My Own Build PCB on PCB Way

I never build my own PCB ever in my life.

I always thought that building PCB is difficult. It is simply by the reason that building PCB in the old ways is troublesome. It all started by preparing the board and start making the traces on the paper screen, then located and drawing the components size manually. After its done, the layout screen is print to the PCB by using an iron, which often the printing not fully attach to the PCB and need correction manually. The pain is not stopping yet; you need to soak the PCB with the printing screen on it to the acid (that I also don't know what kind of acid is). The acid function is to peel out the copper on the PCB that not yet covered by the printed screen.

Is it done? Not yet! After it soaked and cleaned, I also need to drill many holes, clean it again with fine sand paper. The trouble is not over yet. The PCB finished is always looking cheap and unprofessional. Later on, the copper traces are easy oxidize because directly exposed to the air, effect to the electronic overall.

That is why in this post, I will share my experienced when building my first PCB on pcbway.com

Early disclaimer: this post is sponsored by pcbway.com

Few months ago, I got a messages on Instagram from someone who read and follow this blog. We start the conversation and long story short, this guy asking me if we can collaborate together to make a PCB for DAC PCM58.

I think this is a good idea and we start this project immediately.

So, we discuss about the schematic, components placement and PCB design. Then he start design the PCB using KiCad. I think my task in this project is minor, only sharing some advice for the schematic and checking PCB the layout.

I think this workflow is just like a good teamwork in the big company. This process was quite fast since this guy is very good at KiCad program.

The next step is try to find a manufacture that can convert this KiCad files to actual PCB, and I don't know why, it is just like a fortune that Emily from PCB Way give a comment on my previous post about a collaboration. I got so much help from this kind lady from my first email, until the PCB is shipped, delivered to my doorstep.

She guide me to start ordering my own PCB by simply upload the KiCad file to this address: https://www.pcbway.com/QuickOrderOnline.aspx

Once it uploaded, they automatically preview the finished PCB with the calculation for the size and the price.

I can choose many options for the PCB materials, thickness, spacing, colors and copper weight. In my order, I only choose the PCB solder mask and silkscreen color based on my preference, which is red with white silkscreen. For the PCB performance, I think the most important option is choose the cooper weight. In my order I choose 2 oz Cu which you can find this copper thickness on the hi-end audio PCB.

Afterall, it is very convenience to choose the PCB specification and color based on the project requirements

The last step is just check-out and placed the order, very easy and convenience.

The PCB build time is about 3 days and delivery to my doorstep using airfreight by Fedex which takes only 3 days in total including custom clearance.

This all process was inform promptly to my email so I keep updated about this order.

Personally, it was an amazing experience.

Making my own PCB on PCB Way is changes my thought forever.

When the package arrived, I rush to open it up and I got my own PCB with superior quality.

I am satisfied.

Thanks Emily.

Disclaimer: Any statement and photos in this article are not allowed to copy or publish without written permission from the writer. Any injury or loss from following tips in this article is not under writer responsibility.