--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "gpcheshire" <cucheshire@...> wrote:
>
> I took apart an old remote control and I am realizing that with only one layer of copper the PCB has manages two layers of electrical connectivity. The layer stackup appears to be
> fr4 -> copper -> solder mask 1 -> solder mask 2 -> black conductive material
>
Wasn't there some buzz a while back about printing conductive traces from an inkjet? Here is what I have on it:
http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcb/direct-inkjet-metal-traces.htm there are links to other inks / methods at the bottom of that page.
I'm thinking after the main copper layer, with power and other high current traces, is etched and done, the pcb goes into an inkjet where regular non-conductive, heat curable ink (like MISPRO or Durabrite) is printed to form the solder mask (perhaps several passes with drying / curing between) then the conductive ink is printed on top of that.
The conductive ink would be used for signal traces only.
Just from memory, I don't think anyone in this group has experimented with these.
And our friendly list owner will now remind us that inkjet PCB discussion has it's own group:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Inkjet_PCB_Construction/