xTool S1 and PCB

07.02.26

Circuits

Steps to follow to make PCB

We're not etching a PCB with the xTool laser, but we're transfering the design. Start by cleaning the copper clad board thoroughly with aceton. Then apply a thin layer with acrylic paint. I'm using an airbrush.

These are the steps:

• Design the PCB in your favourite eCAD software. I'm using KiCAD



Click on image to enlarge.



The board design.



3D view - a nice feature in KiAD

Print the board with these settings:

• Include layers: B.CU, Edge.Cuts.
• Outputmode: Black and white
• Drill marks: Small mark.
• Check Print mirrored. (Bottom copper => Mirrored.)
• Scale 1:1
• Print to a PDF - file.
• Import board in Gimp.
• File=>Open=>your pdf
• Open Pages as Image.
• Click Image => Crop to Content.
• Click Colours => Invert
• Export as... and export the file.
• Import the PDF image in xTool Studio.

xTool S1 settings:

• Power: 30%.
• Speed: 250mm/s.
• Pass: 1.
• Bitmap mode: Grayscale.
• Lines pr cm: 300.
• Engraving mode: Bi-directional.

After laser engraving.

Now it's time for the Silkscreen.

Print these layers:

• F.Silkscreen.
• Edge.Cuts.
• Black and white.
• Scale: 1:1.

This is the top layer, so it must not be printed mirrored.

xTool settings for the F.Silkscreen.

• Power: 25%.
• Speed: 250 mm/s.
• Pass: 1.
• Bitmap mode: Greyscale.
• Lines pr cm: 180.
• Engraving mode: Bi-directional.

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