Homebrew PCBs

Mark,

Using a 3D printer to apply a mask is an interesting idea. I think the PCB
would have to be kept warm so the plastic sticks. After etching, how would
you get the plastic off or would you just leave it? I suspect it would
contaminate the solder joints if left too close to the holes.

Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Mark Lerman
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2013 6:17 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] convert inkjet printer into wax printer

I spent a lot of time both with a Phaser wax printer and with direct
printing of resist using an Epson printer. While wax is a great resist, the
Phaser was impossibly difficult to modify and more importantly, the Phaser
firmware had it cleaning the printhead and drum many times. Apparently the
wax causes a lot of clog problems. 
Likewise the Epson printer. The ink clogs the nozzles on a regular basis,
requiring a lot of cleaning to keep the nozzles clear.  You end up spending
way more time screwing around with the printer than doing anything useful.

What might work very well is using a 3D printer to deposit plastic on the
pcb directly. I have a 3D printer and will try it and post the results. If
it works, a relatively simple XY table could be easily implemented, or you
can purchase one of the really inexpensive 3D printer kits. As a bonus, it
could also drill holes. And, if one wants to get truly creative you might be
able to print conductive material directly on FR4, eliminating the etch.
Most of the 3D printers can accommodate a heated bed that can "cure"
conductive inks.

Of course, if you are building a cnc, you might want to use it to route the
pcbs and be done with it. I also have a pretty good cnc mill designed for
pcbs. I don't use it much because it is slow, noisy, requires multiple tool
changes, creates a lot of dust (use a vacuum system), and often produces
defective boards, mainly because the pcb has to either be held very flat, or
be "mapped", requiring even more sophisticated equipment ($$$).

Mark