Just ran some test on the HP and it's much better than the other
laser I'd used. In fact, quality appeared on par to the best inkjets.
I've also added a database to the database section of this group so
others can share their rough experiences.
As mentioned by Adam, it would be better to have a more rigorous and
comparable test suite, but I figured I'd get the ball rolling with
some information now.
Cheers,
Ted
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Ted Inoue" <ted@s...> wrote:
> Exactly. The specific transparency film makes ALL the difference. I
> use Pictorico premium overhead transparency film and it is
absolutely
> superb. Printing with four different Epson Inkjets (1160, 1200, C82,
> and 2200) have yielded uniformly "perfect" result. Deep rich black
> that's tack sharp. No problems at all with 10 mil lines and scaling
is
> consistent enough that I couldn't measure any error using a
> micrometer.
>
> I've tried only two lasers, and a variety of transparency film for
> them and had no luck. As others mentioned, the scaling inhomogeneity
> was intolerable (off by several mm over a few inches) as was the
lack
> of really black printouts. However, I'm not saying that lasers can't
> do the job, just that the one's I've tried didn't work well.
>
> I would think the most productive thing would be to keep a record of
> all the printers and media that work or don't work. In this way, a
> newcomer can simply refer to a chart and have an easy time learning
> from the combined experience of those in the group.
>
> -Ted
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Adam Seychell
<adam_seychell@y..
> .> wrote:
> > I've seen many poor prints from inkjets too. The trick is to use
> > the corrct ink/printer and transparency combination. The
> > differences between the worst and the best is incredible.
> >
> >
> > rolanyang wrote:
> > > It's not that I've had amazing success with laser, but I
> > > haven't ever been able to make a quality transparency
> > > with the inkjet (Epson 800). It may have been the print
> > > mode or the plastic material, but the final art has
> > > always been somewhat ... transparent :(
> > >
> > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, adam Seychell
> > > <adam_seychell@y...> wrote:
> > > Professionals use inkjets when
> > >
> > >>it comes to making photomask for silk screening, ect.
> > >>If you have had good success with laser printed photomasks,
> > >>then please tell us more.
> > >>
> > >>With the epson inkjet/epson transparencies I can expose
> > >>boards at least five times the normal period and still have
> > >>perfect masking of the image. The only problem with such
> > >>long exposures is excessive light undercut.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>rolanyang wrote:
> > >>
> > >>>Laser printers can be bought for roughly $100 these days.
> > >>>It's hard to beat the consistent output and quality
> > >>>of toner on transparencies. Also, if you're adventurous
> > >>>enough, they are good for direct iron-on transfer to PCB's.
> > >>>
> > >>>At that price, it's almost not worth hours of fiddling
> > >>>with inkjets - unless someone figures out how to
> > >>>do the direct inkjet resist to pcb method.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and
> files:
> > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> com/info/terms/
> > >
> > >