On Thu, 31 Oct 2013 08:58:17 -0600, you wrote:
>
>
>On 10/31/2013 7:48 AM, Harvey White wrote:
>> On Wed, 30 Oct 2013 17:16:36 +0000, you wrote:
>>
>> >The results with a flat iron are too variable which laminator is best ?
>>
>> You're dealing with three variables, pressure, temperature, and time.
>
>Sounds to me like there is no cheap and simple laminator out there that
>is really suitable for our job so I have not bothered buying one.
The laminator I got cost about 30 to 40 USD. It has no temperature
setting. It seems to work well, 144 pin 0.5mm spacing FPGAs with
10/10 spacing.
>
>On the other hand, I seem to be whistling in the graveyard as not a
>single response has been made to my solution to getting it right all the
>time with and iron.
>
You won't get one from me, since the laminator I use works fine for me
with the equipment and board thickness I have.
I can do a larger board with the laminator (say 5 x 7) than I can do
with an iron. If I were doing only a small board, say one that would
fit on an iron, I'd be tempted to use it, but.... that's not my
average board size.
>The 3 variables mentioned, if properly controlled produce the required
>environment for the toner to transfer.
>
>If you use an IR thermometer to measure the board and transfer sheet
>temperature while ironing, you get the same results just by getting the
>temperature right. It takes time to get it their depending on board
>thickness and a bunch of other stuff and the weight of the iron does not
>change if you just move it around.
And the difference in calibrating your process to a laminator? Seems
to be the same in either case. The advantage of the laminator is that
the temperature and pressure are fixed, so if they work.........
>
>If it doesn't work the first time, try a different temp. If mushy, go
>lower. If incomplete transfer go higher. Change nothing else and it
>will work every time (more or less).
If incomplete transfer, run through more times, if mushy, try lower
board thickness, if you can adjust the temperature (some can) then go
that way as well.
>
>I find 300F works well for my stuff so that's a good place to start.
>
>You can buy IR thermometers for less than a laminator and they have lots
>of other uses like making martinis, etc.
Or use an iron-constantan thermocouple on a DMM.... another way.
>
>Try it.... say something, have a martini,
>
Something, and I prefer wine, thank you.....
<grin>
Harvey
>Jack
>
>
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