PCB Manufacturing

C

Colin Dawson

Guest
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough equipment to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen, Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for a UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.

Ideally I don't want to draw the image on with an etch pen as I'm not very
artistic - it's always hit and miss as to whether I can get the track to
line up for an IC socket!

Regards

Colin.
 
On a sunny day (Wed, 31 Mar 2004 22:45:54 +0000 (UTC)) it happened "Colin
Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in <c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com>:

Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough equipment to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen, Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for a UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.
When you print layout on a transparent (say overhead) sheet, you can use a
250W lightbulb at 30 cm for 8 minutes.
make sure you use some glass plate and foam under the thing perhaps to get
good contact with the PCB.
Or have them made, not such a mess, and some places are really cheap.

Try Eagle or if you have Linux, use PCB for simple layouts.
PCB is fun to use.
JP
 
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough equipment
to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen, Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the
PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for a
UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.

Ideally I don't want to draw the image on with an etch pen as I'm not very
artistic - it's always hit and miss as to whether I can get the track to
line up for an IC socket!

Regards

Colin.


Colin,
A cheap solution is to photocopy your PCB printout onto a piece
of the cheapest gloss A4 printer paper (the stuff that is coated on one
side) - it must not be photo quality paper!
Ideally, you need to get plenty of toner onto the paper, so set the copier
to the darkest setting that gives a good copy. (You could also use a laser
printer instead of a photocopier).
Next, clean the PCB copper and use an old iron on high setting and
reasonable pressure on the paper (particularly around the edges) to transfer
the toner to the copper.
Let it cool then soak in cold water for about 10 minutes and carefully peel
off the paper (may need to use a finger to rub off any paper remains.)
It may work well - or fail miserably, due to type of paper used, iron not
hot enough etc - you WILL need to experiment.
A search on the web may give you more info about recommended paper brands
etc.

Dave
 
we can help you to produce good PCB with your design in portal.

write to us

http://arm.web7days.com
 
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough equipment
to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen, Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

[deleted]

Join this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/

Leon
 
Colin,

At our electronics development company we use a product called 'press n
peel'.
We simply print the reversed PCB design via a laser printer on to the press
n peel paper. It looks a bit like the old carbon paper.

We then simply lay it on the copper board, lay a sheet of paper over it, and
iron it on MAX power for about 15 to 30 seconds.

It yields fantastic results and enables us to fabricate prototype PCBs in
under an hour.

As someone will be quick to point out this requires a laser printer but you
can pick them up off ebay for very little. You can also buy them for under
Ł80 new.

I know that a lot of developers like the UV technique, but I've tried it and
find that the press n peel sheets are faster, cleaner, and provide better
results.

p.s. I do not work for or have any commercial/financial interests in whoever
it is that make press n peel !

Best regards,

Geoffrey
http://www.biodigital-ltd.com

"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough equipment
to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen, Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the
PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for a
UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.

Ideally I don't want to draw the image on with an etch pen as I'm not very
artistic - it's always hit and miss as to whether I can get the track to
line up for an IC socket!

Regards

Colin.
 
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough equipment
to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen, Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the
PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for a
UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.

Ideally I don't want to draw the image on with an etch pen as I'm not very
artistic - it's always hit and miss as to whether I can get the track to
line up for an IC socket!

Regards

Colin.
Super Easy Solution.

Go to your nearest electronics outlet and buy a pack of Press-n-Peel(P-n-P).
It's A4 size and looks like carbon paper (well sort of).
Then print your beautiful PCB design directly on this P-n-P.
Then using your household iron, iron the P-n-P directly onto the copper side
(of course) of your PCB board material.
Then peel off the un-needed part.
Then etch.
Then scrub down with 000 steel wool or your kitchen pot scrubber.

See I told you it was easy!

Use Traxedit from Protel for design and use Traxplot for printing.

It may take a few moments(hours) to work the software but at the end of the
day it's not bad.

Have a nice day,
Wayne.
 
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4kn35$cf4$1@hercules.btinternet.com...
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough
equipment
to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen,
Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the
PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that
many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring
the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for a
UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.

Ideally I don't want to draw the image on with an etch pen as I'm not
very
artistic - it's always hit and miss as to whether I can get the track to
line up for an IC socket!

Regards

Colin.



Thanks to all that posted replies. I've taken a look at some of the
methods
and have formed my own opinions. Before I power my opinions, I think it's
important that I point out my motivations which will ultimatly effect the
outcome. Whilst at college, I was trained in PCB Prototyping, using the
good old fashioned etch pens. They're great for simple circuits, using
resisters, capacitors and other components with long legs. Where the
placement doesn't matter too much. Once you start wanting to use IC
sockets, and ribbon cable headers, things start to get a little more
artistic. Since my drawing skills leave alot to be desired, my PCB's
always
tended to end up a little cock-eyed.. it's a miracle that some of them
worked at all! (OK slight over exageration, but you get the picture). I
wanted something that will produce results that are asthetically pleasing.
So that leads my natuarlly on to real printed circuits, and not the drawn
kind. Also this is a hobbie, all be it one that I'm re-kindling after a
few
years, so I want it to be fun! not efficient, not clean, but fun ;-)

I'd looked at several methods for "Printing" pcb's... They've all got
advantages and disavantages. From the posts here, past experience and
general net surfing, I've got a list of several methods - PhotoEtching,
Press N Peel, Toner?, and the PCB Sticker sets.

PCB Transfer sets.
I remember these from when I was at college. There were several sheets in
the set each offering different elements of the circuit - A sheet of round
Pads, A sheet of IC pads, several sheets of tracks (different widths) and
so
on. The idea was to place the sheet into the PCB, then rub the transfer
from the sheet onto the PCB. You could lay out the tracks, and get a
circuit that looked as though it was printed. But this was very time
consuming, and you had to lay them fresh for each circuit. All in all,
better results than an Etch pen, but alot more work.

Toner
I'm not sure about this method, I get the idea you print to cheap paper,
then run the print off the paper onto the pcb (using lots of heat). I'm
not sure that Laser/Photocopier toner will protect the copper from the
etch.
I get the idea, but I'm not convinced... Also I don't have a laser
printer
at the moment. There's also another hidden aspect to this... running
really
cheap paper that's not designed for Laser printers could actually damage
the
printer! "Cheap" paper normally has lots of fine particals loose withing
the grain, a buildup of this could cause more harm than good.
Basically,
I think this is a really bad idea. If it works for you, great. I'm just
saying that this is not something that I'd be inclined to try.

Pree N Peel.
This system sounds pretty good. I've seen the sheets for sale, and like
the
idea for a really clean and neat way to print circuits. It looks like
this
stuff is pretty good. But again I don't have a laser printer. I've taken
a
look at laser printers and found that if I was to get one, it'd be new and
would set me back about Ł200 ish...

That brings me back to the Photo-Etching
I like the idea of printing the circuit to transparency, and like the idea
that these are re-usable. I know that there's several methods for
exposing
the board, but it looks like the quickest solution is the UV boxes which
come in at about Ł120 for a small one (well, big enough for me). Also
since I like playing (hmm, bad word, but you safety concious people out
there will know what I really mean) with chemicals, it'll be alot of fun.

Looks like I might be saving up for a UV box after all.
As I said earlier, these are my personal opinions, and shouldn't be used
as
anything other than that. Basically, if I worked for a company that
produced circuits every once in a while, but not everyday, I'd probably
opt
for the Press N Peel system. It's alot safer than the Photo-Etching as
there's no nasty chemicals involved, the H&S officers wouldn't go ape
everytime I expose a board and rinse it off in the kitchen sink :)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Regards

Colin
Worth saying, that you can just make your own UV box. A pair of 8W tubes
will cost about 1/6th the price of the smallest box, and the starter and
coil will only add a tiny amount to this.
You can also use the Sun as an exposure light...

Best Wishes
 
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough equipment
to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen, Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the
PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for a
UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.

Ideally I don't want to draw the image on with an etch pen as I'm not very
artistic - it's always hit and miss as to whether I can get the track to
line up for an IC socket!

Regards

Colin.
Thanks to all that posted replies. I've taken a look at some of the methods
and have formed my own opinions. Before I power my opinions, I think it's
important that I point out my motivations which will ultimatly effect the
outcome. Whilst at college, I was trained in PCB Prototyping, using the
good old fashioned etch pens. They're great for simple circuits, using
resisters, capacitors and other components with long legs. Where the
placement doesn't matter too much. Once you start wanting to use IC
sockets, and ribbon cable headers, things start to get a little more
artistic. Since my drawing skills leave alot to be desired, my PCB's always
tended to end up a little cock-eyed.. it's a miracle that some of them
worked at all! (OK slight over exageration, but you get the picture). I
wanted something that will produce results that are asthetically pleasing.
So that leads my natuarlly on to real printed circuits, and not the drawn
kind. Also this is a hobbie, all be it one that I'm re-kindling after a few
years, so I want it to be fun! not efficient, not clean, but fun ;-)

I'd looked at several methods for "Printing" pcb's... They've all got
advantages and disavantages. From the posts here, past experience and
general net surfing, I've got a list of several methods - PhotoEtching,
Press N Peel, Toner?, and the PCB Sticker sets.

PCB Transfer sets.
I remember these from when I was at college. There were several sheets in
the set each offering different elements of the circuit - A sheet of round
Pads, A sheet of IC pads, several sheets of tracks (different widths) and so
on. The idea was to place the sheet into the PCB, then rub the transfer
from the sheet onto the PCB. You could lay out the tracks, and get a
circuit that looked as though it was printed. But this was very time
consuming, and you had to lay them fresh for each circuit. All in all,
better results than an Etch pen, but alot more work.

Toner
I'm not sure about this method, I get the idea you print to cheap paper,
then run the print off the paper onto the pcb (using lots of heat). I'm
not sure that Laser/Photocopier toner will protect the copper from the etch.
I get the idea, but I'm not convinced... Also I don't have a laser printer
at the moment. There's also another hidden aspect to this... running really
cheap paper that's not designed for Laser printers could actually damage the
printer! "Cheap" paper normally has lots of fine particals loose withing
the grain, a buildup of this could cause more harm than good. Basically,
I think this is a really bad idea. If it works for you, great. I'm just
saying that this is not something that I'd be inclined to try.

Pree N Peel.
This system sounds pretty good. I've seen the sheets for sale, and like the
idea for a really clean and neat way to print circuits. It looks like this
stuff is pretty good. But again I don't have a laser printer. I've taken a
look at laser printers and found that if I was to get one, it'd be new and
would set me back about Ł200 ish...

That brings me back to the Photo-Etching
I like the idea of printing the circuit to transparency, and like the idea
that these are re-usable. I know that there's several methods for exposing
the board, but it looks like the quickest solution is the UV boxes which
come in at about Ł120 for a small one (well, big enough for me). Also
since I like playing (hmm, bad word, but you safety concious people out
there will know what I really mean) with chemicals, it'll be alot of fun.

Looks like I might be saving up for a UV box after all.
As I said earlier, these are my personal opinions, and shouldn't be used as
anything other than that. Basically, if I worked for a company that
produced circuits every once in a while, but not everyday, I'd probably opt
for the Press N Peel system. It's alot safer than the Photo-Etching as
there's no nasty chemicals involved, the H&S officers wouldn't go ape
everytime I expose a board and rinse it off in the kitchen sink :)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Regards

Colin
 
Press N Peel
I don't have a laser printer
Colin Dawson
1) Take your inkjet artwork to Kinkos.
Get the orientation correct--when photocopied, it will be reversed.
Have them set the print density as heavy as possible (without specks).

2) Find a friend with a a laser printer.
At your place, load the printer driver for *his* printer on your
machine.
Print your output using that printer driver and PRINT TO FILE.
Put a copy of that *.PRN file on a disk and take it to your buddy's
place.
At a DOS prompt, COPY /B FILENAME.PRN LPT1.
(Don't forget the /B. That is for a binary copy;
if you forget it, you will go thru a lot of transfer film / paper.)

IMO, Press'N'Peel is the way to go
even if you have to jump thru one of these hoops.


Mike Harrison's wonderful page on making PCBs:
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:iiE5D2h-NyYJ:www.electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs.html+mike-harrison+copperset


Archived posts on
clay-covered paper:
http://groups.google.com/groups?&threadm=11915d6.0309220633.47aeedaa%40posting.google.com&rnum=2&prev=/groups%3Fq%3DGootee-Board%26num%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3Dlang_en%26ie%3DUTF-8%26safe%3Doff%26filter%3D0
http://groups.google.com/groups?&threadm=f8b945bc.0308191647.58cb3fad%40posting.google.com&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fnum%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3Dlang_en%26ie%3DISO-8859-1%26safe%3Doff%26q%3Djeffm_%2Bglossy%2Bclay%26btnG%3DSearch

transfer film:
http://groups.google.com/groups?&threadm=f8b945bc.0310121617.3dcd7bfc%40posting.google.com&rnum=8&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Dblue-stuff%2Bstarting-temperature%26num%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3Dlang_en%26ie%3DUTF-8%26safe%3Doff%26scoring%3Dd%26filter%3D0
 
"Roger Hamlett" <rogerspamignored@ttelmah.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Zklbc.125$i01.72@newsfe1-win...
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4kn35$cf4$1@hercules.btinternet.com...

"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough
equipment
to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen,
Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board
afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the
PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that
many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring
the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for
a
UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.

Ideally I don't want to draw the image on with an etch pen as I'm not
very
artistic - it's always hit and miss as to whether I can get the track
to
line up for an IC socket!

Regards

Colin.



Thanks to all that posted replies. I've taken a look at some of the
methods
and have formed my own opinions. Before I power my opinions, I think
it's
important that I point out my motivations which will ultimatly effect
the
outcome. Whilst at college, I was trained in PCB Prototyping, using the
good old fashioned etch pens. They're great for simple circuits, using
resisters, capacitors and other components with long legs. Where the
placement doesn't matter too much. Once you start wanting to use IC
sockets, and ribbon cable headers, things start to get a little more
artistic. Since my drawing skills leave alot to be desired, my PCB's
always
tended to end up a little cock-eyed.. it's a miracle that some of them
worked at all! (OK slight over exageration, but you get the picture). I
wanted something that will produce results that are asthetically
pleasing.
So that leads my natuarlly on to real printed circuits, and not the
drawn
kind. Also this is a hobbie, all be it one that I'm re-kindling after a
few
years, so I want it to be fun! not efficient, not clean, but fun ;-)

I'd looked at several methods for "Printing" pcb's... They've all got
advantages and disavantages. From the posts here, past experience and
general net surfing, I've got a list of several methods - PhotoEtching,
Press N Peel, Toner?, and the PCB Sticker sets.

PCB Transfer sets.
I remember these from when I was at college. There were several sheets
in
the set each offering different elements of the circuit - A sheet of
round
Pads, A sheet of IC pads, several sheets of tracks (different widths)
and
so
on. The idea was to place the sheet into the PCB, then rub the transfer
from the sheet onto the PCB. You could lay out the tracks, and get a
circuit that looked as though it was printed. But this was very time
consuming, and you had to lay them fresh for each circuit. All in all,
better results than an Etch pen, but alot more work.

Toner
I'm not sure about this method, I get the idea you print to cheap paper,
then run the print off the paper onto the pcb (using lots of heat).
I'm
not sure that Laser/Photocopier toner will protect the copper from the
etch.
I get the idea, but I'm not convinced... Also I don't have a laser
printer
at the moment. There's also another hidden aspect to this... running
really
cheap paper that's not designed for Laser printers could actually damage
the
printer! "Cheap" paper normally has lots of fine particals loose
withing
the grain, a buildup of this could cause more harm than good.
Basically,
I think this is a really bad idea. If it works for you, great. I'm
just
saying that this is not something that I'd be inclined to try.

Pree N Peel.
This system sounds pretty good. I've seen the sheets for sale, and like
the
idea for a really clean and neat way to print circuits. It looks like
this
stuff is pretty good. But again I don't have a laser printer. I've
taken
a
look at laser printers and found that if I was to get one, it'd be new
and
would set me back about Ł200 ish...

That brings me back to the Photo-Etching
I like the idea of printing the circuit to transparency, and like the
idea
that these are re-usable. I know that there's several methods for
exposing
the board, but it looks like the quickest solution is the UV boxes which
come in at about Ł120 for a small one (well, big enough for me). Also
since I like playing (hmm, bad word, but you safety concious people out
there will know what I really mean) with chemicals, it'll be alot of
fun.

Looks like I might be saving up for a UV box after all.
As I said earlier, these are my personal opinions, and shouldn't be used
as
anything other than that. Basically, if I worked for a company that
produced circuits every once in a while, but not everyday, I'd probably
opt
for the Press N Peel system. It's alot safer than the Photo-Etching as
there's no nasty chemicals involved, the H&S officers wouldn't go ape
everytime I expose a board and rinse it off in the kitchen sink :)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Regards

Colin
Worth saying, that you can just make your own UV box. A pair of 8W tubes
will cost about 1/6th the price of the smallest box, and the starter and
coil will only add a tiny amount to this.
You can also use the Sun as an exposure light...

Best Wishes
Hi Roger.

I just wanted to say that I've seriously thought about that too. I don't
really want to make a box, as I quite like the looks of the retail boxes.
Also I'm an ametur astronomer, the weather is naturally against me, whatever
I decide to do. I'd prefer not to rely on the it being a Sunny day. That
method also makes the exposure times alot less predictable.

Regards

Colin.
 
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4kn35$cf4$1@hercules.btinternet.com...


That brings me back to the Photo-Etching
I like the idea of printing the circuit to transparency, and like the idea
that these are re-usable. I know that there's several methods for
exposing
the board, but it looks like the quickest solution is the UV boxes which
come in at about Ł120 for a small one (well, big enough for me). Also
since I like playing (hmm, bad word, but you safety concious people out
there will know what I really mean) with chemicals, it'll be alot of fun.

Looks like I might be saving up for a UV box after all.
I use a cheap second-hand LaserJet IIIp printer (35 GBP) to create the
artwork and a home-made UV exposure unit (about 25 GBP). Results are very
good.

Leon
 
In message <c4kn35$cf4$1@hercules.btinternet.com>, Colin Dawson
<news@cjdawson.com> writes
That brings me back to the Photo-Etching
I like the idea of printing the circuit to transparency, and like the idea
that these are re-usable. I know that there's several methods for exposing
the board, but it looks like the quickest solution is the UV boxes which
come in at about Ł120 for a small one (well, big enough for me). Also
since I like playing (hmm, bad word, but you safety concious people out
there will know what I really mean) with chemicals, it'll be alot of fun.
Colin, sounds as if you're in UK so why not make your own as I've done.
2x8w mounts - B&Q
UV fluro tube kit - Maplin/Farnell/RS
30min mechanical timer - RS
sheet clear glass
box to put it all in
Get reasonable idea for dimensions UV exposure box from
Maplin/Farnell/RS catalogue.
Whole lot will cost you a bit less than Ł120
--
Dick
GM0MNL
 
"Dick" <dick@langwang.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3YXBMKEr1BcAFwtC@langwang.demon.co.uk...
In message <c4kn35$cf4$1@hercules.btinternet.com>, Colin Dawson
news@cjdawson.com> writes
That brings me back to the Photo-Etching
I like the idea of printing the circuit to transparency, and like the
idea
that these are re-usable. I know that there's several methods for
exposing
the board, but it looks like the quickest solution is the UV boxes which
come in at about Ł120 for a small one (well, big enough for me). Also
since I like playing (hmm, bad word, but you safety concious people out
there will know what I really mean) with chemicals, it'll be alot of fun.
Colin, sounds as if you're in UK so why not make your own as I've done.
2x8w mounts - B&Q
UV fluro tube kit - Maplin/Farnell/RS
30min mechanical timer - RS
sheet clear glass
box to put it all in
Get reasonable idea for dimensions UV exposure box from
Maplin/Farnell/RS catalogue.
Whole lot will cost you a bit less than Ł120
--
Dick
GM0MNL
True, but for the Ł120, I'll get a proper steel box which will look cool :)

Col.
 
logized wrote:
"Colin Dawson" <news@cjdawson.com> wrote in message
news:c4fhn2$acd$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
Hi all.

In getting ready to make some PCB's. Currently I've got enough equipment
to
design and print circuit layouts (inkjet printer), also an Etch pen, Ectch
and an etch tray, as well as the stuff to clean up the board afterwards.

I'd like to be able to transfer the image from my Injet print onto the
PCB,
this can be a really crude method as I'm not planning on making that many
PCB's to begin with. Any suggestions on cheap methods of transferring the
image?
I've done Photo-etching before, but don't have the funds available for a
UV
light box. I'm willing to try anything provided that it's not to
dangerous/expensive.

Ideally I don't want to draw the image on with an etch pen as I'm not very
artistic - it's always hit and miss as to whether I can get the track to
line up for an IC socket!

Regards

Colin.


Colin,
A cheap solution is to photocopy your PCB printout onto a piece
of the cheapest gloss A4 printer paper (the stuff that is coated on one
side) - it must not be photo quality paper!
Ideally, you need to get plenty of toner onto the paper, so set the copier
to the darkest setting that gives a good copy. (You could also use a laser
printer instead of a photocopier).
Next, clean the PCB copper and use an old iron on high setting and
reasonable pressure on the paper (particularly around the edges) to transfer
the toner to the copper.
Let it cool then soak in cold water for about 10 minutes and carefully peel
off the paper (may need to use a finger to rub off any paper remains.)
It may work well - or fail miserably, due to type of paper used, iron not
hot enough etc - you WILL need to experiment.
A search on the web may give you more info about recommended paper brands
etc.

Dave
Hello collin , you could try going to your nearby photocopy shop , ask
for xerox laser copy , and they will print your pcb layout onto
transparency for you (trace quality on transparency is good and
alignment is alright), after which you could use photosensitive laminate
to photoresist the pattern on to the laminate and then go through the
etching process.

hope it helps.
 
Colin Dawson wrote:

PCB Transfer sets.
I remember these from when I was at college. There were several sheets in
the set each offering different elements of the circuit - A sheet of round
Pads, A sheet of IC pads, several sheets of tracks (different widths) and so
on. The idea was to place the sheet into the PCB, then rub the transfer
from the sheet onto the PCB. You could lay out the tracks, and get a
circuit that looked as though it was printed. But this was very time
consuming, and you had to lay them fresh for each circuit. All in all,
better results than an Etch pen, but alot more work.
This is the method for you- your circuits are small, consist mostly of
discretes, and replication is a non-issue. You buy the rub-on set for
the DIP patterns and hole sizes you need and then use the resist pen to
make the interconnections as well as go over the rub-on pads, being sure
NOT to fill in the pad holes- don't use the rub on tracks-your little
circuit won't take 15 minutes- and the cost is the least possible.
 

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