Process of constructing the hardware

Firstly, when the circuit has been tested, it was designed using Diptrace PCB Layout. You can also design the layout using Eagle software or Proteus 7 professional. PCB Layout is a software to draw and design the circuit. The advantage of using a PCB is it eliminates or reduces the need of jumper wires as when we utilise a strip board. The longer jumper wire contributes to a noisy signal.

The PCB layout 

After the circuit has been designed, it was then printed on an overhead projected (OHP) paper.  Make sure that we use laser printed ink as a toner transfer ink. Otherwise, you will never get to transfer the ink from OHP paper to your PCB board.

Materials for etching process

                               Make sure you rub the PCB board with sandpaper before you start.

Equipment for etching process and a driller for PCB board

The circuit on the blank PCB was made by a toner transfer method where the printed paper was pressed to it by applying high temperature. I spent around 15 minutes to ensure the toner fully transfer to the PCB when a hot clothes iron was applied to the OHP paper. 

The PCB then picked up the ink from the paper, making a print. The ink must stick to the printed circuit board before the board is being etched so that the copper would not scrape off during etching. To ensure the ink or the line is clearly printed on the PCB board, we can use a black permanent maker to highlight the ink.

Finally, we can start ecthing the PCB board!!!