FAB ACADEMY 2025 shivraj.chhirr@gmail.com

Electronics Production

About this week

In this assignment, we learned about electronics production, including the process of PCB milling and operating a PCB milling machine. The key objectives of this assignment are as follows:

  • Understanding the basics of electronics production.
  • Learning how to operate the PCB milling machine and its software.
  • Gaining knowledge about PCB track sizes and their importance.
  • Learning how to generate the toolpath for a PCB design.
  • Understanding the soldering process for assembling electronic components.



    • Heroshot of the Assignment





    Objctive of the Assignment


    1.Group Assignment -

  • characterize the design rules for your in-house PCB production process
  • Submit a PCB design to a board house


    • 2. Indivisual Assignment -

  • make and test a microcontroller development board that you designed
  • extra credit: Make it with another process

    • What is Electronics Production ?

    Electronic production involves designing and manufacturing small electronic components such as resistors, transistors, and PCBs. This process includes designing the PCB, printing it, and assembling all the necessary components onto the board. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that all components are functioning correctly. Once the entire circuit is built, it undergoes thorough testing to verify its performance.



    Several steps such as : -

  • PCB Manufacturing
  • Components Assembly
  • Components Soldring
  • Testing the components
  • Final testing of the circuit



    • PCB (Printed Circuit Board)

    PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is a board that provides a physical platform and electrical connections for electronic components. PCBs are used in various devices such as cell phones, TVs, computers, and many more.

    Reference Photo




    Click here to visit our group assignment.



    Individual Assignment

  • make and test a microcontroller development board that you designed
  • extra credit: Make it with another process




    • PCB Milling Machine SRM20

    Roland MonoFab SRM-20 is a compact and precise desktop CNC milling machine designed for PCB fabrication, prototyping, and small-scale manufacturing. It is widely used in electronics production, engineering, and education for milling PCBs, plastic, and soft metals.



    Reference Photo



    V Panel Software for Operate PCB Milling machine SRM20

    VPanel (Virtual Panel) is the control software used for operating the Roland MonoFab SRM-20 CNC milling machine. It provides a user-friendly interface to manage and control the milling process.




    MODS CE

    "Mods CE" is an online platform used for generating toolpaths from "SVG files" for PCB milling and other fabrication processes. It allows users to convert design files into machine-readable formats, ensuring precise cutting and engraving.



    Microntroller

    I selected the XAO ESP32-C3 module to design my microcontroller because it comes with built-in Bluetooth and WiFi. Additionally, its pinout is easy to understand.



    Components Used

  • 1.XAO ESP32-C3 Module
  • 2. Omron Push Button Switch
  • 3. SMD LED (Surface Mount Device LED)
  • 4. Pin Header (1x3)
  • 5. Pin Header (1x4)
  • 6. 1KΩ Resistor
  • 7. R499Ω Resistor




    • Generating toolpaths using MODS CE.

    Toolpaths for Trace file



    Open Mods and select PNG file and load it. Once the file is loaded, it will be visible on the interface.

    Now, set the XYZ origin to 0, as the machine will be operated through V Panel software. Adjust the settings accurately as per the reference in the provided image.


    X, Y, and Z axes are set

    After completing all the settings, click on Calculate to proceed.


    After the calculation, the trace cut file will be generated, and a .rml file will be automatically downloaded. To view the trace cut file, click on the "View" option.

    Trace cut file view



    Use the same process to generate the toolpath for the edge cut file.




    Generating G - Code using V panel software.



    First, open the V-Panel software.

    Setting the machine's origin point.


    Now, the machine's XYZ origin has been successfully set.

    click on the Cut option and load the file.


    After that, the file has been successfully loaded. Click on the "Output" option to start the cutting process.

    Now, the milling machine has started operating.



    Setting up the milling process and starting the cutting operation.



    Inserting the 1/64 bit for tracing and started PCB milling machine

    Trace cut file cutting completed.


    Replacing the bit with 1/32 for edge cutting and started PCB milling machine

    Edge cut file cutting completed.


    Cleaning the cut PCB with a vacuum cleaner.

    Safely removing the cut PCB from the machine.


    Safely removed the PCB.

    Properly cleaned the PCB, inspected the traces for any cuts, and checked the size.


    A short video of the PCB during cutting process.




    Understanding how the components function.

    Ohm's formula for calculating resistance



    Components used in PCB and their work

  • 1.XAO ESP32-C3 Module – Microcontroller with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, suitable for IoT applications.
  • 2. Omron Push Button Switch – A high-quality push button for user input.
  • 3. SMD LED (Surface Mount Device LED) – Used for status indication and blinking functions.
  • 4. Pin Header (1x3) – For Sensor Interface – Allows easy connection of external sensors.
  • 5. Pin Header (1x4) – For Display Interface – Used for connecting an external display module.
  • 6. 1KΩ Resistor – For Protection of Push Button – Limits current flow to ensure safe operation.
  • 7. R499Ω Resistor – For Protection of LED – Prevents excessive current from damaging the LED.




    • Equipment for Component's assembly and soldering



    Soldering Station





    Magnifying Glass

    Knife

    Curved Precision Tweezer

    Straight Precision Tweezer

    De-Soldering Pump




    Multimeter

    PCB Holder Magnifying Glass

    soldring iron

    Wire Cutter

    Wire Stripper



    Components Soldering



    Component's assembly and soldering.



    Final Microntroller Complete




    Programming the microcontroller.



    First, connect the Microntroller board to the device.

    Now, go to the 'File' menu, select the 'Examples' option, click on 'Basics,' and choose 'Blink


    After clicking on the 'Blink' option, the LED blinking code will open now update the code as pr microntroller board pinout

    Upload the code


    Code uploading finished

    Now the LED started blinking



    Original File Here

    In .rml Formet

    Trace File here

    Edge Cut File here




    In PNG Formet

    Trace File here

    Edge Cut File here






    Conclusion

    This week, we successfully milled our microcontroller PCB using a PCB milling machine. After cutting, we thoroughly checked the trace connectivity to ensure proper circuit flow.
    Once the connectivity was verified, we proceeded with component placement and soldering. During this process, we also learned about the various components and their functions.
    After assembling all the components, we tested the microcontroller to confirm its proper operation. Finally, we programmed the microcontroller and successfully made the LED blink, validating the entire process.
    This hands-on experience strengthened our understanding of PCB fabrication, assembly, and microcontroller programming.