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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Still getting broken traces.

From: "Myc Holmes" <mycroft2152y@...>
Date: 2006-07-24

Hi Seth,

One question, are the breaks always in one direction? In other words, are
they always in the traces that run in same direction, parallel to the way
the paper is printed?

The broken traces sound like the paper is changing dimensions under heat and
the toner is not "stretching" along with it. I suggest you first run the
paper through the laser printer without printing anything to give it a "heat
treatment" then reprint with the pcb pattern.

I'm using athe Samsung ML-2010, an earlier relabeld version, with great
success,. The toner needs higher temerprature to fuse. A few extra passes
through the laminator works for me. Or else, after running it through the
laminator giving it a few touch up strokes with a hot iron.

Also. after removing the paper, flash fuse the toner using a a hair dryer
very close (1/8") to the pcb.


Myc

On 7/24/06, sethkoster <sethkoster@...> wrote:
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "Herbert E. Plett"
> <cachureos@...> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > --- sethkoster <sethkoster@...> wrote:
> >
> ...
> > > Any ideas why I am still getting broken traces?
> >
> > hard to tell as you don't mention when you notice the gaps.
> > at first I would suspect too low temperature of transfer.
> > 1) have you checked on the quality of the print. is it good. does it
> rub off.
> > any gaps?
>
> The print to paper seems good. It looks solid and dense.
>
> > 2) when the paper slides off the board, is it nicely clean? no black
> spots
> > left?
>
> Nope. This is when the gaps happen, the paper lifts away while still
> holding tiny bits of traces. I used to get traces that didn't fuse
> to either the board or paper after transfer and would float in the
> water, but I don't see that much anymore.
>
> > 3) have you tried re-fusing the board after paper removal?
> >
>
> I have no idea what you mean by that.
>
> I was looking at Pulsar's webpage and I noticed that in their tips and
> tricks page they list my printer as one of about 5 which they have had
> reports of not working. I'm using a Brother HL-2040.
>
>
>


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