I would like to create an area on my PCB where you can write on with a pen. Is this possible, and if so how should I do it?
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6 Answers
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Assuming white silk screen, just draw a solid box on the silkscreen layer.
You can then write on it with a permanent marker.
Here is an example from a board I made a while back:
That was before I wrote on it.
answered Feb 15, 2019 at 18:11
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9\$\begingroup\$ A word of caution: if you do any manual rework and cleaning be careful to keep the solvents away from your "permanent" markings \$\endgroup\$– rymoCommented Feb 15, 2019 at 20:06
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6\$\begingroup\$ @rymo Converse of that: You can use normal PCB cleaning supplies to erase pen markings. \$\endgroup\$– HearthCommented Feb 15, 2019 at 21:30
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9\$\begingroup\$ Don't use a "permanent" marker, but an oil-based paint pen instead. They're much more resistant to solvents. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Feb 16, 2019 at 1:03
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2\$\begingroup\$ use an engraver for more permanent markings \$\endgroup\$– jsotolaCommented Feb 16, 2019 at 1:16
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A common practice is to leave a square area on your PCB, filled with white silkscreen as a background. If you would like to write on the PCB with something other than a permanent felt marker (e.g. a ballpoint pen), a paper adhesive label could be placed over-top of the area.
If you use an adhesive label, make sure that it's applied after reflow/soldering.
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Yes. You can write on basically any part of a PCB with a permanent marker. If you want, you can also use your silkscreen layer to provide e.g. a white background, or checkmark boxes etc.
This is pretty common, eg. for boards that go through manual QA.
answered Feb 15, 2019 at 18:12
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If you use a sticker, make sure it doesn't go near any high voltage sections. The adhesive can break down over time and cause problems. Same goes for some inks.
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\$\begingroup\$ This is pretty good advice, but it doesn't answer the question directly - this should probably be posted as a comment on one of the other answers or on the question itself. \$\endgroup\$– fluffyCommented Feb 17, 2019 at 1:52
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If you ever decide to serialize via the board house level instead of writing manually (say, for limiting the board house's marking of their manufacturing stamp, CE marking, etc.), another option we've used is to mark out a rectangle on a mechanical layer that is labelled "Note 11 on Top Overlay", then in the design notes add an annotation that reads something like "11. Mark Vendor ID, Date Code, and UV94V-0 Using White Epoxy Ink".
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Agreed on labels, the adhesive is basically made of organic compounds and can be carbonized with high voltage.
This HV breakdown problem is not just a problem for adhesives. Often times PCBs have a keepout zone used to separate low voltage from high voltage circuits. From personal experience I know that quality inspectors use either office supply stamp pads or permanent markers for their notations and usually zero in on these zones. The inks generally use carbon in their pigments and I have experienced breakdowns that forms tracking paths following the inspectors marking. if you must use these inks in critical area, you really should do insulation resistance testing on a sample or PCB coupon.
The Best practice is to provide a designated zone for notes where there are no HV circuits involved.
