Homebrew PCBs

On 12/24/10 9:48 AM, jwdufass wrote:
>  
>
> OK team, I have an Epilog Helix laser
> (http://www.www.epiloglaser.com). While this can't etch the copper off
> a PCB, it can do a very nice job of etching coatings off of copper,
> down to a VERY fine resolution.
>
> Question is: What could easily be used to coat a copper clad board
> that will be resistant to the etchant (pick your flavor).
>
> Ideally, the coating could also serve as a solder mask, and the
> process could go something like this:
>
> * Coat the copper
> * Reverse lase the board to remove the coating
> * Etch
> * Optionally re-coat (or clean and coat with a different substance)
> * Lase to remove coating from copper pads
>
> Any thoughts?
>
I don't have any particular experience, but have seen a few
instructables on this, and similar posts online, a quick google search
should turn up some ideas. I'd be interested to hear any results you may
have as you experiment with this, as I have just recently joined
TechShop here in San Francisco where I have access to several of these
Epilog laser systems. I've bee curious about the possibilities wrt PCB
etching.

-Matt

> John R.
> Beaver Dam, WisCOWnsin
>
> 



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