• Home
  • Archive
  • Tools
  • Contact Us

The Customize Windows

Technology Journal

  • Cloud Computing
  • Computer
  • Digital Photography
  • Windows 7
  • Archive
  • Cloud Computing
  • Virtualization
  • Computer and Internet
  • Digital Photography
  • Android
  • Sysadmin
  • Electronics
  • Big Data
  • Virtualization
  • Downloads
  • Web Development
  • Apple
  • Android
Advertisement
You are here: Home » What Are the Steps to Get Prototype PCB Manufactured

By Abhishek Ghosh April 11, 2019 1:02 am Updated on July 2, 2021

What Are the Steps to Get Prototype PCB Manufactured

Advertisement

These days, CAD files of the Open Source projects often distributed. In these situations, we can not use DIY methods of single layer PCB fabrication at home or some other ways like using Flex boards. For this process, we need to follow the procedure to save costs yet get the best result. The procedure will demand to learn a lot of new things and with time, a skilled can have excellent quality prototypes.

What Are the Steps to Get Prototype PCB Manufactured

 

Steps to Get Prototype PCB Manufactured : Understand the CAD File and Gerber Files

 

We are writing this part mainly for those who will use the design of Open Source projects to manufacture PCB.
STEP file is a CAD file format. The STEP model is a 3D format for viewing the components physicalities. It
does non contain soldering information. F3D file is a 3D design file created by Autodesk Fusion (a cloud-based 3D CAD design tool). A BRD file is a CAD file created by EAGLE. SCH file extension is used to indicate a circuit schematic file.

The Gerber format is used by printed circuit board (PCB) industry software to describe the printed circuit board images. Here are some example Gerber files :

Advertisement

---

Vim
1
https://github.com/thoughtbot/arduino/tree/master/hardware/gerbers

Gerber files should be inside a .rar or.zip archive with standard file extensions:

Extension Layer

pcbname.GTL Top Copper
pcbname.GTS Top Soldermask
pcbname.GTO Top Silkscreen

pcbname.GBL Bottom copper
pcbname.GBS Bottom Soldermask:
pcbname.GBO Bottom Silkscreen:
pcbname.TXT Drills
pcbname.GML/GKO *Board Outline:

We can convert Eagle files (EagleCAD schematic) to Gerber. Here is an example of Adafruit HUZZAH32 ESP32 Feather’s EAGLE PCB files :

Vim
1
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-HUZZAH32-ESP32-Feather-PCB

Here is an example of Adafruit HUZZAH32 ESP32 Feather’s 3D files :

Vim
1
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CAD_Parts/tree/master/3405%20ESP32%20Feather%20HUZZAH

We can manufacture PCB from the above examples’ Gerber files and EAGLE PCB files. This will need extra steps to convert to Gerber files.

 

Steps to Get Prototype PCB Manufactured : Purchase the Components and Get Ready For Assembling at Home

 

Assembling at home is cheaper and the cost of the component remains under control. In some countries, professional assembling by PCB fabrication service becomes cheap as they source the components from cheaper sources out of tie-up with hardware companies.

As for assembling at home, you need a stencil (which we will get in the next step), solder paste, hot air gun, magnification system to view. On the fabricated PCB (which we will get in the next step) you need to use the stencil to put solder paste, components and blow with a hot air gun. Components will get soldered into the proper place.

This is a brief description of the step. You will need a detailed guide to this step to work.

 

Get the PCB Fabricated

 

You are only taking the professional service to get the PCB fabricated and have the stencil. Many in India asks how to get the job done. Here is practical experience and cost-shared by a GitHub user :

Vim
1
http://amitesh-singh.github.io/pcb/2017/02/02/creating-cheap-circuit-boards.html

The result will be basic finishing (HASL) or surface treatment processing at that price. There are different types of PCB finishing. Immersion Gold (ENIG – Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold) is another widely-used surface treatment processing. It is suitable for lead-free soldering. ENIG is susceptible to the issue of hyper-corrosion of the nickel (black pad). The process itself is long and complex :

Vim
1
2
3
4
5
https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/2018/how-is-a-pcb-manufactured
 
https://www.smart-prototyping.com/blog/How-to-Define-PTH-and-NPTH
 
https://www.dfrobot.com/blog-239.html

The important aspect of the above-detailed articles is to gain an idea about colour, the colour of solder mask etc.

 

Conclusion

 

This is all about how you should follow the process of learning to get your prototype manufactured.

Tagged With brief summary of how pcb is manufactured , esp32 gerber library PCB pattern

This Article Has Been Shared 502 Times!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest
Abhishek Ghosh

About Abhishek Ghosh

Abhishek Ghosh is a Businessman, Surgeon, Author and Blogger. You can keep touch with him on Twitter - @AbhishekCTRL.

Here’s what we’ve got for you which might like :

Articles Related to What Are the Steps to Get Prototype PCB Manufactured

  • ESP8266 WiFi Module : Basic Theory

    ESP8266 WiFi Module is a Common Module Used in DIY Electronics Including Arduino. Here is Basic Theory Around Popular ESP8266 WiFi Module.

  • Arduino : IR Obstacle Detection Sensor For Dimming LED (Stop Event Facing Obstacle)

    Here is Arduino IR Obstacle Detection Sensor For Dimming LED to Stop Event Facing an Obstacle. Normally, We Use IR Obstacle Sensor to Initialize an Event, Like Lighting Up LED. We Can Do the Reverse.

  • What Are RX/TX LEDs and Pins on Arduino Boards?

    What Are RX/TX LEDs and Pins on Arduino Boards? Why They RX/TX LEDs Blinks Upon Code Uploading? How History of Terminal Relates to it?

  • How to Create Watch Face Using Galaxy Watch Designer

    The unique feature of the smartwatches is the capability to use different watch faces. We are using Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE for testing our designing and development. There are mainly three tools to convert your art created on vector tools like Adobe Illustrator and general-purpose tool Adobe Photoshop. Facer like two third party platform has […]

  • Send-Receive Message on PC Over Bluetooth From ESP32 Arduino

    Peoples often seek guides on serial connection over Bluetooth. Here is How to Send-Receive Message on PC Over Bluetooth From ESP32 Arduino.

Additionally, performing a search on this website can help you. Also, we have YouTube Videos.

Take The Conversation Further ...

We'd love to know your thoughts on this article.
Meet the Author over on Twitter to join the conversation right now!

If you want to Advertise on our Article or want a Sponsored Article, you are invited to Contact us.

Contact Us

Subscribe To Our Free Newsletter

Get new posts by email:

Please Confirm the Subscription When Approval Email Will Arrive in Your Email Inbox as Second Step.

Search this website…

 

Popular Articles

Our Homepage is best place to find popular articles!

Here Are Some Good to Read Articles :

  • Cloud Computing Service Models
  • What is Cloud Computing?
  • Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space
  • ARM Processor Architecture
  • What Camera Mode to Choose
  • Indispensable MySQL queries for custom fields in WordPress
  • Windows 7 Speech Recognition Scripting Related Tutorials

Social Networks

  • Pinterest (22.1K Followers)
  • Twitter (5.8k Followers)
  • Facebook (5.7k Followers)
  • LinkedIn (3.7k Followers)
  • YouTube (1.3k Followers)
  • GitHub (Repository)
  • GitHub (Gists)
Looking to publish sponsored article on our website?

Contact us

Recent Posts

  • Safe Chargers for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra June 27, 2022
  • How Telecoms Can Use The Cloud To Power Their 5G Network June 24, 2022
  • A Beginner Guide to Cloud Computing for Development June 22, 2022
  • 5 Benefits of Using a Virtual Data Room Today June 19, 2022
  • Top System Administration Courses 2022 June 18, 2022

About This Article

Cite this article as: Abhishek Ghosh, "What Are the Steps to Get Prototype PCB Manufactured," in The Customize Windows, April 11, 2019, June 28, 2022, https://thecustomizewindows.com/2019/04/what-are-the-steps-to-get-prototype-pcb-manufactured/.

Source:The Customize Windows, JiMA.in

This website uses cookies. If you do not want to allow us to use cookies and/or non-personalized Ads, kindly clear browser cookies after closing this webpage.

Read Privacy Policy.

PC users can consult Corrine Chorney for Security.

Want to know more about us? Read Notability and Mentions & Our Setup.

Copyright © 2022 - The Customize Windows | dESIGNed by The Customize Windows

Copyright  · Privacy Policy  · Advertising Policy  · Terms of Service  · Refund Policy