My Own Build PCB on PCB Way

I never build my own PCB ever in my life before.

I always thought making a PCB for my electronic project is difficult. It is simply by the reason that making a PCB in the old ways is troublesome. It was all started by preparing the empty plain copper 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 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, the PCB need to drill for many holes as the components required to put on top of it, then clean it again with fine sand paper. Besides for the trouble when making the PCB, I also found for the finished PCB doing this way always looking cheap and unprofessional. I also worried about the longevity of the PCB, especially for the copper traces are easily oxidize because directly exposed to the air, which effect to the electronic connection overall.

That is why in this post, I will share my experienced design and making my own PCB at pcbway.com

This post is sponsored by pcbway.com

This is when all started. Few months ago, I got a message on Instagram from someone who read and follow this blog. He is a French guy and we start the conversation. 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, the first step we discuss about the schematic, what design we want to make for this DAC? What input that we want to put in this DAC? The final conclusion is we design non-oversampling DAC using PCM58 and simple IV converter using single op-amp. The input chosen is I2s with shift register directly to PCM58 DAC. I2s input is more flexible to implement, as we can do for many inputs, especially for USB using XMOS module or PCM2706 and coaxial using CS8412 or CS8414.

The most time consuming is for the component's placement in the PCB design. As you probably know, components placement cannot be random or as the designer liking. There is thumb-rules that should be follow especially at the power supply lines to make sure for the optimal performance. We also make some revision in the PCB traces which many mistakes found at the beginning.

The PCB design software that we are using during this process is using KiCad.

Actually, PCB Way and KiCad has an official collaboration which allow customers to place their orders in just one click. Fully explanation can be found here.

If you have visited the link that I shared above, take the opportunity to make you own account first at PCB Way. Especially you need to fill in for the delivery address that might help you later when you want to place your order.

A fortune for me that Emily from PCB Way came across my previous post and give a comment for a collaboration. I think this is a good things that their support not only good for this blog but also to realized my PCB design.

Personally, I got so much help from this kind lady. Starting from my first email that I was sent to her regarding the collaboration, until placed the order and the PCB is shipped, delivered to my doorstep. I guess all customers service at PCB Way will doing the same to you as well.

Since I already have the GEBER files so ordering the PCB by simply upload the KiCad file to this address here.

The design file generated from the KiCad software is in Gerber files. Once it uploaded to the PCB Way website link that I shared above, they automatically preview the finished PCB along with the dimension and the price calculation.

The price calculation basically depends on what option and materials that you will choose for your PCB project, but there are build time option which normally 24 hours requirement time to build (for up to 2 layers PCB type), or if you in hurry, the extra urgent option build time might be for you, with the price 4 times than the normal option.

Back to the PCB option, let's discover the option for this build instead.

1. The board type & design panel is how your PCB is shipped when it finished by single piece or panel. For consumer use like my project, single piece is preferable.

2.  The size is refering to PCB size based on the KiCad files, I didn't change anything for this option.

3. The quantity is how many pieces you want to order. Lately I found that produce 5 pieces or 10 pieces is not making the price jump double.

4. The materials will affect the price significantly. FR4 is standard fiberglass materials use for electronic project like this which offer great dielectric and cost saving.

5. The thickness is how thick is the PCB, while you need to make sure not to thick because most of DIP IC leads have maximum about 2.5 mm. For my project, I choose 1.6 mm thickness.

6. The minimum track & holes size are unchanged since this option will direct from the KiCad design file.

7. The solder mask & silkscreen is for the finished color of the PCB. I think red with white maker is cool enough for this PCB project.

8. The surface finish is an important part of PCB. It can protect the copper from oxidation.

9. The last option is finished copper & inner cooper weight. Thicker can be better, but 2 oz is enough for my PCB project.

The last step is just check-out and placed the order. Make sure the delivery method and address is correct and finish the order by make a payment using several options provided such as: Paypall or Master payment. This whole process is 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 delivery update can be check in the order status and PCB Way customer service keep inform promptly to my email as well.

Personally, it was an amazing shopping experience.

Uh., I mean amazing PCB building 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, just like professional PCB you can find in hi-end electronic.

I am satisfied.

Thanks Emily.

Thanks PCB Way for sponsoring this post.

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