RECi-P: Rapid, Economical Circuit Prototyping

Rapid, Economical Circuit Prototyping (RECi-P) is a method for the rapid prototyping of conductive traces that can be used for electronic circuits. This method utilizes an inexpensive craft cutter that can cut copper tape with sub-millimeter accuracy. The layout of cut copper tape pieces is preserved, making it easier to accurately create complicated patterns. Using RECi-P, designs can be fabricated and tested in under 30 minutes, for approximately the same cost as prototypes made by manually cutting copper tape. Using a 5-GHz coupled-line bandpass filter as a demonstration device, three fabrication methods were compared: RECi-P, photolithography and wet etching, and mechanical milling. The performance of the filter fabricated using RECi-P is similar to that of the other methods, showing that RECi-P is a rapid, economical method for the prototyping of devices and circuits.