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

Hi all,

I have thought about the TT a bit.
The whole problem really is the paper - the second transfer makes it
complicated
and distorts the image.

I wonder if it would be possible to laser print on metal surface.
I have read up on how it works and found the following:

we start with the toner already on the drum in the right positions.
then the paper comes along, is charged by the corona wire, passes the
drum, where it takes
up the toner, and then is discharged by the second wire (to prevent it
sticking to the drum.)
where is this second wire in a laser jet IIId (hp)? i do not remember
seeing such a wire.

This is all i could find on the web.
Now what i could NOT find:


is the paper touching the drum, or is it only close by, how close?

the pcb wrapping around the drum is obviuosly no problem, we can live
without the detach wire
(which i couldn't find in the HP 3D).
we can simply discharge the pcb when it is past the drum completely.

the main problems i see:
is it a problem that the material is conductive? i wonder how the fine
dust can be precisely
transferred from the drum to the pcb. but i wonder about how this is
possible with paper
so maybe it works...

second problem: IF the paper actually touches the drum, the copper would
need to touch the drum too.
i see problems with wear/tear here (edges).


I would be willing to try it out someday, buy a old ebay printer and
convert it to transport
a pcb isolated (connected to the right wire) at the correct height.
But i know there are some people here knowing a lot about printers and
copiers, and maybe they
can tell me why it will not work so i needn't waste my time/money.

I would maybe not use a fuser, i think a infrared heater would work too.

I can see a huge amount of benefits if we could get rid of the second
(actually third) transfer.
think about the resolutions you could get, and there would be no paper
involved.
the pcb could go to the etch just after the printing.
(and you could print PERFECT component layout - colored if you use colored
toner)


I look forward to your answers (and i KNOW there are some out ther knowing
them
so ANSWER PLEASE!!!! )

thanks

ST