Homebrew PCBs

ok,

got back to testing that...

the silicone is simply spread into a very thin layer (i used a floppy disk  
as sqeegee).
The amount of silicon used is tiny, i do not consider it much of a cost  
factor (compared to buying inkjet paper it is sure cheaper).
My experiments so far have not shown slight unevenness to be a problem.

After drying (thin layer cures quickly) you simply print on it like on  
paper.

Then it is transferred with the fuser liek any other transfer. Instead of  
soaking you let it cool (to avoid the toner beeing still soft) and just  
peel of the paper. It comes off very easily and no toner is on the paper,  
nor is there any silicone on the PCB.

Ready.

see a test here, note that is the third transfer i made with silicone  
paper, 1mb:
<http://www.trethan.at.tf/pub/img1/pcbsil.jpg>


The spreading is there, severe, maybe.
I have used darkest toner setting, less may help.
However, the quality is the same if not better than my best transfer with  
inkjet paper and this one need not be rubbed or anything.
No problems with paper between traces or even inside drill holes and NO  
paper residue with component legend.


The preparing of the paper is an additional step i admit, but it is far  
less work than soaking and rubbing and can be done at any time preparing  
many sheets.

I tried baking paper in the past, but the toner is brushed off too easily.  
The silicone coated paper feels not slick, it is kind of sticky, but seems  
to realease the toner readily.

that method will certainly make PCB making easier for me. I hope to soon  
here from your results too.

Now, while the silicone problems with the lexan tank made me find this  
out, which is great, i still would hope to find a way to make that tank.  
standard silicone doesn't stick _at all_ on lexan. not sure what to do  
next....

ST