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

Richard Heiliger has posted on the Inkjet_PCB_Construction YAHOO group
a simple conversion of the EPSON R280 inkjet printer for straight
through printing on pcbs.

The EPSON R200 series will print on CDs and has a built in mechanism
to raise the printhead which makes it very easy to do.

What is more significant is that he uses the EPSON with regular ink to
make pcbs by "Toner Dustng".

Toner dusting is simply using the wet inkjet ink as a temporary
adhesive for toner powder. Prep the pcb as you normally would for
toner transfer - scrub and rinse in solvent. While the ink is still
wet pour on some toner, let dry, then blow off the excess toner, fuse
on a hotplate and process normally.

It does work very well!. Very simple. Use the premium CD print
settings to automatically raise the head and add extra ink.

I ran some successful trials on an unmodified EPSON R220, using 0.040"
pcb stock and fitting a piece within the CD tray.

I was able to fit a free EAGLE sized pcb (3" x4") in the tray with a
little dremel work to square off the circle.

My own variation on the process was to try electrostatic paint powder
(availible at SEARS for about $6) instead of toner for a heavier and
colored coating. The idea is a possible printable solder mask.

Myc