Mike Putnam wrote:
>>I'd just like to know if anyone has done fine-pitch 256 pin fpga or cpu
>>boards with a laser...
>>
> The printer is not as big an issue as you think. I have done boards with
> FPGA on them in the past with a laser printer. All of my boards have been
> made with laser. I made them for a customer. He complimented the work and
> ordered more. Quit running down laser printers and look closer at your
> process. It is getting tiresome to hear the same ranting and raving about
> the printer type on this list. Others have mentioned that they have had
> success with them. If you have been following the thread, someone has also
> mentioned that the transparency type makes a difference. Telling everyone to
> avoid laser printers is spreading misinformation and is not helpful to this
> list.
I spent 2 years looking for a cheap way to get good consistant print-outs.
Lasers never worked for finer stuff. If you can say definitely that you can do
fpga boards with 8mil tracks and spacing over the lifetime of the printer, i'll
shut up. Also, can you get good alignment for 1mm via pads when doing double-sided
PCBs? (thermal expansion problems). With the right inkjet, i can make perfect
(15x15cm) double-sided boards with 0.8mm track and spacing and 64pin 0.1" connectors
with no alignment problems with 0.8/1.0mm via pads. I do get some breaks and
shorts because of dust or "stuck" resist. Suitable inkjets (like epson stylus colour)
go for $5 or give-away on ebay while lasers cost a lot more.