Printed circuit board (PCB) etching can be performed using a number of techniques. The most commonly employed method uses ultraviolet (UV) light and some chemicals. The UV is used to transfer the mask of the circuit layout from paper to the PCB. The board is then developed and etched by immersing it in a basic and an acidic solution respectively. The quality of the PCB developed depends heavily on the transfer of the mask onto the PCB through UV light.
Instructions
1 Turn the laser printer on and place the butter paper in its manual feed tray.
2 Open the PCB layout file in the PCB software. Click on "File -> Print" and select the laser printer connected with PC. Click "Properties" in the "Print" window and select "Manual feed tray" from the "Paper tray" drop-down menu. Click "Print" to start printing the layout on the butter paper.
3 Cut the butter paper with scissors 1 inch larger on each of the four boundaries of the circuit layout.
4 Place the printed butter paper on top of the circuit board and secure it using small pieces of transparent tape on its four corners.
5 Place the board in the ultraviolet imaging bath and close the lid. Turn the bath on and leave it on for about two minutes. Take out the board. Remove the paper from the board by peeling off the securing tapes; keep it in a safe place in case you want to use it again. The board is ready for development and etching.
