Jump to content
Electronics-Lab.com Community

Drilling IC holes in a PCB


Guest

Recommended Posts

After many attempts to get a PCB to etch right, I finally succeeded, then I goofed when I tried to drill the holes for an IC, they were just a little too out of alignment :P Does anybody have any tricks that work for a guide or anything? I'm trying to drill on a set of fairly small pads (the classic PIC programmer found int uController section here, actually). Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I do not know of any alignment tricks other than using a magnifier so that the pads are easier to see when you drill them.
However, when you make a mistake like this, you can still use the hole. Just bend the leg a little and make sure you are not touching another pad. You might have to remove a little copper to insure there is not a connection where you do not want it.

MP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well first of all you must use a SMALL driller to it is easier to handle and ofcoarse a small drill.

The normal sizes are 0.8mm for normal components, 0.6mm for vias (jumpers) and 1mm for large componnets like voltage regulators, large rectifying diodes etc..

IF You use a 0.8mm drill and a small driller, if you aim right the drill will automatically find the hole and drill it ... (it bend a little) because the copper forming the pad will act as a guide.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Take a small nail,point of your geometry instruments and punch a small dot on the pad.
This will help for the tip of the drill to be balanced.

Have you heard about punchs used before drilling in metals?

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Or else use a very high speed driller (30,000 RPM) like mine and it will drill the PCB instantly without running off before cutting. Drawbeck is that you must aim right or else it will drill were you do not want it


My drill is also 30,000 RPM and I have noticed that if the bits are new then it is how you have described. But if you plan on using them a number of times, you will get the walking problem. Even on my CNC I see this problem. Only the walking causes the bit to break. Besides, you are dulling your bits faster by drilling through a copper pad. A simple scratch of the etch resist will allow the etchant to make your center hole. Why waste bits?

MP
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
  • Create New...