--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Volkan" <vsahin@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everybody,
> As a long silent member and toner transfer lover, now I have
>something
> to share. I have tried direct inkjet printing with my EPSON CX4200.
>It
> is amazing (at least for me) but it seems it is possible to print on
> copper without any special ink. Inks that I have used were refill
> inks which are not from EPSON (this is good point). May be similar
> results can be obtained from Epson DuraBrite inks.
> Let me summarize what I did,
> -I have used very thin PCB, 100um overall thickness (it is not
> possible to insert 1.6mm to the printer)
> -Using 'Scotch-Brite' and 'Ajax with Bleach' I cleaned the board.
> -Using Tarn-X I removed oxide once more.
> -I got printout on paper and then using scotch tape I fixed the PCB
>on
> paper and reprinted the file
> -I handled the PCB carefully to a flat surface since ink was still
> wet. After waiting 5 minutes I dried it completely by holding it
> around 1" (2.5cm) above the electrical stove and started to dry it
> from reverse side firstly.
> -I etched the board using Ferric Chloride solution.
> I copied the scanned image of etched pcb and photos under
> Photos/Volkan's folder
>
> Volkan
This confirms exactly what I suggested before, that the Durabrite inks
(which are more like acrylic enamel with glue added than the usual
watery dye and pigment inks every other printer on the market use)
would indeed be able to print on a nonporous surface like metal. The
next step, of course, would be for someone to use these inks in a
R200/300 printer with the CD printing tray, which would allow you to
print with a straight through path. Or to modify a C-series printer in
order to create a straight-through path.