how-to-pcb

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how-to-pcb [2020/03/12 16:59] – 143.215.93.31how-to-pcb [2020/03/13 11:53] – 143.215.93.31
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 === Table of Contents === === Table of Contents ===
-  - Basics+  - Introduction 
 +    * Will the PIs at the Hive make a board for me? 
 +    * What’s the process for getting trained? 
 +    * What is SUMS? 
 +    * How do I join a training session OR request a new one?
   - Training Sessions   - Training Sessions
 +    * What should I expect out of a training session?
 +    * Do I have to have any prior knowledge before coming to a training session?
 +    * How do I register for a training session?
 +    * I don’t see any training sessions available. Can I request one?
 +    * Are training sessions really 2-3 hours? Can I come late or leave early?
   - Quiz and Checkoffs   - Quiz and Checkoffs
 +    * What should I expect for the quiz?
 +    * What should I expect at a checkoff?
 +    * I don’t see the quiz! Where is it?
 +    * How do I schedule a checkoff?
 +    * I didn’t get a checkoff scheduled and all of my requested dates have passed. What now?
 +    * What if I don’t successfully complete the checkoff?
 +    * Can I bring my own design to fabricate instead of the training board for my checkoff?
   - Fabrication   - Fabrication
 +    * Process specifications 
 +    * Can I add soldermask or silkscreen?
 +    * Is there a recommended DRC/CAM file I can use?
 +    * Do I have to be with my board during the entire fabrication process?
 +    * How long does it take to make a board?
 +    * How long does electroplating take?
 +    * Can I somehow reserve time on the equipment?
 +    * Do the tools have additional capabilities?
  
 ----- -----
  
-=== Basics === +=== Introduction === 
  
 **Will the PIs at the Hive make a board for me?**\\ **Will the PIs at the Hive make a board for me?**\\
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 ----- -----
 === Training Sessions === === Training Sessions ===
 +
 **What should I expect out of a training session?**\\ **What should I expect out of a training session?**\\
 Training sessions cover the fabrication process of a basic 2-layer copper circuit board using the PCB plotter and PCB laser, as well as a discussion of the electroplating process for vias. Training sessions do not address board design or layout. For questions regarding design, find one of our PCB MPIs. Training sessions cover the fabrication process of a basic 2-layer copper circuit board using the PCB plotter and PCB laser, as well as a discussion of the electroplating process for vias. Training sessions do not address board design or layout. For questions regarding design, find one of our PCB MPIs.
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 ---- ----
 ===Fabrication=== ===Fabrication===
 +
 +** Process specifications **\\
 +The Hive's PCB fabrication tool suite has the following capabilites:
 +  * //Substrates:// FR4, Rogers materials, polyamide, among many others.
 +  * //Copper thickness/weight:// No limit, other than processing time.
 +  * //Trace width (minimum):// 2 mil (0.05 mm)
 +  * //Trace pitch (minimum):// 1 mil (0.025 mm)
 +  * //Drill holes (minimum diameter):// 6 mil (0.15 mm) 
 +  * //Slot:// yes, use overlapping drill hits
 +  * //Plating:// yes, standard processing time of 3 hours will plate approximately 12.6 um of copper
 +
 +** Can I add soldermask or silkscreen? **\\
 +We have the capability to apply soldermask and silkscreen, though we //do not// recommend attempting this process - it's time-consuming, UV- and temperature-sensitive, and unnecessary to a complete circuit board. If you need soldermask or silkscreen, consider sending your design to a professional fabrication facility. 
 +
 +For those who would like to attempt this, instructions are available on our [[pcb-mask-silkscreen-SOP| mask and silkscreen]] page, as well as in the "Manuals/Instructions" drawer next to the tools themselves. 
 +
 +**Is there a recommended DRC/CAM file I can use?**\\
 +Yes! 
 +  - [[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YITdTXkcW3ROWZprw-xxPsB8okc73yqF|DRC]]
 +  - [[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WzzpPwXMDUg5DD4iUzenZINrzRG0kSn4|CAM]]
  
 **Do I have to be with my board during the entire fabrication process?**\\ **Do I have to be with my board during the entire fabrication process?**\\
 Yes! You must be present for the entire process. This is for safety reasons. PIs have the authority to cancel any unattended boards. You may, however, leave the space //if and only if// you leave a note with a phone number and accept the possibility that something may happen to your product while you're gone (because PIs are not watching your process).  Yes! You must be present for the entire process. This is for safety reasons. PIs have the authority to cancel any unattended boards. You may, however, leave the space //if and only if// you leave a note with a phone number and accept the possibility that something may happen to your product while you're gone (because PIs are not watching your process). 
 +
 +**How long does it take to make a board?**\\
 +It depends on the size and layout of your board. A small board with no electroplating (i.e. no vias) can easily be made in under an hour, while a very large board with lots of copper removed can take over 4 hours not including electroplating.
 +
 +**How long does electroplating take?**\\
 +Between 2 and 3 hours, regardless of board size. This will plate between 8-15 um of copper onto your surfaces. Less than this processing time can cause unreliable vias with variable thickness of the plating. 
  
 **Can I somehow reserve time on the equipment?**\\ **Can I somehow reserve time on the equipment?**\\
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 //Reservations are limited to the following:// //Reservations are limited to the following://
-Non-PIs (i.e. those who are not volunteers at The Hive) may schedule a maximum of 4 hour block per tool per day during The Hive’s open hours, and up to 4 days in advance. +  * Non-PIs (i.e. those who are not volunteers at The Hive) may schedule a maximum of 4 hour block per tool per day during The Hive’s open hours, and up to 4 days in advance. 
-PI’s may schedule up to 8 hours per tool per day, up to 7 days in advance. +  * PI’s may schedule up to 8 hours per tool per day, up to 7 days in advance.
- +
-**How long does it take to make a board?**\\ +
-It depends on the size and layout of your board. A small board with no electroplating (i.e. no vias) can easily be made in under an hour, while a very large board with lots of copper removed can take over 4 hours not including electroplating. +
- +
-**How long does electroplating take?**\\ +
-Between 2 and 3 hours, regardless of board size. This will plate between 8-15 um of copper onto your surfaces. Less than this processing time can cause unreliable vias with variable thickness of the plating. +
  
 +** Do the tools have additional capabilities? **\\ 
 +//NOTE: The following capabilities are allowed in the spec of the tool, but we do not support these functions, meaning that our PIs and MPIs do not have experience with them, so you will be on your own if you attempt any of them!//\\
 +The ProtoMat has the capability to do aluminum and plastic 2-dimensional milling. The ProtoLaser can etch a very wide variety of substrates and films. The electroplater has the ability to do tin plating (though we don't carry the necessary solution by default). We also have the LPKF ProConduct system that enables manual electropating of individual vias for RF PCBs (proceed with caution here). 
  • how-to-pcb.txt
  • Last modified: 2021/01/11 14:04
  • by benh