PCB Through hole plating - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Puffie40
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 07:25:53 pm
content: I recently had my school carve up a arduino shield design on their CNC Router. One of the problems I am now pondering is how to get the holes plated.A teacher told me their approach is to use through hole rivets, but there is some positioning error between the two layers which I fear a rivet would short out the hole with the ground plane.While researching into this, I found one procedure where you coat the holes with conductive epoxy- it seems simple enough that I want to try it. Has anyone tried this? Does the solder flow okay through the hole?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 10:24:25 pm
content: If the registration isn't within 5 or 10 thou, you're screwed already and must start over.Conductive epoxy might work for signals, but I don't think it can be soldered, so you'll have a hard time using that throughout.Rivets (of the appropriate shape and size) or hunks of wire (soldered on both sides) are the most common, I think.Tim

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2015, 12:52:02 am
content: Realistically - rivets, wire, or simply solder through hole components top and bottom to use the legs to transit layers.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2015, 12:55:11 am
content: Quote from: Puffie40 on February 28, 2015, 07:25:53 pmPlating vias requires a caustic de-smearing process before the electrodeposition, and then it deposits copper everywhere, and to control that you need plating bars around a frame. If you don't have that, you end up with a terrible sandwich of poorly controlled material thicknesses.Just get the PCBs made, or hunker down and solder in some wires/rivets. Or if you really must make your own, use larger vias than you would for a regular PCB.http://www.hebertlabs.com/projects/project%20reports/electroplating%20through%20holes%20and%20vias.htm

author: kd6oji
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2015, 10:51:55 pm
content: I've always used 22ga wire for my 'plated hole' proto boards I've done myself, just trim fairly close, solder, and test if in doubt. a two sided board wouldn't be a lot of trouble as you aren't trying to hit internal layers. if your vias are really tiny, you can probably do the same, just strip back some finer wire that will fit. yes its a bit cumbersome but it does work for prototyping.Of course as stated before, using component legs helps too if you can access them.As for the conductive epoxy, from experience it will not solder.

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 02, 2015, 02:07:20 am
content: Quote from: Puffie40 on February 28, 2015, 07:25:53 pmThe time you will spend trying to 'make this work' with conductive epoxy, will be greater than re-milling the board with better registration. Use some tooling holes / pins to help you there.

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2015, 07:10:36 am
content: Custom PCBs cost literally ten dollars from China. Don't bother with homemade boards, it's just not worth it.

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2015, 07:41:12 am
content: @Dago link please

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2015, 07:55:39 am
content: Quote from: Cloud on March 02, 2015, 07:41:12 amwww.dirtypcbs.comor for a selection of manufacturers -www.pcbshopper.com

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2015, 10:25:07 am
content: Thank you

author: rea5245
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2015, 01:39:32 pm
content: For classrooms, it's important to have fast turn-around while keeping costs down. If you can't get good results from the CNC, check out the price-comparison sitePCBShopper.comand pay special attention to the "Boards arrive in" selection. You can select how quickly you want to get your boards, and PCBShopper will look for faster shipping and shorter lead times to meet your schedule.If you just want cheap and don't care how long it takes, Chinese manufacturers with 15+ day shipping are OK. But if you want the boards quickly, e.g. a week or less, American and European companies become cost competitive (assuming you're in North America or Europe). PCBShopper can figure it all out for you.- Bob