Homebrew PCBs

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 16:42:03 +0000, Susan Kivlin <sac@...> wrote:

>
> Hi,
> I've been reading for a while but have never contributed so I hope you
> don't mind me asking a
> question.  Here at the university I've all the facilities for pcb
> manufacture but my printer is to be
> replaced with a new one.  The printer that I have, although it is
> 1200dpi, spreads the ink to the
> extremes of tracks and solid copper areas, this as you know can cause
> pitting.  It also stretches
> the transparencies I use ( I've tried others with the same results ).
> This is OK for small or
> undrilled pcbs but for large i.e. > than 100mm by 160mm that have
> already been drilled this causes
> line up problems.  The software I use, Target 3001, enables me to
> compensate for printers that
> don't print true 100% but the stretch in my print outs vary each time, I
> guess from the heat in the roller.
> So my question is does any one have any recommendations for a printer.
> The printer I use at the moment is an Hp laserjet 1200.
> Thanks in advance
> Susan
>

Some have reported good results with tracing paper instead of  
transparencies.
Others swear inkjet is the way to go, as there is no distortion.
There seems to be a big variety in ohp transparency quality, but if you  
already tried a few..
The fuser temperature is not that much different with other printers, but  
the transport system might be.

I didn't know anyone outside Germany uses Target, how is the 3001 version?  
I think about buying
it because anything better is unafordable, but haven't actually done any  
tests on the new version.
I used to use 2001, and it was a nightmare compared to orcad.

ST