Re: PCB photo etch using inkjet?


"Abstract Dissonance" <Abstract.Dissonance.hotmail.com> wrote in message
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"Abstract Dissonance" <Abstract.Dissonance.hotmail.com> wrote in message
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"Steve Butler" <ksbutler@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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ink doesnt dry quick enough consequently it runs or smudges edges
I have done a board or two printing artwork to plain paper and
exposing for a minute or so in sunlight , worked well but now
use Laser printer and transparencies for development

Steve


"Tom Biasi" <tombiasi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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If you're talking about the photographic process where a
sensitized board is exposed to light with the artwork on
a transparancy, then the inkjets typically don't get dark
enough for fine line work. Laser toner is much more opaque
than any of the inkjet inks I've seen so far.

JazzMan
--

Also there are methods that rely on the fusing of the toner to the
board. Ex. PNP Blue.




I tried printing the traces on a transparency with my inkjet and it
turned out almost perfect. There were no smudges or anything and it looks
pretty dark(it has a green hue to it though and I'm not sure if my
printer is using the black ink completely or not.) I'd say its 99%
perfect as far as the traces are concerned. There is a little "streak"
about 1 mm long through one of the traces but that is easily fixed. I
will go ahead and try it and see what happens. Hopefully the ink is thick
enough to block the UV light. I might post my results if they are decent.

Jon


So far so good. I was able to get the layout on perfectly. I could not
place a "weight" on the transparency since the ink would not try. I have
to cut the board to size and etch it. I was able to get about .008 trace
width. Don't know for sure since I didn't use any traces smaller than
0.040 but my - sign's have a smaller than 0.01in so I guess its about
0.008.

So I guess everything is ok now. The etching should be routine(well gotta
figure out the proper time). The next hurdle will be the drilling.

Jon


The etching went almost perfect as far as the traces are concerned. It was
a little messy and the process wasn't perfect as far as efficiency and ease
of use but it was cause the way I did the tank and the stuff I used. One
thing I didn't expect was for the etchant to screw with the airator I used.
It was one of those stone string things that let the bubbles through. The
etchant ate through some of the stone for some reason ;/

The board itself is ok though. One of my G's(for ground) got ate through a
little but everything else is ok.

Next thing is the drilling ;/ I figure this will be the toughest but if it
goes like the others then it should be a piece of cake.


One thing I should mention though is that using the inkjet transparency
method lets use reuse the transparencies pretty easy. You just was off the
ink(I used the developer and it came right off. I'm not sure if it would
work with the toner though.)


Jon



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