PCB etching notes in English

(As an English-speaking, non-German-speaking visitor to Metalab I thought I'd add a few notes from my experience making a PCB using Metalab facilities. -- follower)

• You can use Google Translate to get an idea of what the German language PCB creation instructions say.

• You can probably find a number of English language UV etching guides online that you can use alongside the translated Metalab specific instructions. I used one from ladyada which was somewhat appropriate.

• I used Kicad to produce the Gerbers and then used [1] to create a 600 DPI PNG file. I'm not sure if more recent versions of Kicad produce usable print files or not.

• I used GIMP to lay-up multiple copies of the board to be etched in one file. On the CAD station it's in German language but the pretty icons help.

• I printed on transparency twice. I followed ladyada's advice and printed it mirrored to minimise the possibility for light to enter from the side when exposing.

• The copper board I found was roughly 100mm x 160mm.

• There are white lab coats hanging on the back of the door to the "chemistry lab"--you will look particularly menacing when they are accessorised with black gloves.

• The UV light has two rocker switches on the left hand side. One controls On/Off and the other controls IR/IR+UV. You want the IR+UV option. And on.

• After exposure you should be able to faintly see the track outline in a light yellow colour on the board.