Unit 6: Science for Engineering
LO3: Be able to manufacture and construct electronic
circuits safely
Introduction to PCB manufacture
Activity 1
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) used in
prototype design can be manufactured by
several methods. The three most
common methods are:



photo-resist
etch resist
milling/engraving
The internet links below show short videos
of each of these methods taking place.
Photo-resist method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWnfnt2rNO0
Etch resist method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvpUp7-dwh8
Milling/engraving method:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na9-USi_hZQ
Watch the videos and explain each of these processes in detail. You may use other means in addition to
the videos above to research how it is done.
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Activity 2
Before commencing manufacture of a PCB it is necessary to undertake some form of risk assessment to
determine the hazards present, the risks they present and how these risks might be reduced. One
method of reducing risks is by the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Write a risk assessment for the procedure you are going to use to manufacture a PCB. You could
present it in tabular form as shown below. The table below is from a Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
template. The first row in the table has been completed as an example:
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Do you need
What are the
hazards?
Action
Who might
What are
to do
Action by
by
be harmed
you already
anything else
whom?
when?
and how?
doing?
to control this
Jon Smith
1/3/16
Done
risk?
Fume extraction
Operators,
Chemical fumes
colleagues
and visitors
Ventilation by
open window
fan
Wear face mask
(PPE)
Risk assessments can also include a scoring matrix. Look at the HSE website
(http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/faq.htm) and investigate the purpose of a risk matrix and how one is
developed. You may wish to produce one to include with your risk assessment above.
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Pending