WEEK 3

Date:  17  - 21 February 2014

Subject : Etching Process

Introduction: Etching is the process of using strong acid  to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in the metal .

Objectives: 

1. To create a circuit as in software into the PCB board
2. To attached all components used in the board.

Project Description:

1. First, prepared the material used for etching process which are:

• PCB board
• Acid (Ferric Chloride Anhydrous)
• Former
• Heat water

 Figure 1: Some material used for Etching process

2. Second, put the acid  along with the hot water into the container. The acid will melt and change to gold color.

3. Then put the board into the container and I need to shake it slowly. This process will take around 30 minutes to get the exactly circuit.

Figure 2: The board need to be shake with the acid and hot water

4.  From figure 3, the conductor that is not in used will disappear because of the acid reaction. So, the circuit will be obtained after this process.  

Figure 3: The conductor that is not in used slowly disappear from the board

5.  After a few minutes the board will change into exactly circuit that I need. This circuit will need to troubleshoot first if there have some line that is short each other. So, it is need to do a continuity test for this circuit by using multimeter.

Figure 4: The circuit after etching process

Subject : Troubleshoot/Testing Process

Objectives: 

1. To check either the line obtained is not connected with the other route.
2. To avoid any short circuit happened that will make the circuit not functional.

Project Description: 

1.  The continuity testing is most important thing after doing the etching process. It is to check either the line is not connected with other route.

Figure 1: The circuit need to clean using sand paper

 2.  Figure 1 shows the sand paper is using to clean up the circuit from any conductor that is not important.

 Figure 2: The process of continuity testing

3.  By using buzzer, it is need to checked on each route for the continuity test. Sometimes the line is unconnected or missing with the other route or component pin because of the line from permanent marker is not made with properly before etching process.

Problem Encountered:
 
There is no problem interface from the testing process. Each line in the route is well connected and there is no line missing from the circuit. The circuit from etching process is the same with the design in Proteus software.

Project Outcome:

I have learned about how to obtained the circuit from etching process. I'm also can understand the circuit function and the way of each components used in this PIC circuit. My research project is on schedule and I should encounter no problems finishing it.