Homebrew PCBs

Interesting idea... Perhaps a hotplate could be adapted?

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, DJ Delorie <dj@...> wrote:
>
> 
> Reminds me of an idea I want to try someday.  Combine an aluminum plate,
> soldering iron inserts, and a vaccuum pump - put the pcb and TT on the
> plate, cover with something as if you were doing UV exposure, vacuum it
> down to force it against the pcb (and the pcb against the plate), use
> the soldering iron inserts in the plate to heat it appropriately, cool,
> release the vaccuum.
> 
> Alternately - three layers.
> 
> Top -> lid, strong enough to withstand the vaccuum
> 
> Middle -> flexible plastic sheet that the TT paper is stuck to via
> static cling or something.  Normally it would rest 0.1" or so above the
> PCB.
> 
> Bottom -> aluminum plate with heating inserts and pcb.
> 
> At first, you apply vaccuum evenly to the top and bottom halves, so you
> pump out all the air but don't press the TT to the pcb.  Then, you let
> air back into the top, which presses the TT against the pcb,
> guaranteeing no air bubbles (since the bottom half is still a vaccuum).
> Then you heat and cool the plate to adhere it, then release the vaccuum.
> In theory, perfect adhesion - correct temperature, even pressure, no air
> bubbles.  Should work for UV film too, and you could mount the LEDs in
> the cover to double as an exposure box.
>