PCB-ETCHING MACHINE
PCB Etching Machine is a tool used in electronics manufacturing to create printed circuit boards (PCBs) by chemically removing unwanted copper from a copperclad board.
Created on 16th July 2023
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PCB-ETCHING MACHINE
PCB Etching Machine is a tool used in electronics manufacturing to create printed circuit boards (PCBs) by chemically removing unwanted copper from a copperclad board.
The problem PCB-ETCHING MACHINE solves
PROBLEM STATEMENT:- PCB machines are not being predominantly utilized by small -scale industries and Institutions due to their high cost and high labour requirement.
SOLUTION:- "IoT-Based PCB Etching Machine" specifically designed for small-scale PCB industries. The Iot based PCB Etching Machine combines the power of web technology with servo motor to create a user-friendly and efficient system for precise PCB etching. It bridges the gap between digital control and physical processes, offering an innovative solution for PCB prototyping and small-scale production.
METHODOLOGY: The base of the project lies on ESP-32 microcontroller along with the servo motor. The high-torque standard servo can rotate etching tank. The etching tank & PCB Holder will be in suitable arrangement to ensure the etching solution cover PCB surface evenly. The firmware will be written using Arduino IDE. To enable IoT control, a web server will be designed to facilitate remote management via Wi-Fi connectivity. PCB Etching Machine is a tool used in electronics manufacturing to create printed circuit boards (PCBs) by chemically removing unwanted copper from a copperclad board. The machine uses a combination of chemicals and physical agitation to selectively remove the copper, leaving behind the desired circuit pattern. These machines are predominantly utilized by large-scale industries due to their high cost. Small scale industries & institutions couldn’t afford these machines. Hence, use unhygienic ways & manual labour to accomplish PCB etching tasks. So, our team is working to develop a sustainable solution i.e., "IoT Based PCB Etching Machine" specifically designed for small-scale PCB designing. It can be controlled by both IoT & manual switches, providing flexibility and convenience.
KEY FEATURES :
• Cost-effective
• Sustainable
• Reduce labour
• Time Saving
• Hygienic
• Easy to use & easily approachable
Challenges we ran into
During the development of an IoT-based PCB etching system, we encountered several challenges and hurdles. One specific bug we faced was related to the communication between the IoT device and the PCB etching machine. The bug caused intermittent data loss and disrupted the etching process.
To overcome this hurdle, we took the following steps:
IDENTIFYING THE SOURCE OF THE BUG : We started by analyzing the communication protocols, hardware connections, and software components involved in the system. We carefully examined the code responsible for transmitting and receiving data between the IoT device and the etching machine.
DEBUGGIN AND TESTING: We used debugging tools and techniques to trace the bug and understand its behavior. This involved printing debug messages, monitoring data flow, and using logging tools to identify potential issues. We also performed extensive testing with different input scenarios to replicate and observe the bug. Updating firmware and drivers: After identifying the bug's root cause, we focused on updating the firmware and drivers of both the IoT device and the etching machine. This ensured that the latest bug fixes and improvements were applied to the system components, addressing any known issues.
OPTIMIZING DATA TRANSMISSION : We examined the data transmission process to identify potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies. By optimizing the communication protocol and data transfer mechanisms, we were able to enhance the reliability and stability of the system.
IMPLEMENTING ERROR HANDLING AND RECOVERY MECHANISMS: We added error handling and recovery mechanisms to the software. This included implementing data integrity checks, retransmission mechanisms for lost packets, and fallback procedures in case of communication failures. These measures helped to minimize the impact of the bug and provide a more robust system. By following these steps, we were able to identify and overcome the specific bug in the IoT-based PCB etching system,
Tracks Applied (1)
Everything else
Technologies used