Yesterday, everything was converted to EasyEDA, a web-based circuit board designer. KiCAD was good, but the lack of an autorouter was disappointing. Fortunately, I learned this lesson a simple project and recreating the work was simple.
The autorouter had no trouble creating every trace on a single layer of copper the first time it was run. In fact, I had little confidence when I ran the router the first time. I assumed it would have errors and I would have to add some jumpers or at least some vias but it worked without any issues.
Autorouting from EasyEDA was effective. Printing from EasyEDA was not simple. Creating Gerber files was intuitve.
Exported Gerber files from EasyEDA were imported to KiCAD for printing. Unfortunately, KiCAD doesn't import drill holes so the pads were all solid instead of hollow but a close-up picture showed that the traces were clean which should produce a good circuit board.
The paper print of the circuit board fit neatly into the pipe this time. This design constraint was the reason for switching to EasyEDA since it featured an autorouter and reshaping the board wasn't a tedious exercise.
Printing from KiCAD wasn't viable. There was trouble printing multiple copies and it still printed solid pads instead of hollow circles. Printing from EasyEDA was figured out but it would add excessive material around the transistor pads which made them so large they touched. This problem could be overcome by using a knife to slice away the toner after it had been adhered to the copper.
A print of three circuits was made on inexpensive transfer paper then ironed onto the copper/fiberglass laminate. Directions for making circuit boards can be found all over Instructables so I won't go into detail here. The transfer paper was torn above one of the three boards so a corner was peeled up before it was cool. In the picture, some of the melted toner can be seen sticking to the copper and the transfer paper.
Everything was allowed to cool and the transfer paper was easily removed. Some of the toner didn't transfer well enough and it can be seen on the yellow paper. Another attempt will be made to make a good transfer. The lines which did transfer look great.
Downloads:
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/ and 24hourengineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, are not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on a post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2017-05-03 (W)
The autorouter had no trouble creating every trace on a single layer of copper the first time it was run. In fact, I had little confidence when I ran the router the first time. I assumed it would have errors and I would have to add some jumpers or at least some vias but it worked without any issues.
Routed board with highlighted traces
Autorouting from EasyEDA was effective. Printing from EasyEDA was not simple. Creating Gerber files was intuitve.
Exported Gerber files from EasyEDA were imported to KiCAD for printing. Unfortunately, KiCAD doesn't import drill holes so the pads were all solid instead of hollow but a close-up picture showed that the traces were clean which should produce a good circuit board.
Magnified view of paper circuit
The paper print of the circuit board fit neatly into the pipe this time. This design constraint was the reason for switching to EasyEDA since it featured an autorouter and reshaping the board wasn't a tedious exercise.
Paper print penetrating PVC pipe
Printing from KiCAD wasn't viable. There was trouble printing multiple copies and it still printed solid pads instead of hollow circles. Printing from EasyEDA was figured out but it would add excessive material around the transistor pads which made them so large they touched. This problem could be overcome by using a knife to slice away the toner after it had been adhered to the copper.
Touching transistor traces, terribly tough to tackle
A print of three circuits was made on inexpensive transfer paper then ironed onto the copper/fiberglass laminate. Directions for making circuit boards can be found all over Instructables so I won't go into detail here. The transfer paper was torn above one of the three boards so a corner was peeled up before it was cool. In the picture, some of the melted toner can be seen sticking to the copper and the transfer paper.
Peeling a hot board. Never do this
Everything was allowed to cool and the transfer paper was easily removed. Some of the toner didn't transfer well enough and it can be seen on the yellow paper. Another attempt will be made to make a good transfer. The lines which did transfer look great.
Partially transferred toner on copper
Downloads:
- Arduino firmware
- OpenSCAD code
- STL printable models
- STL printable pipe dividers
- Python Last-Man-Standing program
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/ and 24hourengineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, are not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on a post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2017-05-03 (W)
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