Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Leon Heller" <leon.heller@...>
wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "derekhawkins" <eldata@...>
> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 2:41 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Epson direct pcb printing results
> 
> 
> > >I'm starting to get the impression that direct to pcb
> >>inkjet printing will be like the Toner Transfer
> >>process
> >
> > Well, TANSTAAFL! But seriously, if off-the-shelf inks won't work then
> > dabble a bit in some homebrew ink chemistry. The "no sponge" type
empty
> > ink cartridges would be ideal for ink experiments. You can wash them
> > out and start again.
> 
> It would probably be best to forget the printer, initially, and just
paint 
> the ink on. I used to make PCBs that way, many years ago, with
cellulose 
> paint. It was quite an effective resist, much better than those
expensive 
> Dalo pens that were sold for the purpose. Perhaps it could be
thinned down 
> and put into an ink cartridge. 8-)

Painting inkjet ink will not give the same results. The printer lays a
-very- thin layer, much thinner (and more even) than you could ever do
just brushing it on.

Inkjet ink has a -lot- of work put into specific chemistries so that
the ink does not dry and clog the head, along with all the other
factors. Markers tend to carry ink that dries much faster than inkjet ink.

Why not just mix the yellow and magenta, and fill every cartridge in
an inkjet printer with it for PCBs? That way it doesn't matter that
the driver will use a mix of colors for black and for the edges where
it mixes multiple colors to get shades of grey.

Connect them all up to the same bulk ink bottle.

Steve Greenfield