On Fri, 07 May 2004 08:34:03 -0700, Richard Mustakos <
rmustakos@...>
wrote:
> Hi
> This is going to sound a little OT.
This is as spot on topic as it gets.
I'm highly interested in this, and others too.
The problem with inkjet printing is NOT the flatbed printer.
the problem is we do not know if we can apply a good layer of resist
directly on copper.
PLEASE run a piece of aluminium kitchen foil through the printer first,
and make it work. stick it to a sheet of paper.
You can even etch the aluminium with the common etchants to see if it is a
good resist.
A short note on how i would go about converting the printer:
Don't go for a flatbed approach.
there is a much more simple way.
you simply "balance" a big pcb (or other plate) on the main transport
roller (the one under
the head.
this roller moves at the exactly correct speed already.
The plate can be stabilised by running on a single center rail.
the paper feed switch if often optical, and can simply be mounted so that
this plate.
operated it.
You only need to raise the print head a bit, which should not pose a
problem.
PLEASE try to aluminium foil first, it is easy to do and will provide fast
results.
there is NO point in making a flatbed printer and then trashing it because
the printing
itself doesn't work.
For ink i would try the permanent marker ink you use to touchup boards,
maybe diluted
1:1 with alcohol.
Especially the epson 400/600 are very interesting, because they are piezo
and widely
available. it think if any printer works then it will be one of these.
ST