Copy board

1. Overview

PCB (Printed Circuit Board), Chinese name is printed circuit board, also known as printed circuit board, printed circuit board, is an important electronic component, the support of electronic components, and the provider of electrical connections for electronic components. Because it is made by electronic printing, it is called a "printed" circuit board. PCB copying means that on the premise that there are physical electronic products and physical circuit boards, reverse research and development technology is used to reversely analyze the circuit board, and the PCB files, bill of materials (BOM) files, schematic files and other technical files of the original product and PCB silk screen production files are restored 1:1, and then these technical files and production files are used to make PCB boards, solder components, fly probe tests, and debug circuit boards to complete the complete replication of the original circuit board sample.

2. Definition

PCB copying is also often referred to as circuit board copying, circuit board cloning, circuit board replication, PCB cloning, PCB reverse design or PCB reverse R&D in the industry. There are many definitions of PCB copying in the industry and academia, but none of them are complete. If we want to give an accurate definition of PCB copying, we can refer to the statement of the authoritative PCB copying laboratory in China: PCB copying means that on the premise of having physical electronic products and physical circuit boards, reverse R&D technical means are used to reversely analyze the circuit board, and the PCB files, bill of materials (BOM) files, schematic files and other technical files of the original product and PCB silk screen production files are restored 1:1, and then these technical files and production files are used to make PCB boards, solder components, fly probe tests, and debug circuit boards to complete the complete replication of the original circuit board sample. Since electronic products are composed of various types of circuit boards as the core control part to work, the process of PCB copying can complete the extraction of a full set of technical information of any electronic product and the imitation and cloning of products.

Many people do not know what PCB copying is. Some people even think that PCB copying is counterfeiting. In everyone's understanding, counterfeiting means imitation, but PCB copying is definitely not imitation. The purpose of PCB copying is to learn the latest foreign electronic circuit design technology, and then absorb excellent design solutions, and then use them to develop and design better products.

PCB copying is a kind of reverse research technology, that is, through a series of reverse research technologies, to obtain the PCB design circuit of an excellent electronic product, as well as the circuit schematic and BOM table. Through this reverse research method, a product that others need two or three years to develop, we may only need one month to learn the results that others have spent two or three years to develop through the reverse research of PCB copying, which has played a very important role in promoting our developing countries to catch up with the world. Moreover, the development of reverse research technology has also promoted the technological breakthroughs of those development teams. The vigorous development of reverse research technology has also led to the continuous updating of forward research technology. Because of this competitive relationship between forward research and reverse research, the development of electronic technology has been changing with each passing day in recent years. Electronic products are almost updated once a year, and the speed of updating and replacing electronic products will only get faster and faster. Because PCB copying has lowered the threshold of electronic technology. PCB copying has enabled more and more developing countries to quickly step onto the forefront of high-tech electronic technology and study electronic technology together with developed countries. The larger this research team is, the faster the world's electronic technology can develop.

3. Misunderstandings about copying boards

Many people have misunderstandings about the concept of PCB copying. In fact, with the continuous development and deepening of the copying industry, today's PCB copying concept has been extended to a wider range, no longer limited to simple circuit board copying and cloning, but also involving secondary development of products and research and development of new products. For example, through the analysis of existing product technical documents, understanding and discussion of design ideas, structural characteristics, process technology, etc., it can provide feasibility analysis and competitive reference for the research and development of new products, assist research and development design units to keep up with the latest technology development trends, timely adjust and improve product design plans, and develop the most competitive new products in the market. At the same time, the process of PCB copying can achieve rapid updates and upgrades and secondary development of various types of electronic products through the extraction and partial modification of technical data files. According to the file diagrams and schematic diagrams extracted by copying boards, professional designers can also optimize the design and modify the PCB according to the wishes of customers, and can also add new functions to the products or redesign the functional features on this basis. In this way, products with new functions will appear at the fastest speed and in a brand-new attitude, not only with their own intellectual property rights, but also gain opportunities in the market, bringing double benefits to customers.

4. Copy board process

In simple terms, the technical implementation process of PCB copying is to scan the circuit board to be copied first, record the detailed location of components, then remove the components to make a bill of materials (BOM) and arrange material procurement. The empty board is scanned into a picture and processed by the copying software to restore it to a PCB board file, and then the PCB file is sent to the plate-making factory for board making. After the board is made, the purchased components are soldered to the made PCB board, and then the circuit board is tested and debugged.

The specific technical steps are as follows:

The first step is to get a PCB, first record the model, parameters, and position of all the components on paper, especially the direction of the diode, triode, and the direction of the IC gap. It is best to take two photos of the position of the components with a digital camera. Many PCB circuit boards are getting more and more advanced, and some of the diodes and triodes on them are not visible at all if you don't pay attention.

The second step is to remove all devices and remove the tin in the PAD hole. Clean the PCB with alcohol and put it in the scanner. When scanning, the scanner needs to slightly increase the scanning pixels to get a clearer image. Then use water gauze paper to lightly polish the top and bottom layers until the copper film is shiny, put them into the scanner, start PHOTOSHOP, and scan the two layers separately in color. Note that the PCB must be placed horizontally and vertically in the scanner, otherwise the scanned image cannot be used.

The third step is to adjust the contrast and brightness of the canvas to make the part with copper film and the part without copper film have a strong contrast, then convert the secondary image to black and white, check whether the lines are clear, if not, repeat this step. If it is clear, save the image as black and white BMP format files TOP BMP and BOT BMP. If you find that there is a problem with the graphics, you can use PHOTOSHOP to repair and correct it.

The fourth step is to convert the two BMP format files into PROTEL format files respectively, and call the two layers in PROTEL. If the positions of the PAD and VIA of the two layers are basically overlapped, it means that the previous steps have been done well. If there is a deviation, repeat the third step. Therefore, PCB copying is a very patient job, because a small problem will affect the quality and the matching degree after copying.

Step 5, convert the BMP of the TOP layer to TOP PCB. Note that it should be converted to the SILK layer, which is the yellow layer. Then you can trace the lines on the TOP layer and place the components according to the drawing in step 2. Delete the SILK layer after drawing. Repeat until all layers are drawn.

Step 6, import the TOP PCB and BOT PCB in PROTEL and combine them into one drawing.

Step 7, use a laser printer to print the TOP LAYER and BOTTOM LAYER on transparent film (1:1 ratio), put the film on the PCB, and compare whether there is any error. If there is no error, you are done.

A copy board that is the same as the original board is born, but this is only half done. It is also necessary to test whether the electronic technical performance of the copy board is the same as the original board. If it is the same, it is really done.

Note: If it is a multi-layer board, you need to carefully polish the inner layer and repeat the third to fifth steps of copying. Of course, the naming of the graphics is also different, depending on the number of layers. Generally, double-sided board copying is much simpler than multi-layer board. Multi-layer copying is prone to misalignment, so multi-layer board copying must be particularly careful and cautious (the internal conductive holes and non-conductive holes are prone to problems).

Double-sided board copying method:

1. Scan the upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board and save two BMP pictures.

2. Open the copying software Quickpcb2005, click "File" "Open Base Map", and open a scanned picture. Use PAGEUP to enlarge the screen, see the pad, press PP to place a pad, see the line and press PT to route... Just like a child tracing, trace it in this software, click "Save" to generate a B2P file.

3. Click "File" "Open Base Map" again to open another layer of scanned color picture;

4. Click "File" "Open" again to open the previously saved B2P file. We can see that the board we just copied is superimposed on this picture - the same PCB board, the holes are in the same position, but the line connections are different. So we press "Options" - "Layer Settings", here to turn off the display of the top layer of lines and silk screens, leaving only the vias of multiple layers.

5. The vias on the top layer are in the same position as the vias on the bottom layer picture, and then trace the bottom layer of lines like tracing in childhood. Then click "Save" - the B2P file now has the top and bottom layers of data.

6. Click "File" "Export as PCB File" to get a PCB file with two layers of data. You can modify the board or generate a schematic or send it directly to the PCB board factory for production

Multilayer board copying method:

In fact, the four-layer board copying is to copy two double-sided boards repeatedly, and the six-layer board copying is to copy three double-sided boards repeatedly... The reason why multi-layer boards are daunting is that we cannot see the internal routing. How can we see the inner world of a precise multi-layer board? - Layering.

There are many ways to solve the problem of layering, such as chemical corrosion and tool stripping, but it is easy to over-layer and lose data. Experience tells us that sandpaper polishing is the most accurate.

After we have copied the top and bottom layers of the PCB, we usually use sandpaper to polish it, grinding off the surface layer to reveal the inner layer; sandpaper is the ordinary sandpaper sold in hardware stores. Generally, the PCB is laid flat, and then the sandpaper is pressed and rubbed evenly on the PCB (if the board is small, you can also lay the sandpaper flat and press the PCB with one finger to rub it on the sandpaper). The key point is to lay it flat so that it can be polished evenly.

Silk screen and green oil usually fall off with one wipe, and copper wire and copper skin need to be wiped several times. Generally speaking, the Bluetooth board can be wiped in a few minutes, and the memory stick takes about ten minutes; of course, if you have more strength, it will take less time; if you have less strength, it will take more time.

Grinding the board is the most common solution for layering at present, and it is also the most economical. We can find a piece of discarded PCB to try it. In fact, grinding the board is not technically difficult, but it is a bit boring and takes some effort. Don't worry about grinding the board through your fingers.

5. The value of copying boards

Specifically, the value of PCB copying boards is reflected in the following aspects:

From the perspective of enterprises

Cloning can help enterprises quickly update and keep up with the latest trends. Complete the launch of products in the shortest time and with the lowest development cost. And with the support of today's nearly perfect electronic cloning technology, product quality is strongly guaranteed.

From the perspective of user experience

Good quality and low price are its most prominent characteristics, which are easy for the general public to accept. It can not only enrich people's lives and experience the new feeling brought by fashion and trends, but also win more profits for enterprises and enhance their competitiveness in the industry.

For some specific industries or research institutes

Copying boards is an effective and necessary means. It can quickly overcome technical barriers, promote the development of forward research, and narrow the gap with advanced technologies in developed countries.

From the perspective of copying board technology

Copying boards is not a simple imitation or copy. It belongs to the field of reverse research. By overcoming the technology of the original machine and mastering its performance and application, secondary development can be carried out, that is, on the basis of fully understanding its schematic diagram, its functions can be deleted to achieve products that meet their own needs. Not only can it circumvent "intellectual property rights", but it can also quickly create its own brand, with a short development cycle, low cost and significant benefits.

From the perspective of the overall industry

It is conducive to accelerating the development of the overall industry. As cloning technology develops faster and faster and becomes more and more perfect, electronic engineers are also actively seeking ways to make the latest products maintain their competitiveness in the market for a long time and enhance product differentiation. On the one hand, this promotes the research of forward technology, and on the other hand, it also gives reverse research a broader development space, and also brings more opportunities to electronic companies.