For creators and businesses alike, the need for rapid and efficient printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication is paramount. Traditional methods often involve outsourcing to professional facilities, leading to delays and increased costs, especially during iterative prototyping phases. Like many, we at amazingprint.net sought an in-house solution to produce working PCBs swiftly, bypassing the lengthy turnaround times of external fabrication services.
Our objective wasn’t merely to visualize PCB layouts; we required fully functional boards capable of accommodating both through-hole (TTH) and surface mount device (SMD) components. The aim was to create PCBs that perform identically to professionally manufactured boards, enabling comprehensive testing and functionality validation within our own lab. This need for speed and functionality drove our exploration into rapid PCB prototyping solutions. Our lab frequently utilizes hybrid boards featuring both TTH and SMD components for ease of handling and soldering, making it crucial for any in-house solution to support both component types seamlessly.
Our journey toward a viable solution began with an intriguing Instructable focusing on 3D-printed solderless circuit boards. While this offered a starting point, it proved inadequate for our requirements, particularly concerning double-sided PCBs. Furthermore, we envisioned a process where the 3D printer itself could directly create conductive tracks, vias, and intricate features typically found on professionally fabricated PCBs. Above all, we prioritized a method that was not only fast and dependable but also clean and free from the hazardous chemicals associated with traditional PCB etching processes.
To embark on this innovative approach to PCB fabrication, you will require the following essential components:
- Dual Extruder 3D Printer: A dual extruder is necessary for creating functional PCBs. While a single extruder printer might suffice for non-working models, achieving conductivity and complex structures requires the precision of dual extrusion.
- Standard PLA Filament: Utilize regular, non-conductive PLA (or ABS) filament in any color as the base material for your PCB structure.
- Conductive PLA Filament: Opt for conductive PLA filament, ideally graphene-based for superior conductivity, or carbon powder-based alternatives. This filament, typically black, is crucial for printing the conductive traces of your circuit board.
- PCB CAD Software: Employ your preferred PCB CAD design software, such as Eagle CAD or KiCAD, to generate Gerber files, the industry-standard format for PCB designs.
- High Conductivity Cold Solder Adhesive: Acquire high conductivity “cold solder” adhesive to ensure reliable electrical connections between components and the 3D-printed conductive traces.
- Internet Access for PCB2STL Conversion: An internet connection is needed to access the Solargy Innovation PCB2STL file conversion service, a critical step in translating your PCB design into a printable 3D model.
