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Author Topic: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?  (Read 7096 times)

2E0ILY

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Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« on: December 19, 2013, 03:49:04 AM »

I have successfully made several PCB boards using photoresist methods. But every time I have had a .eps file to work from and print directly on to the transpaernt material. I now need to do some boards where the only form of layout is an actual size diagram on the printed page of a book. One is in the back of an old ARRL handbook. How do I go from the printed page to printing it onto the transparency material, retaining scale? The articles I have read are deliciously vague about this step.... Thanks.
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Best regards, Chris Wilson.

KA4POL

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RE: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2013, 06:49:44 AM »

Piece of cake  ;D

If you scan the picture and carefully watch to maintain the dpi setting you automatically maintain the correct size. How do you go from the scan? I use Photoshop. This allows you to change the size. In case of doubt I make a print on paper and calculate the correct size relation factor for changing the picture size.

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KA0HCP

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RE: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2013, 12:07:22 PM »

Scan or take a photo. 

I recommend laying a ruler alongside the circuit for reference.  Then you simply compare the printout to for size against the the ruler.   

In laying out original circuits with software, it is easy to include reference marks equal to some length, to again compare a printout against a ruler.
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KA0HCP, ex-KB4QAA Relocated to Ks. April 2019.

WD4HXG

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RE: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2013, 02:18:01 PM »

Take your camera. Shoot an image of the printed
artwork. Import the JPEG into your favorite
image software (my favorite is GIMP). Adjust
to the on screen scale.
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2E0ILY

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RE: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2013, 08:01:24 AM »

OK, thanks for the replies. As I do not have a scanner that works on my current OS I will try with a digital photo, with a ruler alongside for accurate scaling. Thanks very much for the replies everyone, and a happy Christmas to you.
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Best regards, Chris Wilson.

KA4POL

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RE: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2013, 08:45:15 AM »

Try to hold the camera as horizontal as possible so you do not have an oblique view.

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2E0ILY

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RE: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2013, 08:57:28 AM »

Try to hold the camera as horizontal as possible so you do not have an oblique view.




Understood, thanks Dieter :)
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Best regards, Chris Wilson.

KA0HCP

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RE: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2013, 12:34:07 PM »

There are many home etchant alternatives to Ferric acid: Acetic Acid+Hydrogen Peroxide+Table Salt; hydrochloric acid/muriatic acid; Drano derived solutions; Copper chloride; search the internet.

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Reply split to new topic.  b.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2013, 12:45:25 PM by KB4QAA »
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KA0HCP, ex-KB4QAA Relocated to Ks. April 2019.

W5FYI

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RE: Photoresist PCB question. Printed page artwork to transparency?
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2013, 01:05:17 AM »

Many copy shops will make transparent copies of your artwork. Explain that you need a 1:1 clear transparency to use with an overhead projector. After they scan your Handbook layout, simply lay the transparency over the original as a quick check to see if the two align. If they don't, remind them that you did specify 1:1, and make them do it again.
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