Mark,
The exercise to convert the old LJII to a toner fuser is an intermediate step for me. I can print the artwork on photopaper and get good boards, but the ironing of the artwork onto the copperclad is the most variable and error prone part for me. So I decided to make the LJ fuser to add some consistency to the process. I know that others have done this with laminators, but I have a pile of old LJ II and III printers lying around, so that's what I'm using. If this works out, it will be a big step forward in the paper toner transfer method for me and allow me to get some boards made.
That being said, I'm very interested in the direct transfer method, it obviously would be better than the paper process.
It sounds like you have some experience with this process, could you share some information or links on how to implement it, if possible with the older LJ III printers? Is the 600dpi enough for 10 mil lines and spaces? I've Googled it but found little information.
I just jumped into making my own PCBs with the toner transfer method and am a newb at it. So any direction you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Tim
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mark Lerman <mlerman@...> wrote:
>
>
> And, if I might reply to my own reply, a printing run takes a second
> or two, and if you don't like it you can wipe the board with a paper
> towel and run it through again.
>
>
>
> At 04:21 PM 10/26/2010, you wrote:
> >Toner transfers directly to pcb stock very easily, and very fine
> >traces can be achieved. The problems are more mechanical than
> >electrostatic. I, and several other people on this list have done
> >this over and over, using a variety of printers and mods. It's also
> >much easier to implement than either toner transfer or inkjet printing.
> >
> >Mark
> >
> >
> >At 12:55 PM 10/26/2010, you wrote:
> > >Tim,
> > >Before worrying about the fuser, can you accurately transfer the toner to
> > >the PCB?
> > >I expect that to be the big problem to overcome.
> > >Bertho
> > >==========================================================
> > >From: Tim S Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 11:46
> > >Hi LeMar,
> > >I only have the fuser and power supplys left in the LJ II. I stripped
> > >everything else off, I just wanted to be able to fuse the toner transfer
> > >artwork onto the copperclad instead of ironing it on. I just drive the
> > >SI-7300a stepper driver with a ATtiny2313 running a simple C program. That's
> > >as far as I have gotten thus far. Next, I plan to build a temperature
> > >controller for the fuser, based on the AC power supply from the LJ II. I
> > >will use a microprocessor to sense the temperature and turn the triac on and
> > >off to maintain a selected temperature in the fuser. Hopefully, this will
> > >allow me to fuse the artwork onto the copper by passing it through the LJ
> > >fuser. If there is interest, I will post my methods.
> > >
> > >I am interested in the direct printing, this is just an experiment to see if
> > >I can make this concept work for the .062 boards with toner transfer paper.
> > >If the fuser won't fuse the toner onto the copper, direct print won't work
> > >with these printers.
> > >Tim
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >------------------------------------
> > >
> > >Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> > >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------
> >
> >Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> >http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>