alan00463(
alan00463@...) is reported to have said:
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Wayne Topa <linuxone@i...> wrote:
> >
> > alan00463(alan00463@y...) is reported to have said:
> > >
> > > Looking at an old motherboard earlier, I noticed two things. The
> > > white component legend is about half lettering and half geometric
> > > shapes. The lettering is very thin. A laser printer could easily
> > > print that artwork. So I was thinking, "Hmmm....can I get a laser
> > > printer toner that's white, rather than black, so I can print this
> > > onto transfer paper and use it to label my PCB ? "
> >
> > Alan
> >
> > Just about to do the component side of 2 boards I just finished tin
> > plating. I'm using the WhiteTRF included in the Pulsar PCB starter
> > Kit. The instructions start with "This film is for colorizing black
> > toner, printed from a laser or photocopier".
> >
> > It also says "Because "WhiteTRF" uses a very heavy pigment to be able
> > to opaquely cover jet black toner, you will see large deposits of
> > white where it shouldn't be. Don't panic. All excess white will
> > easily lift off using adhesive tape. It is preferred to use a low
> > tack tape like #M's Removable "MagicTape: or 3M '2070'.
> >
> >
> > So the answer to your question seems to be yes. Check the Pulsar site
> > <Pulsar.gs> for the specifics.
> >
> > Wayne
>
> I checked out the website, Wayne, thanks. Did you use the GreenTRF
> too? Which etchant did you use? I'm anxious to learn how your
> board turns out with the WhiteTRF on the component layer. Let us
> know when you get it perfected. How much does this stuff cost?
Yes, I used the GreenTRF and it worked great, when I finally got a
'real' HP toner cartridge.
I used Ferric Chloride and followed the instructions on the "15 Minute
PCB" page. I etched two boards 1 was 2"x1 1/2" and the other was 2
1/2" x 1 3.4" and they both etched in a bit less then 1 minute each. I
warmed the etchant in warm water as I was doing the etching outdoors
and the temp was 34deg F. I haven't etched a board in over 20 years
and did not believe it would be that fast. They both came out very
good. I did not see any sigh if traces widening as others have seen.
I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.
The larger board did not come out so good with the WhiteTRF. I
believe it was due to me not waiting long enough for the laminator to
warm up. They say it should be warm enough in 12 minutes but the
'ready' light does not fully illuminate for 45 minutes in my workroom.
I sent the first board through after about 15 minutes. The 2nd board
went through about 50 minutes after turn on and, except for the
blurring because I sent it through the printer twice, came out like I
would expect. All in all for just starting to get the hang of this, I
am very pleased.
I have no idea what the WhiteTRF costs. It came with the starter kit
along with a roll of tape to remove the excess white and a can of
'Goof Off' to remove the GreenTRF and Toner after etching. The
WhiteTRF comes in a roll (like a bolt cloth would) 8 inches wide by 15
feet long, the same as the Green TRF.
Wayne