Circuit Pens ?

Hello

It's time to design my PCB but as you know, sending the design to a factory or other shop is TOOO expensive, so I have to create it my self.

I have single and double sided board (with holes) and I want to make some connections between arduino an other parts. I saw that there are some "circuit pens" that might make our life easier. But in all videos all the circuits were created in paper, not pcb boards.

Any suggestion which one (if any) is proper for PCB drawing ?

thanks

$10, $15, $20 for ten 5cm x 5cm, 5cm x 10cm, or 10cm x 10cm boards too expensive? I don't think so:

There are other options also. Oshpark comes up a lot in discussions.
Or use wirewrap sockets and wirewrap your circuit up.


Wirewrap tool, wire, sockets here:
http://www.king-cart.com/phoenixent/category=SOCKETS+WIRE+WRAP+DIP+%2526+SIP

Yeap. Now I saw more carefully that site. Yeap, good prices. However my PCB must have 7x7cm dimensions becouse it will be fit in a specific constuction. I will ask if they can create custom size pcbs.

Using wires is no a solution in my case. (no reliable connections).

However, becouse many people might be intersted, is there any good circuit pencil in the market ? (for pcb)

They can, mentioned sizes are max dimensions. So 7x7 is less then 10x10 (but more then 5x5 or 5x10) so you pay that :slight_smile:

Using wires is no a solution in my case. (no reliable connections).

Wire wrap is more reliable than a PCB.

Their is this:- lumocolor permanent pen etch resist although it tends to dry out once it is open.

Then there is this method of construction vero pen the insulation melts as you solder the wires. You also need these to make things neat wiring combs I used to use this system extensively and still do for appropriate circuits.

Then there is this press-n-peel-transfers-pack

Copper tape might work better:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/led-robot-pop-up-card-

And here is a pen from Sparkfun, with video:

Circuit pens don't usually end up giving you a satisfactory connection. You end up with high-resistance, fragile connections. The exorbitantly expensive ones with silver in them are vaguely usable. They're what you use when the alternatives aren't usable (like if you can't solder to something without destroying it), or when you're making simple demo projects for kids. The black circuit pen/paint is IME totally unsatisfactory.

Much better off with soldered (or wire-wrapped, if you prefer) connections with real wires.

Circuit pens don't usually end up giving you a satisfactory connection.

The pens I posted about are for etch resistance, not for supplying the conducting tracks. As you said that is not for soldering to.