Page 168 - Make Your Own PCBs with EAGLE from Schematic Designs to Finished Boards

FIGURE 6-6 CNC router cutting a PCB.

The process is similar to the photoetching method. Once the PCB artwork is done, the copper
layer is dispatched to the router as if it were a printer. It suffers from the same disadvantage that
double-sided boards are tricky. Because the copper has to be milled off the board where it is not
required, this is another technique that benefits from a ground plane.

Toner Transfer

Another approach to homemade PCB manufacture is toner transfer. In this approach, the PCB layout
is printed onto glossy paper in a laser printer. It is then ironed onto the copper-clad board using a
clothes iron (turn off the steam setting).
The toner then provides sufficient protection to the board to allow it to be etched in the same way

as photoetching.

Summary