Homebrew PCBs

It is a very interesting article until I get to this statement:

"The complete system comes in under $25,000."

For corporate use though, it isn't a bad price.


On Wed, 6 Apr 2005, Norm Stewart wrote:

> 
> Exerpt from an article in Electronic Design - maybe the epoxy is 
> available without the other paraphanelia.  I haven't looked into it - 
> just got the e-mail article this morning.  (the foil mentioned appears 
> to be just a mask to keep the epoxy restricted to the desired holes).
> For the complete article:
> 
> www.elecdesign.com/Articles/Index.cfm?AD=1&ArticleID=9984
> 
> 
> Norm
> 
> PLATED THROUGH HOLES
> The ProConduct system is designed to create plated through holes without 
> resorting to electroplating. The approach starts by applying an adhesive 
> foil to both sides of a board and then drilling the holes that will be 
> plated /(Fig. 4 
> <http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/9984/Figure_04.gif>)/. Application 
> of a conductive epoxy paste follows in a method of placing the board on 
> a vacuum table, applying the paste, and pressing it through the holes 
> /(Fig. 5 <http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/9984/Figure_05.jpg>)/. This 
> occurs for both sides of the board. After that, the foil on both sides 
> is removed /(Fig. 6 
> <http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/9984/Figure_06.jpg>). /
> 
> Next, the board is placed in an oven for about half an hour /(Fig. 7 
> <http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/9984/Figure_07.jpg>)/. At this 
> point, the board can be populated. The conductivity of hole plating is 
> nearly as good as the electroplated approach, and ProConduct is 
> significantly cleaner and easier to use. Typical resistance is 20 to 60 
> m(omega). The minimum size hole is 0.3 mm.
> 
> Plated through holes for multilayer boards are done in the same fashion 
> as double-layer boards. However, the layers are stacked before the 
> adhesive foil is applied.
> 
> LPKF Laser and Electronics
> /*www.lpkfusa.com*/
> 
> 
>