PCB Clone

PCB Clone

As a part of our one stop service for quick turn around of your projects, Mikatech provides project-based copying or re-engineering of printed circuit boards (PCBs).

By working with clients around the world for over 28 years, Mikatech would like to sum up clients PCB Copying demands as follows:

The need for printed circuit board (PCB) cloning comes about for a variety of reasons, chief among them is the need to replace an obsolete PCB that is no longer available from the original manufacturer. Missing manufacturing files such as Gerber files are often sited as the main reason. Another reason is cost. Some PCB's are considered proprietary by the OEM when in fact they are not; they are just too expensively priced.

Such need generally consists 2 parts of job - Copying the schematics and making the BOM (Bill Of Material). People can easily make a PCB assembly with schematics and BOM. Of course, there is another vital part - microcontroller cloning, since microcontroller cloning is only needed for PCBs with locked controllers, please refer to Mikatech MCU hacking service for more information.

Mikatech uses the most advanced high resolution flatbed scanner based PCB schematics system that has the capability of scanning PCB's, film, stencils, etc and producing the Gerber data and Drill files necessary to manufacture the PCB. The color scanning capability of the scanner and the powerful color separation software algorithms in the system permit the fast and easy color separation of images needed to vectorize multilayer PCB's.

Mikatech PCB cloning capabilities:

Mikatech PCB cloning service includes:

General Questions About Cloning Service

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• Is it safe to send payment to MikaTech ?

  If MikaTech was a bad company, you could find tons of bad reputations about its service on the internet over the 28 years history

  So, the answer is YES! We are good people.

  Why choose Mikatech, please click here to find out
  

  
  
• Can Mikatech break ics not listed on this site ?

  Different chip manufacturers have different part numbers, but the inner core of the chip can be make with same technology, it would be quite impossible to list all the part numbers where our technology can apply such as MYSON, STK, FEELING, ANALOG, FUJITSU, NOVATEK, LG/HYNDAI.
  
  Also by the advancing of the technology, everyday we gain more and more experience and develope new methods for reverse engineering for different Intergated Circuit parts. Full list of Integrated Circuit part numbers which is within our scope of capability is always getting bigger, please contact us to find out.

• Will my privacy be protected ?

  Mikatech Innovative Limited understands the importance of its clients' privacy. At the moment you contact Mikatech, the personal information from you will be put under protection by our management regulations which was developed by our years of practice, Mikatech uses these information to customize its service to you, it will never disclose these information to third party out of any reason.
  Every project we did, we will delete all the data, materials, and codes 60days after deliverig the files, it iwll protect us and protect your privacy.

• Is it legal to get service from Mikatech ?

  Yes, it is totally legal.
  Mikatech deliver its reverse engineering services for educational purposes only, it can be illegal to use above mentioned services in some coutries or regions, please check your local laws. Mikatech does not take any responsibility in relation to the use of above mentioned services that may be considered illegal.

  
  
• I sent you an email, why there is no answer ?

  • A. Our mail server is temperally broke down, your message has not been delivered to our mailbox even the mail sent successfully message is showed on the screen, please contact us again.
  • B. Our email is recognised as junk mail email by your mail server, so our reply has been rejected by your mail server or it is diverted to your junk mailbox, please remove our account from junkmail list or check your junk mailbox, or use another email account to contact such as gmail.
  • C. Your email is recognised as junk mail email by our mail server, so your email was put to our junk mailbox, please use another email account to contact us again.

• How to Clone a PCB ?

  How to Clone a PCB

  PCB cloning, also called PCB reverse engineering, is the process of replicating a complete printed circuit board from an existing physical board. Here is the full step-by-step operation guide:

  1. Prepare Tools and Dismantle Components

  Prepare tools including a desoldering iron, multimeter, high-resolution scanner, digital caliper, X-ray detector (for multi-layer boards), and PCB design software like Altium Designer or KiCad.

  Desolder all resistors, capacitors, ICs, connectors and other components from the original PCB. Label each component’s position and model number to prevent loss or misplacement.

  2. Record and Test All Component Parameters

  Classify all disassembled electronic parts. Use a multimeter to test resistance, capacitance, diode polarity and other parameters. For integrated chips, download official datasheets to confirm pin functions, rated voltage and logical features. Note all silkscreen labels (R1, C2, U1, etc.) on the bare board.

  3. Capture Full PCB Layer Data

  Scan the top and bottom copper layers of the bare board at high definition to get clear image references.

  If the PCB has inner layers, use X-ray scanning or chemical delamination to expose hidden traces, vias and ground planes. Import all layer pictures into PCB design software as background templates.

  4. Trace Circuits and Rebuild the Schematic

  Follow copper traces, pads and vias to sort out electrical connections between every component pin. Use the continuity gear of the multimeter to double-check invisible wiring under solder mask.

  Draw the complete circuit schematic in design software according to the traced connection relationships, sorting power circuits, signal circuits and control modules separately.

  5. Restore the Exact PCB Layout

  Generate a netlist from the finished schematic. Build a new PCB layout by referencing the scanned original board images. Adjust trace width, hole size, pad shape, board outline and component placement to fully match the original sample. Restore solder mask, silkscreen and solder paste layers completely.

  6. Verify and Calibrate Data

  Cross-compare the reproduced layout with the original physical board repeatedly:

  • Check all wire connections and vias for missing or wrong routes
  • Confirm layer stack-up, board thickness and copper thickness
  • Inspect ground planes, shielding areas and impedance-controlled traces
  • Run circuit simulation to fix unreasonable circuit designs.

  7. Produce and Assemble the Cloned PCB

  Export standard Gerber files and drill files for PCB manufacturing. After the bare boards are fabricated, mount the corresponding electronic components through soldering. Finally test the electrical performance of the finished cloned board to ensure consistent functions with the original one.

  Important Legal Notice

  You may only clone PCBsclone PCBs that you own or hold official written authorization for research and backup. Copying others’ proprietary PCBs for mass production, sales or commercial profit without permission violates intellectual property laws worldwide.