Engineering
Level 1/2
Unit R114 – Simulate, construct and test electronic
circuits
Practical safe PCB manufacture
Task 1
When a printed circuit board (PCB) layout has been designed using computer aided design (CAD)
software (or even by other means) then the next step is to manufacture the PCB ready for
assembly. There are several ways in which the finished design layout can be used to produce the
PCB. The three most common methods are: photo-resist, etch resist and milling/engraving. The
internet links below show short videos of each of these methods in action.
Photo-resist method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWnfnt2rNO0
Etch resist method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvpUp7-dwh8
Milling/engraving method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Ypo_4zHvo
You task for this activity is to investigate the process involved with each method and to explain
briefly how the PCB is made in each case. You may use other means in addition to the videos
above to research how it is done.
Engineering
Level 1/2
Produce a table with your findings:
Photo resist method
Explain how
it is done:
Etch resist method
Milling/engraving method