Rapid Printed Circuit Board Prototyping

There are many ways to assemble a prototype of an electronic circuit. Commonly used technologies are solderless bread boards that allow you to simply plug in the electronic components and connect them with wires. Another common way is a technique called wire wrap, where a dispensing pen is being used to wrap a thin copper wire around the connection leads of electronic components. A third possibility is to use a pre-configured bread board and solder the components onto the board and then manually laying the traces from pin to pin.

Proto-Mill 15/20

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A more involved technology requires to make a positive film of the traces and pads that need to be connected and the use of a UV light sensitive copper clad board. The next step would be exposing the board to UV light and developing the super imposed image of the traces and pads. A corrosive chemical is then used to etch away the unwanted copper. The professional way of creating a prototype (and most expensive way, too) is to send your design in form of a Gerber file format to a board house and have it manufactured. All of these techniques have its pros and cons. Some are very time consuming, some are expensive, some require the use and disposal of hazardous chemicals. A good alternative is the use of a fairly new technology called: Isolation Engraving/Isolation Milling.

A milling and/or engraving machine is being used to simply isolate the tracks and pads (the interconnections) between the connection leads of the electronic components. Unwanted copper is milled or engraved away to isolate the wanted connections. This technique is quick, precise and inexpensive.