Description
⭐ *Never struggle with opaque PCBs again!* In this video, I'll show you how I designed and built a fully transparent Arduino UNO-compatible board on a flexible PCB. From schematic design to programming, you'll see every step including how to keep the board see-through by avoiding copper pours, and how to make it rigid using a 3D-printed resin frame.
What You Will Learn in This Video:
1️⃣ Designing an Arduino UNO clone schematic in Altium.
2️⃣ Routing a transparent flex PCB with no copper pours.
3️⃣ Ordering transparent flex PCBs from JLCPCB.
4️⃣ Assembling SMD components using a stencil and hotplate.
5️⃣ 3D printing a transparent resin frame to rigidize the flex board.
6️⃣ Burning the bootloader and uploading Arduino sketches.
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🛠️ TOOLS I USED
Visit Altium Develop : Design your own PCBs → https://www.altium.com/yt/diyguychris
JLCPCB (Discount): Order transparent flex PCBs → https://jlcpcb.com/?from=TIP
JLC3DP (3D Printing): Transparent resin frame → https://jlc3dp.com/?from=TIP
Online Altium Project Files : Access here → https://diy-guy-chris.365.altium.com/designs/4B5636E3-D3A3-450D-9E95-4E59541879D7
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📁 PROJECT FILES
Check full GitHub repo : https://github.com/BEEMB/Transparent-Arduino-UNO
Circuit Schematic : https://github.com/BEEMB/Transparent-Arduino-UNO/blob/main/Hardware/Schematic/UNO%20Transparent.pdf
JLCPCB-optimized Gerbers : https://github.com/BEEMB/Transparent-Arduino-UNO/tree/main/Hardware/GERBER
BOM File : https://github.com/BEEMB/Transparent-Arduino-UNO/tree/main/Hardware/BOM
Pick-and-Place files : https://github.com/BEEMB/Transparent-Arduino-UNO/tree/main/Hardware/Pick%26Place
STL for Resin Frame : https://github.com/BEEMB/Transparent-Arduino-UNO/tree/main/Hardware/3D_Models
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🔧 BUILD ESSENTIALS
PCB Assembly:
🔍 Transparent Flex PCB from JLCPCB
💧 Low Temperature Solder Paste: https://www.amazon.com/Solder-Bi57-6-No-Clean-Lead-Free-Temperature/dp/B0195V1QEI?crid=16CSNCFB26IC8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.To7l6-y3C_Wg53Rbpgsvh1MJw7Xlg95G6V_B7zbdrHnKTeo_hLuvYV2PFwVM5ZiB25uiWNPAEIF8v2vSMeOY6Y58LYARfoIqmi5l5ZQBos4q7nPTMessCcPigbyvJSvtjGl0B1qIef-QSbw1vcvO5aOUDaiNMnSXmp3s0zywlT_vN4RA_07L1oBcbfieIQNkdbgilf_A_z8a43onEPwpa0SErCHfW_tKsFQpHwA4V4DsQPIJDzXe3HhsRx4lxJOcGFSDpmYxaWv0F39MOvWkmTJtZiipMk5qmvFbNONvK4M.zihNZlgihwwAB2JCnxp0PxqhXGaDPDzLHhN8bnGPNuQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=solder+paste+chipquik&qid=1777117221&sprefix=solder+paste+chip%2Caps%2C276&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll2&tag=megadas-20&linkId=3f2705cc1c7b8574f130ba98ce2ce719&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
💧 Flux cleaner: https://amzn.to/4vO94Lo
🔥 Mini Hotplate: https://amzn.to/4e3BE5b
🔥 Soldering station: https://amzn.to/4cvwEoN
🎯 Precision Tweezers: https://amzn.to/4mNdXAe
🔧 PCB Stencil (from JLCPCB)
Debugging & Programming:
🔎 Digital microscope Camera: https://amzn.to/41ZlhPQ
🔌 Digital Multimeter: https://amzn.to/41VhvqF
📟 USB-to-Serial Adapter (for bootloader): https://amzn.to/4ucZJvi
3D Printing (Resin Frame):
🧱 Transparent 8001 Resin from JLC3DP
Super glue: https://amzn.to/4sQDqu5
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⏱️ CHAPTERS
0:00 – Project intro & transparent board demo
0:32 – Schematic design in Altium (ATmega328 + CH340)
1:07 – PCB layout – routing without copper pours
2:06 – Ordering transparent flex PCB from JLCPCB
2:26 – Unboxing the transparent PCB & stencil
2:51 – Solder paste application & component placement
3:26 – Hotplate reflow & microscope inspection
3:38 – 3D printed transparent resin frame (JLC3DP)
3:57 – Burning bootloader & uploading Blink sketch
4:18 – FastLED demo with NeoPixel array
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🔗 MORE PROJECTS
Colorful Arduino Board: https://youtu.be/1kLNc-ULXyw
Learn How to Burn Bootloader: https://youtu.be/UUYz1T53EIQ
Check my DIY Battery Spot Welder video: https://youtu.be/PaCtLfOyqVk
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Keywords:
#arduino #diy #electronic #pcb #transparent #flex #hardware #maker #circuit #diycrafts #diybuild