How to convert a schematic diagram to a circuit board?

Question

I have a schematic diagram that I would like convert to a printed circuit board diagram so I can make it. Is there some software or a tutorial that someone knows of so I can learn how to do this? Or if someone was to do it for me what would be the expected cost? This is the diagram I want converted http://www.headwize.com/images/rychke2.gif

Also what is the white board in this picture called so that I can go and buy one? - note thta it is not my website http://members.home.nl/b.vandam/lonely/i2ceeprom2.jpg

Answer 1

You can use pcb software, there are many types from free to 10's of thousands.
Cost looks like around 60-90 bucks to have someone make it for you.
Thats a bread board

Answer 2

There are plain circuit boards that can be customized. Its a plain board with copper on one side. With it, you can use a masking tape lining the circuit according to the schematic. Cut the masking tape to the desired width. Then use a ferric acid solution, soak the board for a few minutes. The uncovered part will be removed. And you will end up with a circuit. Drill holes for wathever components you will add. You can then solder the components on the circuit.

Note on ferric acid: use plastic container only to pour on!!! Be very careful, avoid contact with any part of the body.

Another option is a pre-drilled circuit board. The holes are lined up in a grid and will have copper sorrounding the holes. To complete the circuit, you can use copper wires (insulated to avoid short) to bridge other components.

I would go with the second option - inexpensive, the first one is a lot of hassle and dangerous and may not turn out as well as you wanted.

I don't know how much you know about the symbols, but at least learn the basics of the components. The schematic looks pretty simple and basic. Pick up a book. I can tell already that you need 24 resistors with different ohms, some switches a couple of batteries etc.

The white board is the circuit board. You don't need to have the exact same thing, as long as the flow is the same, the result is the same.

Answer 3

The white board is called an experimentation board, although other names may exist.

Best way of converting a diagram to a circuit board: depends.

If the circuit is relatively simple and you can not make your own prints, you have to do it manually.

If it is more complex and/or you have a way of getting the print or making your own prints, it's easier: Just make the correct print and put all the components on it.

You will probably have to go for the first method.
Re-draw the schematic, starting with the chips instead of the amplifiers (triangles) in your schema.
Draw the entire chips, find out which pins are which, and see what needs to be connected to what. Software can help.
Then you can build it on a standard print.

Answer 4

There is no easy way of doing it - good PCB layout is a skilled job and takes years of practice. Also looking at that circuit, you would be better off making the low current section on vero board, and using wiring techniques on the power transistors as you will need substantial heat sinks. A standard power transistor in a TO220 package has a thermal resistance of about 67C/W. so assuming you are using it at 50% load (2.5A) and have 13.8V on the output and 15V on the input thats a temperature rise of (15.0-13.8)x2.5x67=200C and most transistors dont like anything above 125C and work best at below 80C. The current balancing resistors (R5, R7, R9 etc) are also going to get hot so also need a heatsink. Basically the design works on paper but has a high risk of going bang if you dont build it correctly. That does not just mean no mistakes on wiring it also means no mistakes on the thermal problems and no mistakes on selecting the regulator and transformer. Also remember the tab on a transistor is connected to one of the legs so make sure you dont cause a fault by connecting all the transistor tabs together through the heat sink. Heat sinks are not cheap for professional ones and you may need several smaller ones costing $10 each. With something like this it can easily be the heat sinks that cost most, with the case coming next and the electronic components actually being the cheapest part of the build. In short I would advise finding out how much a decent power supply is to buy as it may cost you less than building one using this design. I would suggest trying to find a radio rally in your area as sometimes you can get one silly cheap - I picked a really good one up for £25 ($40) and that is certainly cheaper than building the power supply in that diagram. If you want to learn to build or even design electronic equipment and i'm guessing you have not done much yet, then that power supply would be almost impossible to get right without a lot of help. I would suggest spending a lot less and get a simple circuit to practice with on vero board (strip board) as you can make simple circuits for under $1 if you know where to get cheap components. Once you have mastered strip-board layout then consider more expensive stuff as losing $1 if it goes wrong is a lot better than loosing $10.

Answer 5

The white board is a solderless prototyping board or block and you can buy copper boards the same shape if you want to solder it up.
http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T072/1947.pdf
http://www.williamson-labs.com/480_prot.htm

The problem with doing a printed circuit board design is that you schematic has no power connections and the design elements come in packages of 2, 4 or 6. So design starts with selecting chips and determining which element within the chip represents each part of the schematic. In some cases a very short copper lead on the board will connect two pins on one chip and in other cases a lead has to run between pins to another chip. You have to provide ground and power to each chip - all in 2 dimensions for simple boards or as few jumpers as possible - and you have to add the bypass capacitors for transient control.