On Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:47:39 -0000, you wrote:
>Just had another idea.
>How about coating the PCB with a very thin layer of laser printer toner. A powder coating set up would work well for that i.e. uniform electrostatic attraction of the particles to the copper. Then use a laser diode on a CNC mill or flatbed plotter to fuse the resist to the board.
> I also thought that powder coat paint might work but it requires a long heat cycle to cure it properly.
>
>It may be time to destroy an old CD burner and try this.
>
>Any thoughts??
>
>Sage
>
Another idea from the twilight zone:
Could you apply reprap/3-d printer ideas to applying toner? Make an injector with
a really fine orifice (ss hypodermic tubing?) and load the extruder with toner powder.
What little I've read on reprap indicates the current designs work in the temperature
range we would need. It wouldn't take much toner to do a whole board.
Might need a heated platen to make things stick; maybe preheat to 300-350F.
You might be able to "diddle" the temperature with lower temperature along the
edge to keep the line sharp and hotter in the middle for better flow/coverage.
Would also have to hold the board pretty flat.
FWIW
Keith Bowers WB4LSJ- Thomasville, NC