difference between pcb layout and films

[charmcaster.engg]

what is the difference between pcb layout and films?

 

[Harald Kapp]

Welcome to the forum.

The layout, also called artwork, is the pattern that defines the form of the copper traces on the PCB.
The films are a means to photographically reproduce the layout for etching the pattern in the production of the PCB.
You don't need films to create the traces on the PCB. You can also use a laaser plotter to expose the photosensitive coating on the PCB or you can use a router to mill away everything that'S not copper.

 

[shumifan50]

The PCB layout is normally defined using a software that allows you to position each component on the PCB and interconnect the components. This is visually done on a PC using a CAD package like Eagle. This creates the PCB layout. It can also be done using transfers directly onto the copper clad PCB, but I never had great success with this method.

Once the layout has been defined in the CAD package, it has to somehow be transferred to a real piece of PCB. This can be done as described above. At home we print the layout onto a piece of transparency(the film). This transparency is then pressed tight against a copper clad PCB coated with photo sensitive resist, and exposed under an Ultraviolet light for the correct amount of time so that when it is developed (special developer solution) the bits of copper we want to retain, remains covered with the resist.

The PCB is the etched by putting it in an etching solution that eats away the bits of copper that is not protected by the resist,leaving only pads and traces of copper.

Optionally the PCB can then be tinned to make soldering easier and protect the copper.

Optionally on the component side a silkscreen is used to mark and label each component.

 

[(*steve*)]

what is the difference between pcb layout and films?

It's nowhere near as much fun watching a pcb layout in a theatre with 200 other people.

 

[Harald Kapp]

 

[charmcaster.engg]

Thanks

Thanks

Welcome to the forum.

The layout, also called artwork, is the pattern that defines the form of the copper traces on the PCB.
The films are a means to photographically reproduce the layout for etching the pattern in the production of the PCB.
You don't need films to create the traces on the PCB. You can also use a laaser plotter to expose the photosensitive coating on the PCB or you can use a router to mill away everything that'S not copper.

 

[charmcaster.engg]

thanks

 

[charmcaster.engg]

Thanks a lot.