I want to know how to etch Printed Circuit Board (pcb)?

Answer 1

Do it yourself type?

If so, believe it or not, radio shack still carries a do it yourself kit.
Model: 276-1576
Catalog #: 276-1576

Obviously follow the directions but basically:

1 Use the provided Pen to draw out your circuit paths. Remember the parts mount through the top so the actual circuit paths need to be laid out with that in mind. I have seen many a foiled home projects because the board was laid without taking this in to consideration. When the board was flipped over to install the parts then pin orders are wrong for the chips or transistors end up backwards, etc.

2 Then put your board in the etch bath.

Couple tricks.
A) Make sure the board is really clean before drawing out the paths.
B)Make your paths wide enough so a little under cutting by the etch won't cause an open.
C)Keep the etch bath warm.
D)If you have an old fish tank air bubbler you can poke multiple holes along the length of some tube to cause agitation in the etch solution. Or you can gently rock it.
E)Make Ground or negative paths big and around the perimeter of the board, the less you have to etch the easier it will be and the better the boards will look.

It doesn't make the best boards but if you need a simple board or two it all right.

There used to be photo copy transfer sheets available for making circuit boards. Basically you loaded this special clear sheet in to a photo copier and Photo copied your design on to it. Then you would Iron on the "toner" that the photo copier deposited on the clear sheet on to the board. The toner would block the etch. It allowed one to make better looking boards but you still have all the problems of making a PCB at home, over and under etching.

I built a couple home electronic crossovers using both methods. After much trial and error I was able to make a few passable boards.

If you need more than a few have them made for you.

Answer 2

You can buy a kit, complete with step-by-step instructions from Radio Shack