How to Make a Metal Detector Circuit Board Drawing

Arrange the electronic components on a breadboard. Use the schematic as a guide.

Rearrange the components until the entire circuit is small enough to fit inside the enclosure at the top of the metal detector's handle.

Launch the graphic design or PCB layout software on your computer. Create a document that is the same length and width as the blank PCB you are using.

Draw and label each component using the circuit on the breadboard as a guide. Leave enough space between components to allow each component to lie flat on the board without touching. Do not place components on the edge of the board.

Create circles for each end of your through-hole components, such as resistors, capacitors and wires that go off the board. Each component, except wire, requires at least two circles. Each circle consists of an empty space in the middle and a 0.02-inch thick solid line around the perimeter. The empty space should be the same width as the drill bit you use to drill holes into circuit boards. Leave enough space between circles to accommodate each component comfortably.

Connect components to one another by drawing lines between them. Use your schematic and the circuit on the breadboard as guides. Lines should be between 0.01 inch and 0.04 inch thick.

Compare your drawing to the schematic to check for errors. Modify the drawing to match the schematic, if necessary. Save your drawing.