The problem seems there isn't any. Manufactures and resellers make a lot
of money from this. You will only find the 'users manual'. The most
'newbie' thing out there is Markus Zingg page that is not found
googling. (available on links here, thanks!)
My starting point was those manuals and MSDS from megauk, and some other
manufactures easyly find googling. Then I read what pcb's manufactures
say about they process in about 250 boardhouse webpages. Then google
about those process. Found almost nothing, except patents and so. The
link i give in the last post about pcb hole plating activation history
is the most valuable thing i found.
So
http://www.megauk.com/datasheets/5050_Data_Sheet_ABC_Panel_Plating_Instructions_(ver.11.08).pdf
http://www.thinktink.com/stack/volumes/volvi/copplate.htmhttp://electrochem.cwru.edu/ed/encycl/art-e01-electroplat.htmhttp://nr.stpi.org.tw/ejournal/proceedingA/v23n3/365-368.pdfThese are the things that more worth the time reading.
The baths are desmear-activation-platting, and have rinse and cleaners
baths between them. But for few homemade board activation and plating is
enough.
Activation is the most tricky part but is can be done in chemical bath
of many compositions i already told a mechanical way that can work...
and found another way.
Sodium metal is made from electrolysis of salty water. If you could make
an electrolysis between the two copper layers in a sodium bath of NaOH,
NaCO3 etc (NaCl shouldn't work) maybe it can leave the sodium inside the
hole. You need an high impedance power supply for this, limiting current
should be used. When the board short circuits it should be plated inside
the holes. (My guess)
Simao
Juan EA7FNJ wrote:
>
> Hi guys!
>
> Well, my problem is the chemistry: I would like to find a good guide
> about electroplating, but I don't find anything.
>
> Do you know about a good guide?
>
> 73
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Simao Cardoso <simaocardoso@...>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > I have just remembered other thing, once i read from some already dated
> > IPC documents, a way to activate the holes, beautiful for it
> simplicity.
> > Not much info just named and short explained, and that was still in
> > development.
> >
> > It consists in activate while drilling. The drill bit, make de hole and
> > then entered in a metallic bath, when exit the hole will place the
> > metallic components in the hole wall, while still rotating.
> >
> > Because all the dust made while drilling it should be better to drill
> > and clean first and then redrill with a tin or silver or other type
> > solution, in a soft cloth or so under the board.
> >
> > It can be an old, forgotten and bad results experiment, i just remember
> > to name it here.
> >
> > Simao
> >
> > Markus Zingg wrote:
> > >
> > > Juan,
> > >
> > > How to use it greatly depends on the chemistry used. The
> chemistry even
> > > defines howmany tanks you need, wether they are heated, the
> processing
> > > parameters etc. etc. My best advice to you is to first organize a
> > > chemistry, cause it's supplier will be able to tell you the
> processing
> > > requierements. Then build your station along them.
> > >
> > > HTH
> > >
> > > Markus
> > >
> > > Juan EA7FNJ schrieb:
> > > >
> > > > Hi guys!
> > > >
> > > > Ok, great machine! but, I can see how to make one but, where is the
> > > > manual 'how to use it'?
> > > >
> > > > xD
> > > >
> > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > > > <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>, "Steve" <alienrelics@>
> > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Have you checked the Links under "Plated Through Holes" yet?
> Not many
> > > > > links there, but it is something. Markus Zingg's page on
> through hole
> > > > > plating has been down for a while, but I just found where someone
> > > > > mirrored it and put that link in place of the missing site.
> > > > >
> > > > > http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/links
> > > > <http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/links>
> > > > >
> > > > > If you find any other links on through-hole plating, please
> place
> > them
> > > > > there.
> > > > >
> > > > > Steve Greenfield
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >