I have this question:
Does this black lights are switable for drifilm laminated too ? what would be the correct distance ?
Thanks for your help
________________________________
From: jcarlosmor <
jcarlosmor@...>
To:
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.comSent: Thursday, September 3, 2009 3:27:56 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Solder Mask
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@ yahoogroups. com, Andres Hernandez <afhernandez79@ ...> wrote:
>
> When you mean a black light fluorescent lamps are the ones that are used into some clubes that makes your theet shine ?... or to see if a bill is original ?... if so what is the power of it ?.
>
> I have 8 tubes of UV lamps of 20W each... does it work right ?.
>
> Who sells that UV solder mask ?... US ? UK ?
>
> What about the art for the components (white drawings) ? Is the same procedure ?
>
> Thanks for your help
>
> AFHN
>
Yes, some people use UV lighting for entertainment (which is dangerous for the eyes and skin). Although if you ask them, it seems that they do not know about the hazards and they do not do it with a bad intention. They only think that "black light" is for decoration or so.
Never use UV germicidal lamps. Those lamps are transparent glass and are not intended for UV PCB making. Also they are very very dangerous.
The lamps suitable for PCB are the most common and cheap "black light fluorescent tubes" in the market. You can found them in several versions. Avoid the "disco lamp, black light techno" stuff advertised as specialized lamps. They may include some coatings to be very attractive for the eyes in disco fiesta-party, but may affect the wavelenght that is optimal for PCB.
You are reduced then to the BL and BLB types of black lighting. Some models of BLB include a painted "filter", which could be dark blue or even brown ("wood filter"). They may work but then again your PCB may not respond well.
So stick with the BL models. When they are not powered up, they look exactly like a normal white fluorescent light. No coating, no painting, etc. When they are powered up, they emit a dim light-purple- blue tone. However, the radiation of UV is consistent and powerful, so always use a box or container to expose your PCBs.
A common part number is F15T8BL lamps. Some substitutes may be encountered for different manufacturers. Remember, there is nothing special or magic with the lamps in commercial UV imaging systems. They only use the right kind of lamp, which, fortunately, is a very basic, common, and cheap type.
With eight 20-Watt lamps you could build a very decent double sided UV imaging system (four lamps by side).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]