Customer Reviews

Fabricating Printed Circuit Boards (Demystifying Technology) (cd-rom included)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great book if you want to make your own PCBs at home or in small production runs. Jon does a great job of explaining what you are doing, why you are doing it, and most importantly the details of how to do it. JV's book gives you complete "cookbook" details of how to make PCBs using a variety of techniques. Put another way, this is the only book you will need for making PCBs in small lots.

This is a 236 page book. The first 106 pages describe the author's preferred method of making PCB's using photo sensitized boards. Other DIY methods are mentioned in passing and rejected as being flawed. The next 118 pages describe the workings and construction of a data logger that the author's company makes. The final 12 pages are the glossary and index. If you're into building the author's data logger you've got the right book but for reading a thorough description of PCB methods (as the title and ed. review would lead you to believe) I believe you'll be disappointed. Bait and switch.

this book clearly describes the steps needed to fab a PC board in your own cellar. Takes you through every step of the process and introduces you to most of the industry standard terms. Another reviewer mentioned that this book doesn't talk about the current state of the art in the PCB industry. Thats because the book is written for the home hobbyist wanting to make a PCB for themselves. If you need 3mil laser etched buried vias, hire a consultant. If you need PCBs quick and easy, you wont be dissapointed.

The author claims that he, "developed a simple and fast method of fabricating printed circuit boards that doesn't require specialized equipment." If he did, he certainly didn't present it in this book. The SEVEN pages that had anything to do with making PCBs presented one limited method and was based entirely on materials commonly available from electronics hobby stores. And the long list of other materials the author considers necessary (jeweler's drill press, special drill bits, overly-complicated exposure cone, additional software, etchant tank, etc.) makes his version the most expensive I've seen.

I've since made several nice PCBs and can plainly state that this book is a dead-end that was plastered with a grossly inappropriate title. Save yourself some aggrivation- buy the supplies and follow the directions. This book won't help.

All the info in this book can be found for free on the internet. OK to have if you want a bound volume on the subject matter.

This book only describes the basic of PCB fabrication. Does not update to current and latest technology. Only recommend this book if you are looking to build PCB from home.