That link points to a process that's only intended for hole wall activation. You still have to electroplate afterwards to have permanent connections between the layers. What is described in the book is the use of a conductive glue that completely fills the vias (and leaves little bumps on the surface of the PCB) when it sets up / cures.
The author does not offer any insight as to why a commercial manufacturer might go for this method over electroplating, as his book is just about repair. He basically points these out only to say that he's seen problems with them-- and they can't really be fixed in an electronics shop.
I've no idea what glue they'd use, unless it's the silver-bearing epoxy stuff. The usual complaint about that stuff is that it's expensive
But for hand-made PCBs it's probably not out of line.
I'm interested because I've been investigating electroplating, and while it seems straightforward it does involve liquids that have to be disposed of, and fumes, and I'm trying real hard to develop a complete process that I can use in a lab that sadly doesn't have a sink or good ventilation.
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "studleylee" <indigo_red@...> wrote:
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> goto http://www.thinktink.com/stack/volumes/volvi/condink.htm
>
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "ohmware" <kaelin@> wrote:
> >
> > I just read something that intrigued me in the book "How to Diagnose and Fix Everything Electronic" by Michael Jay Geier. He talks about some newer PCBs in commercially manufactured produces using conductive glue in through-holes rather than plating. He goes on to say that he hates seeing these, as he has found them to be a s
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