| Description for Image 1: This is the first board of the PCBs for the PICkeymatrix 512 key version. Its been a while since I made my last PCB, but this time I tried something new: The toner transfer method. (I you wanna know more about it, use google :-) Instead of the special paper that is usually used with toner transfer, I made an experiment by using ordinary printer/copier paper. And it worked :-))) Since I got 1 kilogram of double sided boards for cheap a while ago, I used these. But since my layout is only one-sided, I tried to put the component side symbols on the top layer of the copper board, using the same method. This is what can be seen in this picture (which was actually made after the solder side was already etched) This shot was made right after the component side symbols were ironed on and then soaked in water in order to get the paper off while leaving the toner on the copper. | |
| Description for Image 2: this is the solder side, already etched. It was made with the toner transfer method using normal paper. | |
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| Description for Image 4: component-side side, with most paper already rubbed off (lots of finger work :( ) | |
| Description for Image 5: Using normal paper, it is harder to get off the little paper fibers from underneath the toner. | |
| Description for Image 6: But it did come out nicely :) | |
| Description for Image 7: Even small writing can be done with the toner transfer method | |
| Description for Image 8: The component side while etching (thus the blue-ish color) Since I etched the solder-side and the component side seperately, I came up with a simple way of prohibiting the etchant reaching the other side of the board: clear tape (similar to scotch tape of Tesafilm :), but a wider variant. I also used a long strip of that tape to make a 'holder' to move the board in the etchant. | |
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| Description for Image 10: The reflections on the right of the board is the 'holder' piece of clear tape. | |
| Description for Image 11: This is another printout (on normal paper) of the component side. Placing this upside-down on the copper and using a hot iron to press it on for about 4 minutes gave me the results seen in this gallery. | |
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| Description for Image 14: most of the copper is gone now. | |
| Description for Image 15: The board nearly finished etching, being held out from the etchant. The solder side tracks can be seen shining thru in this picture. | |
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| Description for Image 17: and close-up | |
| Description for Image 18: several days later, the board completely soldered, just the 3 IC's are missing. (Actually not totally complete, since only two ribbon cables are attached at this time. This allows me to hook up 128 keys. With all eight ribbon cables installed and connected to the matrix sub-boards (I'm working on those), you can hook up to 512 key/switches to PICkeymatrix. :-))) | |
| Description for Image 19: There are two headers: one 2-pin for the power supply, and a 3-pin for serial/RS-232 | |
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| Description for Image 21: solder-side. Not the most beatiful soldering job, I know. But testing was ok. | |
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