Chris showed a photo of a "novel" component legen a while ago - he printed
the "real world" view of his PCB out and transferred that. So you can put
legend over the mask, even in one go, probably even graphics if you like.
The problem with using it for soldermask will be that it is hard to do a
transfer that continues over the edge of a trace, because of the step.
I had the very same idea (or Chris had it, i don't remember), anyway, we
discussed it either here or on E_101, but i haven't had time to try it,
and also i don't have a color laser.
If you try it make sure to show us.
ST
On Fri, 06 Jan 2006 17:31:54 +0100, Mike Phillips <
mikep_95133@...>
wrote:
> While wishing that I had made a prototype first, mostly because it's
>
> a good idea and a lot of fun, I came up with an idea for soldermask.
>
>
> Since we can use toner transfer for adding a silkscreen layer over a
>
> board, why not use toner transfer for adding a soldermask layer to
>
> the board? It could be even done in your favorite board color by
>
> using a color laser printer from a copy center. A negative image of
>
> the soldermask layer would be required. My software generates that
>
> if needed. The plastic toner soldermask layer would make an
>
> excellent barrier.
>
>
> The next step would be to see if one could lay the toner transfer
>
> silkscreen layer over the toner transfer soldermask layer
>
> successfully with different colors?
>
>
> My board (35mm x 40mm) can be panelized 25 times on one 8.5 x 11
>
> sheet. Even more on a legal sheet or larger. They use to charge $1
>
> for each sheet. So that's something like 5 cents per board after
>
> taxes.
>
>
> If my rookie bare bones board design is ok when it arrives, then I'm
>
> going to try this idea.
>
>
> Thoughts?
>
>
> Mike