Changes

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is a board that has pads that are connected with traces (lines) which make a circuit. It allows electrical components to be connected and get power when they are soldered to this board.  

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is a board that has pads that are connected with traces (lines) which make a circuit. It allows electrical components to be connected and get power when they are soldered to this board.  

Solder is metal that glues the component to the board and it provides the connection between them. A PCB is made up of many layers of different materials, as shown in Figure 1.  

Solder is metal that glues the component to the board and it provides the connection between them.

 

A PCB is made up of many layers of different materials, as shown in Figure 1.  

[[File:PCB Composition.png|center|PCB Composition]]

[[File:PCB Composition.png|center|PCB Composition]]

Figure 1. PCB composition  

Figure 1. PCB composition  

The substrate (FR4) is fiberglass which gives the board rigidity and insulates each side from the other. The copper is the conductive material in the board. It can be only on one side of the board or more commonly on both sides to have a double-sided board. The next layer, the soldermask, is placed on top of the copper to avoid unwanted contact from other conductive elements. The white silkscreen is then placed on top to indicate the position of different components or any notations you would like to add.  

If connections need to be made between layers, then holes need to be drilled then plated through inside with metal to make the connection between the layers (Figure 2). These holes are called vias.  

Figure 1 shows a 2-layer board, but more inner layers can be created by sandwiching multiple 2-layer substrates. If connections need to be made between layers, then holes need to be drilled then plated through inside with metal to make the connection between the layers (Figure 2). These holes are called vias. We are making a 2-layer through hole board, which means our components will have pins that pass through the PCB and will be soldered on the opposite side.  

We are making a 2-layer through hole board, which means our components will have pins that pass through the PCB and will be soldered on the opposite side.  

[[File:PCB internal routes.png|center|PCB Internal routes]]

[[File:PCB internal routes.png|center|PCB Internal routes|link=Special:FilePath/PCB_internal_routes.png]]

Figure 2. PCB internal routes  

Figure 2. PCB internal routes  

# Turn on the machine by '''pressing''' it on/off switch at the back.  

# Turn on the machine by '''pressing''' it on/off switch at the back.  

[[File:ON/OFF switch of the machine .png|thumb|ON/OFF switch of the machine]]

[[File:ON/OFF switch of the machine .png|thumb|ON/OFF switch of the machine|link=Special:FilePath/ON/OFF_switch_of_the_machine_.png]]

Figure 3. ON/OFF switch of the machine  

Figure 3. ON/OFF switch of the machine  

# Turn on the compressor by '''turning''' the blue valve on the wall near the sink.  

# Turn on the compressor by '''turning''' the blue valve on the wall near the sink.  

[[File:Air compressor valve.png|thumb|Air compressor valve]]

[[File:Air compressor valve.png|thumb|Air compressor valve|link=Special:FilePath/Air_compressor_valve.png]]

Figure 4. Air compressor valve  

Figure 4. Air compressor valve  

# Start the LPFK software by '''clicking''' on the desktop shortcut or on [Start] → (All) [Programs] → [LPKF Laser & Electronics] → [CircuitPro PM]. The machine will automatically be initialized, and the following dialog will be displayed.  

# Start the LPFK software by '''clicking''' on the desktop shortcut or on [Start] → (All) [Programs] → [LPKF Laser & Electronics] → [CircuitPro PM]. The machine will automatically be initialized, and the following dialog will be displayed.  

[[File:Initialization dialog.png|center|Initialization dialog]]

[[File:Initialization dialog.png|center|Initialization dialog|link=Special:FilePath/Initialization_dialog.png]]

Figure 5. Initialization dialog  

Figure 5. Initialization dialog  

# In the dialog that is displayed, you can select the template of your choice. For now, '''select''' the template DoubleSided_NoTHP.cbf in the tab Templates to create a double-sided PCB.  

# In the dialog that is displayed, you can select the template of your choice. For now, '''select''' the template DoubleSided_NoTHP.cbf in the tab Templates to create a double-sided PCB.  

[[File:New document creation.png|center|New document creation]]

[[File:New document creation.png|center|New document creation|link=Special:FilePath/New_document_creation.png]]

Figure 6. New document creation  

Figure 6. New document creation  

The dialog will close, and the user interface will change as follows:  

The dialog will close, and the user interface will change as follows:  

[[File:Initial user interface.png|center|Initial user interface]]

[[File:Initial user interface.png|center|Initial user interface|link=Special:FilePath/Initial_user_interface.png]]

Figure 7. Initial user interface  

Figure 7. Initial user interface  

# Whenever the machine or the software has not been shut down properly. The last tool status is unknown. If that happens, you will be prompted to put down the tool possibly being in the collet into the corresponding tool holder.  

# Whenever the machine or the software has not been shut down properly. The last tool status is unknown. If that happens, you will be prompted to put down the tool possibly being in the collet into the corresponding tool holder.  

[[File:Tool holder prompt.png|center|Tool holder prompt]]

[[File:Tool holder prompt.png|center|Tool holder prompt|link=Special:FilePath/Tool_holder_prompt.png]]

Figure 8. Tool holder prompt  

Figure 8. Tool holder prompt