His first week on the job he asked me, 'How do you prototype PCB's? Wire wrap, breadboards, or what?' My answer then is just as valid now. Is this the standard method still used by professional engineering departments when making prototype PCBs today, or are there other methods that give similar great results?Ībout 15 years ago I hired an EE straight out of U.C. The results were beautiful looking PCBs that were very easy to solder and professional looking, despite a lack of solder mask and screen.

put in spray tank and spray with clean water.

put in vertical tank containing Ferric Chloride etch and leave until etched.

Put in spray tank and spray with clean water.

Hook wire into hole on PCB and dunk in a vertical tank containing Sodium Hydroxide and wait until developed.

Insert PCB between artworks, and expose using a homemade UV light box.

Cut a PCB to approx size, drill a hole at edge where a wire can be inserted to hold the PCB between insertions in chemicals.

Tape down top artwork onto bottom artwork and visually align them.

Print artwork using a cheap laser printer onto semi-transparent film.

Ten years ago, I worked at a small engineering department within Philips Semiconductors that prototyped all designs before getting them professionally fabricated outside.

Pcb prototype