Activity No.

1
PCB Etching and Engraving
Course Code: FCPEDDL Program:
Course Title: CPE Drafting and Design Date Performed:
Section: Date Submitted:
Name: Instructor:

1. Objective(s)

The activity aims to examine the different etching procedure that is faster and applicable. This
experiment also provides students with knowledge and skills on command manipulation using
CAD software.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes

(ILOs): The students shall be able to:

2.1 Classify the procedure in designing a PCB layout; and
2.2 Compare the different techniques on removing the PCB copper from the board.

3. Discussion
Etching is a processes of using a strong chemical or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of
metal surface that can create a design.

In pure etching, copper, zinc or steel plate is covered with a waxy ground which is resistant to acid.
A waxy acid-resist (Ground) is applied to a metal plate such as copper or zinc but steel plate is
another medium with different qualities. There are two common types of ground: hard ground and
soft ground.

Hard ground can be applied in two ways. Solid hard ground comes in a hard waxy block. To apply
hard ground of this variety, the plate to be etched is placed upon a hot-plate (set at 70 degrees C),
a kind of metal worktop that is heated up. The plate heats up and the ground is applied by hand,
melting onto the plate as it is applied. The ground is spread over the plate as evenly as possible
using a roller. Once applied the etching plate is removed from the hot-plate and allowed to cool
which hardens the ground.

After the ground has hardened the artist "smokes" the plate, classically with 3 beeswax tapers,
applying the flame to the plate to darken the ground and make it easier to see what parts of the
plate are exposed. Smoking not only darkens the plate but adds a small amount of wax. Afterwards
the artist uses a sharp tool to scratch into the ground, exposing the metal.

The second way to apply hard ground is by liquid hard ground. This comes in a can and is applied
with a brush upon the plate to be etched. Exposed to air the hard ground will harden.

Soft ground also comes in liquid form and is allowed to dry but it does not dry hard like hard ground and
is impressionable. After the soft ground has dried the printmaker may apply materials such as leaves,
objects,
hand prints and so on which will penetrate the soft ground and expose the plate underneath.

The ground can also be applied in a fine mist, using powdered rosin or spray paint. This process is
called aquatint, and allows for the creation of tones, shadows, and solid areas of color. Soft-ground
etching uses a special softer ground. The artist places a piece of paper (or cloth etc. in modern uses)
over the ground and draws on it. The print resembles a drawing.

Engraving is the practice of incising a design onto a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into
it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or
may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing images on paper as prints
or illustrations; these images are also called engravings.

Engraving was a historically important method of producing images on paper in artistic printmaking,

in mapmaking, and also for commercial reproductions and illustrations for books and magazines. It
has long been replaced by various photographic processes in its commercial applications and, partly
because of the difficulty of learning the technique, is much less common in printmaking, where it has
been largely replaced by etching and other techniques.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etching

4. Materials and Equipment:

1. 2x2 PCB
2. Chemical Solution
3. 4 pcs. Plastic Container
4. Permanent Marker
5. Masking Tape
6. Cutting Devices

5. Procedure:

1. Cut 4pcs. (1x1 inch) PCB.

2. Place the PCB in a different container.
3. Apply the surface level Ferric Chloride solution.
4. Fill out the Table 1-1.
5. Prepare 2 set of 2x2 PCB.
6. Wrap a 1 2x2 PCB using a masking tape.
7. Write “National University” at the top of covered copper portion.
8. Use a cutting device to engrave the words.
9. Remove all excess masking tape at the PCB.
10. Using the permanent market write the word “National University”.
11. Place the each PCB inside the container with copper laid up and copper lay down
position.
12. Apply the best technique in Table 1-1.
13. Fill-out Table 1-2.
 6. Data and Results:

Table 1-1. Trials

Trial Time Time Total
Started Finished Time
1. Leave the PCB.
2. Leave the PCB within 5 mins. Then shake the container
until all copper are removed.
3. Shake the container in 5 mins. Then leave until all the
copper are removed.
4. Shake the container until all the copper are removed.

Table 1-2. Engraving and Etching Procedure

Procedure Time Time Total
Started Finished Time
1. Copper Up Dip
2. Copper Dip Down

7. Data Analysis:

8. Rubrics: