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| how-to-pcb [2020/03/13 11:14] – 143.215.93.31 | how-to-pcb [2020/03/13 11:53] – 143.215.93.31 | ||
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| * Process specifications | * Process specifications | ||
| * Can I add soldermask or silkscreen? | * 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? | * Do I have to be with my board during the entire fabrication process? | ||
| - | * Can I somehow reserve time on the equipment? | ||
| * How long does it take to make a board? | * How long does it take to make a board? | ||
| * How long does electroplating take? | * How long does electroplating take? | ||
| + | * Can I somehow reserve time on the equipment? | ||
| * Do the tools have additional capabilities? | * Do the tools have additional capabilities? | ||
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| 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 " | 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 " | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Is there a recommended DRC/CAM file I can use?**\\ | ||
| + | Yes! | ||
| + | - [[https:// | ||
| + | - [[https:// | ||
| **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? | ||
| Line 165: | Line 177: | ||
| * 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? | ** 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!//\\ | //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). | 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). | ||