Getting Closer.

After successfully learning how to properly breadboard a circuit last week, it is finally time to start building my first circuit board.  This week we etched and drilled our circuit board.  To describe the images below:  First we start with a blank copper circuit board with a layer of photoresist on it.  A pattern is then placed over the board and exposed to a black light for a couple of minutes.  After the board has been exposed, it is developed.  The developer washes all of the photoresist off of the circuit board.  From the developer, the circuit board is soaked in a bath of ferric chloride.  The ferric chloride washes away all of the copper from the pattern that was burned into the circuit board in the beginning of this process.  After all of the copper is washed away the circuit board is complete.  Before soldering a circuit board, the painstaking process of drilling is next.  200+ holes were drilled into this board.  In the final images you will notice some scratches on the circuit board.  The copper didn't completely come off in a few places and was scratched off with a razor knife.

 Exposing the circuit board

 Into the developer

 Ferric chloride bath

 ALL DONE!