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pcb-basics [2020/03/31 11:02] – benh | pcb-basics [2021/01/23 20:37] (current) – Added glossary definitions madeline | ||
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- | **What is a PCB?**\\ | + | **When do I need a PCB?**\\ |
- | A PCB (//printed circuit board//, or just a “board”), is a physical method by which circuit | + | {{ : |
- | {{http:// | + | If you don't have time to design and manufacture a PCB, you may want to consider using a perfboard. A perfboard is a rectangular sheet covered in a grid of through holes that can be used for soldering. Holes are connected by either running a wire between them or by making a solder bridge. Many also include pads on the side for surface mount components. Perfboards are more durable than breadboards and can save time when only one or two designs are needed. However, they are not recommended for circuits that are complicated or need to be replicated many times. |
- | multi-layered substrate specially designed and fabricated for circuit designers to eliminate wiring and mechanically support their components. | + | The rest of this article focuses on PCBs. If you are not sure which method for implementing your circuit design is best for your project, you can talk to a PI about the advantages and disadvantages of different methods. Keep in mind that for most projects, you will use multiple implementation methods as you develop your design. |
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+ | **What is a PCB?**\\ | ||
+ | A PCB is a multi-layered substrate specially designed and fabricated for circuit designers to eliminate wiring and mechanically support their components. | ||
+ | * // | ||
+ | * //Designed and fabricated - // The first step in making a PCB is to design it using CAD (computer-aided design) software. Popular CAD tools include Eagle, Kicad, and Altera. The next step is to physically create the PCB, referred to as fabrication. | ||
+ | * //Eliminate wiring - // While the copper layers are electrically conductive, | ||
+ | * // | ||
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+ | Traces on different copper layers can be connected by adding //vias//, which are holes drilled into the board and filled with a conductive | ||
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**How do I make a PCB? | **How do I make a PCB? | ||
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- Design: Typically, one starts by developing a circuit, which may include simulations and/or prototyping on breadboard. The design of the board itself is then done on the computer using electronic computer-aided design (e-CAD) programs, such as KiCAD, EAGLE, or Altium, though there are many others. | - Design: Typically, one starts by developing a circuit, which may include simulations and/or prototyping on breadboard. The design of the board itself is then done on the computer using electronic computer-aided design (e-CAD) programs, such as KiCAD, EAGLE, or Altium, though there are many others. | ||
- | - Fabrication: | + | - Fabrication: |
- Assembly: the process of actually adding the components to the fabricated PCB. At The Hive, we have soldering stations to facilitate this, as well as solder paste and a reflow oven if you'd prefer. We can also make solder paste stencils. | - Assembly: the process of actually adding the components to the fabricated PCB. At The Hive, we have soldering stations to facilitate this, as well as solder paste and a reflow oven if you'd prefer. We can also make solder paste stencils. | ||
** Glossary **\\ | ** Glossary **\\ | ||
- | Trace\\ | + | // |
- | Via\\ | + | //CAD// - __c__omputer __a__ided __d__esign; refers to any software used for design (SolidWords, |
- | Pitch\\ | + | //Etch// - selectively removing copper to leave behind a conductive pathway in a specific shape\\ |
- | Mil\\ | + | //Isolate// - electrically separating (isolating) two areas of copper, usually by etching\\ |
- | Etch\\ | + | //Trace// - the copper path left behind after etching; traces function like wires\\ |
- | Electroplate\\ | + | // |
- | Route (cut vs route traces)\\ | + | //Via// - a small, copper-filled hole drilled through a PCB which connects two or more layers\\ |
+ | // | ||
+ | //Stackup// - a layered PCB design\\ | ||
+ | // | ||
+ | // | ||
+ | //Pitch// - the distance between the centers of two features, often the distance between the centers of two holes\\ | ||
+ | //Drill hit// - another name for a drill hole\\ | ||
+ | //Mil// - one-thousandth of an inch, a common imperial unit for small-scale designs\\ | ||
+ | //Route// - a cutting process that removes the fabricated PCB from the rest of the substrate\\ |