent to many people getting trained on the tools. The video format allows users to train at their own pace when they have time, not when we have time.
  
 **What do the videos cover?**\\ **What do the videos cover?**\\
-The videos are broken into two parts (hopefully more in the future, just to shorten everything), and cover the same material as the old training sessions. Part 1 covers turning on the tools, and setting up a non-plated process on the ProtoMat. Part 2 covers etching and routing of a double-sided board, as well as the setup of a plated process, the electroplating itself, and our “single-sided no-holes” ProtoLaser-only process. Training sessions do not address board design or layout. For questions regarding design, find one of our PCB MPIs. +The standard process training videos are broken into three parts: part 1 covers process setup and drilling; part 2 covers etching with the laser; and part 3 covers routing and cleanup. These three total about an hour of time, which you can do at your leisure. The electroplater video is roughly a half hour, and comprises just a single video that covers the process setup and the electroplating. Training sessions do not address board design or layout. For questions regarding design, find one of our PCB MPIs. 
  
 **Do I have to have any prior knowledge before starting the videos?**\\ **Do I have to have any prior knowledge before starting the videos?**\\
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 **Where can I find the videos?**\\ **Where can I find the videos?**\\
-All PCB training and scheduling is all handled on SUMS. If you want to know more about SUMS, you can find in-depth information and a lot more FAQs in our [[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XLLOS43sQd6rzWll8cAxkvRiArmIGGvpcC-y9uXCOek|SUMS Guide]]. \\+All PCB training and scheduling is all handled on SUMS. If you want to know more about SUMS, you can find in-depth information and a lot more FAQs in our [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/ETGfA3m7Q3tCmtG0XVgAHG0Bz3-84vabxqlTRuF5spUmQw?e=w1pkT0|SUMS Guide]]. \\
 \\ \\
 If you have never been to The Hive before, you’ll need to join our "Billing Group" and our “Equipment Group” first: If you have never been to The Hive before, you’ll need to join our "Billing Group" and our “Equipment Group” first:
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 The videos are located on the Training Requirements page for both the plotter and laser: The videos are located on the Training Requirements page for both the plotter and laser:
   - Go to sums.gatech.edu and login (button is on the top right of the screen).   - Go to sums.gatech.edu and login (button is on the top right of the screen).
-  - On the main screen, locate "Find training requirements". Click it, click "View Training Requirements", and search for "pcb plotter" (no quotes). Select S116.PCBPlotter-01 to get to the PCB plotter's training requirements screen.+  - On the main screen, locate "Find training requirements". Click it, click "View Training Requirements", and search for "pcb plotter" (no quotes). Select S116.PCBPlotter-01 to get to the PCB plotter's training requirements screen. (If you're looking for the electroplater, search instead for "electroplater".) 
   - Click “Watch video” to begin playing. //Don’t go to YouTube to watch them!!// You will not get credit.   - Click “Watch video” to begin playing. //Don’t go to YouTube to watch them!!// You will not get credit.
     - **Take notes!** You can use any and all of your own notes for your checkoff. (Meaning no printing the guides or Wiki.)     - **Take notes!** You can use any and all of your own notes for your checkoff. (Meaning no printing the guides or Wiki.)
- 
-**I need subtitles, but you said don’t go to YouTube.**\\ 
-It’s currently a work-in-progress bug in the embedding. Sorry about that. 
  
 **Help! The videos won’t play.**\\ **Help! The videos won’t play.**\\
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 **What should I expect at a checkoff?**\\ **What should I expect at a checkoff?**\\
 The purpose of a checkoff is to demonstrate your ability to safely fabricate a board without assistance. You will be making the same board created at the training session, followed by a quick run-through of the electroplater. You can use any and all of your own notes for your checkoff. (Meaning no printing the guides or Wiki.) The purpose of a checkoff is to demonstrate your ability to safely fabricate a board without assistance. You will be making the same board created at the training session, followed by a quick run-through of the electroplater. You can use any and all of your own notes for your checkoff. (Meaning no printing the guides or Wiki.)
 +
 +For the electroplater, the checkoff will be us running through the process with a dummy board, and without actually running the timers, though we will be dunking the boards and rinsing, so no open toed shoes.
  
 **I don’t see the quiz! Where is it?**\\ **I don’t see the quiz! Where is it?**\\
 **How do I schedule a checkoff?**\\ **How do I schedule a checkoff?**\\
-The quiz and checkoff request link are both found on the Training Requirements page for the PCB Plotter on SUMS, right below where you watched the videos. To access this page:+The quiz and checkoff request link are both found on the Training Requirements page for the PCB Plotter (or the PCB Electroplater, if that's your training targer) on SUMS, right below where you watched the videos. To access this page:
   - Go to sums.gatech.edu and login (button is on the top right of the screen).   - Go to sums.gatech.edu and login (button is on the top right of the screen).
-  - On the main screen, locate "Find training requirements". Click it, click "View Training Requirements", and search for "pcb plotter" (no quotes). Select S116.PCBPlotter-01 to get to the PCB plotter's training requirements screen.+  - On the main screen, locate "Find training requirements". Click it, click "View Training Requirements", and search for "pcb plotter" (no quotes) (or "electroplater", if that's your intended tool). Select S116.PCBPlotter-01 (or S116.PCBElectroplater-01) to get to the tool's training requirements screen.
   - Scroll down to find the “Take Exam” button to take the 10 question quiz. Note that you must get 9/10 to pass. If not, you have an hour until you can re-take it.   - Scroll down to find the “Take Exam” button to take the 10 question quiz. Note that you must get 9/10 to pass. If not, you have an hour until you can re-take it.
   - Once you have passed the quiz, return to the Training Requirements screen (step 2, above). Scroll to the bottom and press, “Request new checkoff”. //Please make a selection for all five slots.// If you are available more times, add those in the notes section. More availability is better than less! **It's preferred to schedule these outside of opening hours.**   - Once you have passed the quiz, return to the Training Requirements screen (step 2, above). Scroll to the bottom and press, “Request new checkoff”. //Please make a selection for all five slots.// If you are available more times, add those in the notes section. More availability is better than less! **It's preferred to schedule these outside of opening hours.**
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 **I didn’t get a checkoff scheduled and all of my requested dates have passed. What now?**\\ **I didn’t get a checkoff scheduled and all of my requested dates have passed. What now?**\\
-Due to the large volume of checkoff requests, we are not able to schedule every checkoff on the first request. If this happens, request another one with new dates and times. Remember, more times offered by you means more opportunity for our schedules to align. //Please note that there are no checkoffs during the last week of Hive open hours.//+Due to the large volume of checkoff requests, and the fact that we're also students with lots of time commitments, we are not able to schedule every checkoff on the first request. If this happens, request another one with new dates and times. Remember, more times offered by you means more opportunity for our schedules to align. //Please note that there are no checkoffs during the last week of Hive open hours.//
  
 **What if I don’t successfully complete the checkoff?**\\ **What if I don’t successfully complete the checkoff?**\\
-Schedule another checkoff following the same procedure. It is strongly recommended that you rewatch the training videos or read up on the fabrication process with our [[https://drive.google.com/open?id=176ZKdEShIhRyrmAtxOkkLg0mS56d2DdM-HPr8YBaL6s|PCB Fabrication Guide]]. +Schedule another checkoff following the same procedure. It is strongly recommended that you rewatch the training videos or read up on the fabrication process on the Wiki on our [[pcb-fab|PCB Fabrication]] page. 
  
 **Can I bring my own design to fabricate instead of the training board for my checkoff?**\\ **Can I bring my own design to fabricate instead of the training board for my checkoff?**\\
 Probably not. It is, however, at the discretion of your trainer. If the board is small, simple, and on FR4/FR5, (i.e. very similar to the training board), then it might be fine. However, large boards can take an hour or more to etch just one side. Since most boards are larger than the training one, you will likely have to stick with the training board. It will be easier for everyone (especially if it fails), and afterwards you can simply schedule time on the tools to fabricate whatever you’d like. Probably not. It is, however, at the discretion of your trainer. If the board is small, simple, and on FR4/FR5, (i.e. very similar to the training board), then it might be fine. However, large boards can take an hour or more to etch just one side. Since most boards are larger than the training one, you will likely have to stick with the training board. It will be easier for everyone (especially if it fails), and afterwards you can simply schedule time on the tools to fabricate whatever you’d like.
  • pcb-training.1610998023.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2021/01/18 14:27
  • by madeline