Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

----- Original Message -----
From: "Radra" <infositeus@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 5:47 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Photolithography - resolution


> Just fabricated my first PCB today using the photolithography method;
> prior PCBs were made using the toner-transfer method. My 10 to 15
> mil tracks were faithfully produced. Experimented with 1 and 5 mil
> tracks and learned I could do 5 mils but not 1 mils. I believe this
> limit is related to the resolution of the artwork I am using. I draw
> the track pattern using AutoCAD. It is then printed onto laser-
> printer transparency film (CG 3300 by 3M) using my HP LaserJet 2200d
> at 1200 dpi and 180 lpi.
>
> When I examine the resulting transparency under a microscope, it
> becomes apparent the 1 mil line is poorly rendered. At this time, I
> do not know if the limiting factor is the printer or the film.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions? One possibility of course is
> to have the artwork transparency professionally made.

Do you really mean 1 mil (0.001)?

Leon