Homebrew PCBs

Hi, I'm a new user so I'm not 100% sure how this works, so here goes: I have a Roland DXY-880A plotter but I can't get it to work as I don't have a manual and I have mucked-up the switch settings. Do you (or anyone) have anything you can send me with the DIP switch settings on, I'd be happy to buy a manual or photocopy if anyone has anything available. I've tried everywhere to get a manual or switch info and even Roland can't help. I've found lots of people looking though :-)

TIA

David

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Trevor Matthews <bigtrev97@...> wrote:
>
> I have used direct plotting to PCB in the past, and gave it up a few years
> ago.  I had ink flow problems which would result in the traces not being
> draw thickly enough several times through a plot.  I was using 0.35mm pen
> (so that I could do some thin traces) and I don't know if a larger pen size
> would help.  I wrote a Dephi (pascal) prgram which took the plot file and
> after a length of drawn line, inserted a number of pen up, backspace, pen
> down commands to 'shake' the pen and try and get more ink to the tip.
> 
>   If you want to try here are some of the things you need to know:
> 
>    You need to use a tungsten carbide 'X' point tip (the other tips are too
> soft)
>    the pen is raised up by the addition of a washer placed below the ring of
> the pen holder - experimentation will show you how low to put the ring so
> that the pen holder can pick it up, and how high to put it so that the pen
> tip is still flat on the surface of the board.
>    tape a peice of paper to the bed, and plot the board to the paper
>    Tape an oversized piece of PCB over the plot drawn above.
>    Fill the pen with ink (I tried for ages to find the right one, it was a
> steadler ink.  I think I still might have some at home if you want me to dig
> out the part number, but IIRR it was out of production the last time I
> bought some)
>    Plot the board
>    clean the pen - the only way to do this close to properly is to use an
> ultrasonic cleaning bath.  I ended up dissasembling the pen while cleaning
> (I'm told you shouldn't really do this!) as it could easily spent a couple
> of hours in the bath with me changing the solvent every 10 mins or so.
>   then etch and protect the board as usual.\
> 
>    I eventually gave up due to the trace issue above, and I couldn't
> translate it to double sided with any degree of accuracy.
> 
> Trev
> 
> On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 1:26 AM, <casy_ch@...> wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > Don
> >
> > Could you send me your private adress to <casy_ch at tbwil dot ch>. I have
> > files for you.
> >
> > Jean-Claude
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: VK3YV
> > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 4:23 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Inkjet or Laser for PCB work?
> >
> > Hi Jean-Claude, that is a big help, now I need to know the DIP switch
> > settings, I will be using the parallel port, and hopefully be able to use
> > it
> > with win xp, do you still have the dip switch settings?
> > Many thanks,
> > Don VK3YV........
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <casy_ch@... <casy_ch%40tbwil.ch>>
> > To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>>
> > Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 12:08 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Inkjet or Laser for PCB work?
> >
> > > Hi Don
> > >
> > > In the past I have had a DXY800 and later a DXY1150.
> > >
> > > All use HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphic Language). Your programm should
> > have
> > > a HPGL driver and will generate a <xx.PLT> file.
> > >
> > > If you go to:
> > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPGL
> > > you will find the language it is using.
> > >
> > > 73 de Jean-Claude, Switzerland
> > > HE9EZX
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: VK3YV
> > > To: Homebrew_PCBs@...m <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 3:02 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Inkjet or Laser for PCB work?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi, on seeing you are using a Roland Plotter for pcb drawing I have a
> > > query,
> > > I have a Roland DXY 800 for which I have no information i.e.. dip switch
> > > settings etc. that I would also like to use for PCB work. I have no
> > > information at all about it , I don't even know what language it talks.
> > > Can
> > > any one help, I have searched for hours but cant find anything regarding
> > > setup or language/ emulation .
> > > Regards,
> > > Don VK3YV.....
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "P COUNSELL" <pcounsell@...<pcounsell%40btinternet.com>
> > >
> > > To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>>
> > > Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 8:54 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Inkjet or Laser for PCB work?
> > >
> > > > Unfortunately athough I have some pens whuch were designed for pcbs
> > > they
> > > > are no longer availabe for rowland plotters. I do not see that as a big
> > > > problem . I intend to use EDDING 404 PEN TIPS with edding 404 refill
> > > ink
> > > > with a homemade holder. I will first try recharging my existing tips
> > > when
> > > > they run out with EDDING PERMANENT MARKER REFILL INK, I expect this to
> > > > work fine.
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: P COUNSELL
> > > > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2010 10:41 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Inkjet or Laser for PCB work?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I modified my DXY880a very easily by using a piece of standard pcb
> > > board
> > > > so that the pen height was perfect for standard thickness pcbs.
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: borgrailuk
> > > > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2010 9:30 PM
> > > > Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Inkjet or Laser for PCB work?
> > > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > Sounds interesting. How did you modify the plotter pen height and which
> > > > pens/ink did you use?
> > > >
> > > > I have a DXY1200 - not too keen to modify height but am planning on
> > > using
> > > > a slightly thinner pcb, which will fit.
> > > >
> > > > Stephen Freeman
> > > >
> > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "P COUNSELL" <pcounsell@>
> > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I have a very good dos program CADPAK and I use an old rowland
> > > DXY-880A
> > > > plotter. Results are fantastic . I modified the height of the plotter
> > > pen
> > > > to accomodate standard thickness PCB board. Only problem is it wont do
> > > > tracks fine enough for intertrack knecking , itis also very slow on
> > > > printing directly onto the copperlaminate but I have a cup of tea. Fine
> > > > for prototyping.
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: Bob Butcher
> > > > > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 9:53 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Inkjet or Laser for PCB work?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I have had a lot of trouble with toner transfer as well. My Brother
> > > > 1440 laser printer toner will not release reliably from any paper I
> > > have
> > > > found. I have heard the toner has a higher melting temperature than
> > > some
> > > > other printers, but am not sure what the problem is.
> > > > > I am not sure how you plan to modify the Artisan 50 inkjet printer to
> > > > directly print on the rigid PCB material. Another thing to consider,
> > > most
> > > > of the ink jet ink I have seen is water soluble, so the etchant will
> > > > dissolve the ink before it has a chance. I know there are ink jet
> > > printers
> > > > that are capable of using solvent based inks, but all the ones I have
> > > seen
> > > > are very expensive, in the several thousands of dollar range. You can
> > > buy
> > > > inexpensive "paint pens" from art and craft stores that might be useful
> >
> > > if
> > > > you could find a flat bed printer that could be adapted to pens. I have
> >
> > > on
> > > > old large format HP printer designed for CAD drafting that uses pens,
> > > but
> > > > the pen only moves on one axis, and the paper is fed back and forth by
> > > a
> > > > roller system for the other axis. The paper is wrapped around the
> > > rollers,
> > > > so it cannot be easily adapted to a rigid PCB. If someone had a flat
> > > bed
> > > > printer with a moving pen on two axes, that might work. Sounds like an
> > > old
> > > > school
> > > > > chart recorder might work, if you could find a working model that
> > > would
> > > > interface to a modern computer.
> > > > >
> > > > > Bob
> > > > >
> > > > > --- On Wed, 7/21/10, gnuvvekaavaali <gnuvvekaavaali@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > From: gnuvvekaavaali <gnuvvekaavaali@>
> > > > > Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Inkjet or Laser for PCB work?
> > > > > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 12:22 AM
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I am looking for suggestions on the choice of
> > > > >
> > > > > Inkjet (for direct inkjet printing) or laser
> > > > >
> > > > > printer (toner transfer) for the occasional single sided PCB.
> > > > >
> > > > > I don't see I will be needing very thin or dense tracks.
> > > > >
> > > > > My experience with toner transfer have not been too good. I
> > > > >
> > > > > used a Samsung Laser printer, and a hot clothes iron,
> > > > >
> > > > > with different types of paper.
> > > > >
> > > > > Best results have been with glossy magazine paper, but still
> > > > >
> > > > > had some improper transfers.
> > > > >
> > > > > The Epson Artisan 50 inkjet seems to be moddable for direct pcb
> > > > printing, and I can get that for cheap.
> > > > >
> > > > > Wondering if this is a easier and reliable way than toner transfer.
> > > > >
> > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ------------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> > > > Photos:
> > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > > Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3044 - Release Date: 08/02/10
> > > 04:40:00
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> > > Photos:
> > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3044 - Release Date: 08/02/10
> > 04:40:00
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> > 
> >
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>