--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "gettingalongwouldbenice"
<gettingalongwouldbenice@y...> wrote:
>
>
> My pen plotter has run out of gas at 0.5 mil pitch.
> Trying to make the transfer to toner transfer.
> How do I get the gerber output to the laser printer?
> I downloaded Viewmate. Does an excellent job, but
> insists on putting the plot in the center of the page.
> And the free version is crippled so I can't save anything.
Why is placement in the middle of the page an issue? Not criticizing
just want to know.
>
> Is there a freeware gerber plotter that's less restricting?
>
I use viewmate - its pretty good for free but would dearly like to
save my panelized gerbers. Though not at the viewmate costs.
>
> I'm finding little detailed information on the toner transfer
> method. Mountains of anecdotal stuff, but almost no data.
>
there are several sites that espouse one TT aproach or another but no
systematic sites. I think its because there are too many variables
(paper, fusing device, toner, ...). You should just try it and see
what works for you. It doesn't take much experimentation to get
something that works.
> My iron is 450 degrees F. Is that good? bad? ugly? Time and pressure
> data is elusive. Yes, I can do all the experiments, but would be
> nice to avoid most of that.
>
450F will do a fine job of fusing toner to copper - its very likely
you could get by with lower but different toners have different fusing
points. Depends on your printer/toner. You might want to start with
30 lbs of pressure and 3 minutes per side. Be careful of too much
lateral force, though. I personally like inkjet paper because it
seems to be forgiving of too much pressure (i.e. I could really put a
lot of weight into it and not worry).