How to easily convert circuit diagram to PCB layout?

Question

http://www.eeweb.com/project/momename_garaipoom/simple-high-current-power-supply-for-ham-radio
Can someone teach me how to do this easily.

Answer 1

there are many programs out there just for this. most are commercial products costing several $1000 and take long time to familiarize with. some of them are offered as demo version that can work but has limited PCB size, number of components that can be used in a schematic, and of course what this can be used for (education and private, not to design something that you will sell to others). but for few years now there are some free alternatives. some are propriatery. there is also very good open source product called Kicad. it is small and fast and easy to learn.



regardless of the product you use, you need to make a schematic of what you want, assign component values and package to components and then you can make PCB layout.



when you are done with your design, you can generate gerber files. this is type of files that PCB manufacturers use to produce boards. gerber (and echelon) is industrial standard and any PCB shop on this planet accepts this as a default file type.



if you need help and want to learn more or ask questions, join electronic forum(s) such as

http://www.electro-tech-online.com/

http://www.mouser.com/

Answer 2

The best way to learn is to just try making a PCB. Start with something simple, and this power supply looks simple enough so try making a 5 amp supply.



PCB's can be made with a number of layers 1,2 or 4 are the most common. The top and bottom of a pcb count as a layer. You can etch a PCB youself if its a single side or double sided PCB (1 or 2 layer) anything else requires specialized manufacturing techniques done by pros. This doesn't stop you from designing the board.



FREE design software is available from several PCB manufacturers but the hook is that you can only get your board made by that one company. I like to be able to shop arround and use different manufacturers and for that reason I use "DipTrace" to design my boards. There is also a free version of diptrace for hobbist use that limits you to 1 or 2 sided boards.



www.diptrace.com.



The steps to make a PCB are as follows:



1.) Have a designed and tested circuit you wish to build. No sense in making a PCB for a design that needs to be modified. So build and test a prototype first.

Building a prototype also has the advantage of making you get all of the physical parts you need to build the circuit. This help you size the pad layouts for the PCB for the components you will be using.



2.) Schematic capture, this is just a fancy way of saying you have to draw the schematic in the software. This is where you electrically lay out your design and assign information abou tthe physical component to the schematic symbol. For example IC1 on your schematic might be defined as a 555 timer in a 8-pin DIP package as opposed to an 8 pin SOIC package The difference is one is a through hold component and the other is a smaller surface mount , two different packages for the same type of part.



This sounds harder than it really is because all you have to do is select your components for a predefined library, The library might have several 555 timer IC's already defined you just have to pick the right one for the package you will be using on th epcb.



3.) Once you have completed schematic capture and defined all of the parts with values and package information its time to start the board layout. With diptrace you expore the schematic to another program within the suite for laying out the board and traces.



4.)You define the size of the PCB, then position components where you think they sould go and on which side of the board. Decide ho many layers you will be using then start laying out traces with an auto router and/or manually routing.





Eventually you end up witgh a finished design . and you export design files (called gerber files) which are text files of CNC instructions used by a design shop to make your board.

Answer 3

There is no easy way of doing it - good PCB layout is a skilled job and takes years of practice.



Also looking at that circuit, you would be better off making the low current section on vero board, and using wiring techniques on the power transistors as you will need substantial heat sinks. A standard power transistor in a TO220 package has a thermal resistance of about 67C/W. so assuming you are using it at 50% load (2.5A) and have 13.8V on the output and 15V on the input thats a temperature rise of (15.0-13.8)x2.5x67=200C and most transistors dont like anything above 125C and work best at below 80C. The current balancing resistors (R5, R7, R9 etc) are also going to get hot so also need a heatsink.



Basically the design works on paper but has a high risk of going bang if you dont build it correctly. That does not just mean no mistakes on wiring it also means no mistakes on the thermal problems and no mistakes on selecting the regulator and transformer. Also remember the tab on a transistor is connected to one of the legs so make sure you dont cause a fault by connecting all the transistor tabs together through the heat sink.



Heat sinks are not cheap for professional ones and you may need several smaller ones costing $10 each. With something like this it can easily be the heat sinks that cost most, with the case coming next and the electronic components actually being the cheapest part of the build.



In short I would advise finding out how much a decent power supply is to buy as it may cost you less than building one using this design. I would suggest trying to find a radio rally in your area as sometimes you can get one silly cheap - I picked a really good one up for £25 ($40) and that is certainly cheaper than building the power supply in that diagram.



If you want to learn to build or even design electronic equipment and i'm guessing you have not done much yet, then that power supply would be almost impossible to get right without a lot of help. I would suggest spending a lot less and get a simple circuit to practice with on vero board (strip board) as you can make simple circuits for under $1 if you know where to get cheap components. Once you have mastered strip-board layout then consider more expensive stuff as losing $1 if it goes wrong is a lot better than loosing $10.

Answer 4

"ORCAD" is the most famous pcb design tool or s/w.....google for it! and u can even search and find other computer aided design softwares and get the one which u think has best features