process_2s-plate

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process_2s-plate [2021/01/14 12:49] – benhprocess_2s-plate [2022/07/15 17:47] – benh
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 This is for PCBs with traces and/or components on both sides of the board, and a need to electroplate the board (most commonly, for vias). This is for PCBs with traces and/or components on both sides of the board, and a need to electroplate the board (most commonly, for vias).
  
-**Be sure you actually NEED to electroplate before starting this!** The plating process can take in excess of three hours (depending on how closely you're watching it), and it is liable to not always work, especially due to things that are mostly out of your control. //There is an alternative!// Plating is typically avoidable by designing your vias as a standard hole with a diameter of 40 mil (1 mm). A standard 0.1” header pin can then be pushed through and soldered on both the top and bottom.+Note that as of Fall 2022, the electroplater is a separate tool that requires a separate training sequence. Please check our [[pcb-training|Training]] page for details.
  
-Before starting, make sure: +**Be sure you actually NEED to electroplate before starting this!** The plating process usually takes in excess of three hours (depending on how closely you're watching it), and is historically unreliable. Further, even if it looks like the plating quality is good, the micron-scale variability across the sheet may doom any etching attempts. //There is an alternative!// Plating is typically avoidable by designing your vias as a standard hole with a diameter of 40 mil (1 mm). A standard 0.1” header pin can then be pushed through and soldered on both the top and bottom. You can accomplish similar things with wires or other pins of different diameters.
-  * [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y6qYp7Tv8lrvHjeBfjXF7t3Xf4442x8UzIu57bmN_Nc/edit?usp=sharing|you're logged into SUMS]]; +
-  * [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tKj2HkHCQ8RM09Q0a0PphZlWCgmuA4eVphwEWvrsnhc/edit?usp=sharing|the ProtoMat and software are running]]; and +
-  * [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ni6ZMIp7A1YNk7fruk6TA6x-7CXlVUl-xI4Tt_hdHEo/edit?usp=sharing|the ProtoLaser are software are on and warming up]].+
  
-Step 1: [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z67U7quFQ2fclWWpJhwjuKuP1tThYhn1iTQfWKsAJ7Q/edit?usp=sharing|Process setup and first drilling on the ProtoMat]]+**Before starting, make sure:** 
 +  * [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/EVBq41QPV51FvAhi3I_zkAUBqOHfQh_ylA_ddHQ4ZyzPGA?e=cO0su7|you're logged into SUMS]]; 
 +  * [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/EY2LyqOt_o9Pr8JPhp6u26cBxRIilQx5lEn7qFY9cZ2SoA?e=nH5y1X|the ProtoMat and software are running]]; and 
 +  * [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/EbBDlXvWlSVItrI0YtYitGoBxD4IAhapi2-ZIFklbZFu_w?e=rjlMci|the ProtoLaser are software are on and warming up]]. 
 +  * Turn on the electroplater and let it warm up. Bath 1 needs to heat to 55C, which can take up to an hour, and which it will do in the background while the tool is not being used. 
 + 
 +**Step 1:** [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/EVU4FeAXtdBLmLRg28Gp1XkBkJj_OcnjsgNE_SWZ_LaIYg?e=r7f7YP|Process setup and first drilling on the ProtoMat]]
  
   * The ProtoMat will pause at a step called "Dismount Material".    * The ProtoMat will pause at a step called "Dismount Material". 
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   * Continue with Step 2.   * Continue with Step 2.
  
-Step 2: [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zjhNSZCHK_tCMFgd4uHIHq-y6TXKWvbJRwxl24ltXCI/edit?usp=sharing|Electroplating with the Contac S4]]+**Step 2:** [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/ESv_zF8waMZDucEP3-J6NFYBuArRkl8M5vwusDOW_0RiDQ?e=IUuxvH|Electroplating with the Contac S4]]\\ 
 +\\ 
 +//Quick Plating Tips//: 
 +  * If you would like to adjust the plating time, ask a PI to put you in touch with an MPI. 
 +  * Do not let your substrate sit in the bath (any bath) for very long after the timer runs out. 
 +  * If the machine throws an error on startup, it’s likely a bath needs to be topped off. Get a PI to help. 
 +  * After bath 3 (activator): 
 +    * Swipe a “reasonable” amount off with squeegee (mostly just don’t want it dripping) 
 +    * Cure for 20+ mins at 150F. (Higher than this can cause the ink to bake into the copper.) 
 +    * When rinsing after drying (after “bath 4”), scrub the copper surface with a sponge to remove as much of the dried activator off the copper as possible. 
 +  * Scour around your fiducials after plating. It makes a noticeable difference to the laser.
  
-Step 3: [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/12wh_QeFDMwJ3yHM_1vKg2GOl59GsFNlvb-bEEM9CVig/edit?usp=sharing|Etching with the ProtoLaser]]+**Step 3:** [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/ERfKdS6GbVpJo6k_gJ1MgLgB3VVaU7ckSrJCkb4FGMK1IA?e=1rAYmW|Etching with the ProtoLaser]]
  
-Step 4: [[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uAXuYXLWbGZ9QXFLtfK_cNIoK9yKyPrC-1UqUaSmDzk/edit?usp=sharing|Routing with the ProtoMat]]+**Step 4:** [[https://gtvault.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/HiveMakerspace/Edjj8jMNM41GlLnyGoimobUBNnqyUsva7KgEmdtWk4Ceow?e=brYMfK|Routing with the ProtoMat]]
  
 ---- ----
-=== Common Issues === +For issues with the ProtoMat, see the [[pcb-help_pm|ProtoMat Knowledge Base]].\\ 
-  * Some issue+For issues with the ProtoLaser, see the [[pcb-help_pl|ProtoLaser Knowledge Base]].\\ 
 +For issues with the electroplater, see the [[pcb-help_ep|Contact S4 Knowledge Base]].
  • process_2s-plate.txt
  • Last modified: 2022/09/07 15:18
  • by benh