Do you know what a GERBER machine is? It is used to
make a photo mask. The GERBER is a laser photo
plotter.
I worked on the original at Dickson Eletronics in
Scottsdale in 1969.
Bob Macklin
Seattle, Wa.
--- DJ Delorie <
dj@...> wrote:
>
> I seem to be seeing a trend here, that regardless of
> the techniques
> used, with care one can get to 6/6 rules. How do we
> get past that?
> It must be possible in theory, as the big fabs do
> it.
>
> My laser printer does 1.3 mil "lines" (600dpi) but
> the quality isn't
> good enough to do so reliably (fuzzy edges); I need
> at least 3-4
> pixels across to get good definition with TT.
>
> I think the various elements are:
>
> ∗ Getting a print with crisp edges at fine
> resolutions.
>
> ∗ Getting that print onto the board as etch resist.
>
> ∗ Consistent etching with little side-etch.
>
> ∗ Thinner copper?
>
> Does anyone get 5/5 or better, reliably, with home
> etch? If so, how?
>
> Random thoughts:
>
> Would a 1200 dpi laser printer give better edges, or
> just smoother
> curves? Is there a paper trick to keeping the toner
> were it's
> supposed to be?
>
> I read one home fabber printed their TT at a 45
> degree angle to get
> more consistent results.
>
> Photo: Inkjets can do 1440 and sometimes 2880 dpi,
> what limits those
> to 6/6? Would having the UV source further away
> from the board result
> in better edges? What about the thickness of the
> photomask?
>
> What about 1/4 oz copper? I usually use 1/2 oz, and
> I haven't seen
> 1/4 oz in my usual places.
>
> Injets: Anyone try writing a custom print driver
> that forces all the
> colors to be used, overlapping, making a nice thick
> print? I've tried
> doing that with my color laser, but I haven't found
> the command to
> turn off the "smarter than the user" mode.
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new
> Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
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>
>
>