Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

previous by date index next by date
previous in topic topic list next in topic

Subject: Re: Produce Quick & Cheap PCBs with a CNC paper cutter

From: "AlienRelics" <alienrelics@...>
Date: 2012-06-15

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Leslie Schwartz" <lhs_emf@...> wrote:
>
> Do you have any recommendations for a pen plotter machines?
>
> I have seen a lot of large and some small format pen plotters on ebay, for
> which I think it would be hard to find drivers, even if they are
> comparatively inexpensive.

I think someone else mentioned that HP HPGL/GPGL drivers are still within Windows. Make sure it is actually a serial or parallel interface. Many HP plotters use a DB-25 which looks like it might be a serial connection, but it is a different interface who's name escapes me at the moment.

> I also have an old Epson 3000 stylus which is a medium size flatbed inkspray
> printer which might work for a direct resist print method, but not sure it
> would accommodate a pcb thickness.

Good question. When I did some tests with an Epson 5000 and 3000, I was using some 1/32 inch PCB. I've since then gotten a couple of R200 which I know will take 1/16th inch in the CD tray without modification. And an Epson 4800 that needs some work that I am pretty sure will take 1/16th, too.

Steve Greenfield AE7HD