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What is PCB Printed Circuit Board ?

PCB stands for Printed circuit board. On this board all the
components are soldered and interlinked by the copper tracks. The
PCB can be a single layer and can go up to many layers as a person
want, but most of the software support up to 14 layers.
Most commonly used PCB is a single sided PCB and the components
and conductors on different layers of PCB are connected with
plated-through holes called vias. PCB is designed in the software and
then software file is given to the manufacturer and the rest of the
work is all practical and not in the scope of this article. This article
just covers how to design a PCB of a specific electronic circuit in
software.

PCB Designing In Ares Capture Proteus.


Software Introduction:
Software which we are going to use in this tutorial is Labcenter

electronics release most commonly known as ARES PCB. This is fully


professional software. its student version is also available to
download free but with limited functionality.
This software support up to 14 layers of PCB and it is highly equipped
with all the modern tools which able to make an effective and
accurate PCB. We can change the width of tracks, pads according to
the application. Designers can design the custom board shape. The
Output of this software can have different format selectable by the
designer e.g. PCB can be exported in PDF, JPEG and lots of other
formats.
Its library includes thousands of commonly and rarely uses through
hole and SMD devices. There is also a category for miscellaneous
parts. There is one more very useful tool available by which we can
make footprints of all the devices whom footprints are not available
in the library so we can say that this software covers all the needs of
the PCB designer and strongly recommended by the professionals.
Step by Step PCB Designing Tutorial: (in our example, we will use the
LED Flasher Circuit and design its PCB).
Note: it is considered that you have installed the software and have
basic knowledge of electronics.
Step1.

This black screen is the work place. All your PCB work will come here
and the blue dot which appear in the center of the black gridded
screen is the center of the work place.
Step 2.
Make a list of the components and devices according to your
schematic / electronic circuit.
Note: it is considered that you have already drawn an error free
schematic diagram of the circuit and you want to make the PCB
Design of that schematic circuit.
In this simple example of PCB designing, we are using the below
schematic. This is the basic Electronics LED flasher circuit with one
LED by using 555 Timer and other basic electronic
components.( Detail of the parts can be found in Step 3 ).
Step 3.
Now we have to find the parts. As you can see we need the following
basic electronic components for LED Flasher Circuit where flasher
means continuously ON & OFF.
1.

1) The base for 8 pin 555 Timer IC.

2.

3 Resistor of watt rating ( two are 1k and last one is 10k).

3.

2 axial capacitor (one is 10F electrolytic and second one is


0.01F ceramic Capacitor).

4.

5 MM LED (Red Color).

5.

Power connector.

6.

9V DC Battery.
Each of these parts can be searched by the category in which they fall.
Step 4.
Now click on this button on the left side vertical bar. When you scroll
over it shows package mode.
And when you click on the package mode on the white area you will
see two buttons on which P and L is written.
Step 5.
Now Click on P. When you click on P, New window will appear
and on that window you will find all the part.
As you can see there are categories and types. Selected the desired
category and then select the appropriate type and all the components
matching the above criteria is will show up in the white space as
shown in the above window.
Suppose, we want to search for the resistor of watt. We search that
part like this.
Step 6.

Select RES40 because it is watt resistor.


Double click on that RES40 package and this package will be added
to the left side vertical white space where Packages is written on the
design window.
Like this one.
Now in the same way search of capacitor in the type menu and
choose CAP20.
Now we need 8 pin DIL (Dual in line package) for 555. Search it like
the previous components.
Now last thing you need is the power connector to connect the wires
to the board.
Step 7.
Once all the components are added now you can start routing the
PCB.
Put all the desired components on the workplace like this.
Step 8.
Now you have to connect them according to the schematic.

For connecting all the components, you have to use the wire tool
which is
available on the left side of the window in the vertical bar.
Step 9.
After selecting the track mode, now you can start routing. As you can
see the default pads are very narrow you have to choose the
appropriate pads for the components whom pads are narrow.
Choose pad Mode (As shown below).
Step 10.
After that, put the appropriate pad on all the narrow pad and then
start routing.
Step 11.
Connect the components according to the schematic.In process
Completed PCB Design of LED Flasher Circuit.
Step 12.
Now select the board Edge layer form the left bottom layer selecting
Drop down menu.
Step 13.

After selecting the board edge layer, draw a rectangle around your
PCB art work. This will be your PCB Board dimensions.
Select the rectangle from the left side menu.
This is all about the basic and simple PCB designing, more technical
details will be posted in the further post. Stay tuned.
Also, Dont forget to subscribe.
If you want any suggestion, welcome to
contact RayMing SALLY. Sally
Skype:raypcb15
Emailsales15@raypcb.com

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