Homebrew_PCBs

Hi,

My newest (and best) way for making PCBs is to use Hot Stamping foil
("for laser printers & photocopiers") instead of the backing paper.

I've been using the laser labels backing paper for making PCB's, but
it always left tiny dots where the toner was too thin.

I get the foil from my local office supply store. The one I use is
called "GeoFoil", but there are other brands as well.

It is a product that is used to stick to hot toner (laser printer or
photocopier).

The main advantage over toner only is that the foil fills in all the
holes left in the toner image. That creates a better etch resist.

The way I use it is as follows:

1) print the PCB image on the back (gray or dull side) of the
transfer foil...

***actually, just use the directions for using the "PCB Blue" sheets.

10) for best results apply a lot of heat and very little pressure.


The results are great. I can print down to .005in lines .010in spaces.
Takes a bit of practice, but even double sided boards are doable.

I use an old hot foil printing machine, but the regular iron works
almost as well and is much cheaper.

One place to get the foils if local office supplies store doesn't
carry them (in great quantities) is at:
http://www.crownrollleaf.com/foils.html

They will also send you free samples if you ask for them (and
qualify :)

The price varies. I got the GeoFoil on clearance sale last month for
$1.50 per pack of 10 sheets (various colours). I suppose, the regular
price is the same as the PCB Blue stuff, but available locally. No
shipping costs and no waiting.


John Myszkowski...
=============================

may you describe for which use this stamping foil is made?
i have no idea how it is called here.

">> It is a product that is used to stick to hot toner (laser printer or

>>>photocopier)."

yes but for which purpose?
if i go to a paper shop and ask for that they will come up with a sheet op plain copier paper (and of
course looking strange at me).

please specify the purpose of this foil more exactly.

has ramon tejeda already posted his "toner transfer" tool?

he wrote me that he is using a old laser printer fuser assy for transfering the toner.
he has no heater regulation till now but this should be no problem i think.

he drives it by a geared motor and a small gearbox.
but i think also a ahndcrank may do it.

he also provided a photo of the unit.

maybe anyone wants to try this...

regards
stefan





13.05.2003 03:44:54, "John Myszkowski" <myszka_us2000@...> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>My newest (and best) way for making PCBs is to use Hot Stamping foil
>("for laser printers & photocopiers") instead of the backing paper.
>
>I've been using the laser labels backing paper for making PCB's, but
>it always left tiny dots where the toner was too thin.
>
>I get the foil from my local office supply store. The one I use is
>called "GeoFoil", but there are other brands as well.
>
>It is a product that is used to stick to hot toner (laser printer or
>photocopier).
>
>The main advantage over toner only is that the foil fills in all the
>holes left in the toner image. That creates a better etch resist.
>
>The way I use it is as follows:
>
>1) print the PCB image on the back (gray or dull side) of the
>transfer foil...
>
>***actually, just use the directions for using the "PCB Blue" sheets.
>
>10) for best results apply a lot of heat and very little pressure.
>
>
>The results are great. I can print down to .005in lines .010in spaces.
>Takes a bit of practice, but even double sided boards are doable.
>
>I use an old hot foil printing machine, but the regular iron works
>almost as well and is much cheaper.
>
>One place to get the foils if local office supplies store doesn't
>carry them (in great quantities) is at:
>http://www.crownrollleaf.com/foils.html
>
>They will also send you free samples if you ask for them (and
>qualify :)
>
>The price varies. I got the GeoFoil on clearance sale last month for
>$1.50 per pack of 10 sheets (various colours). I suppose, the regular
>price is the same as the PCB Blue stuff, but available locally. No
>shipping costs and no waiting.
>
>
>John Myszkowski...
>=============================
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Yes, this is a -great- tip!

Stefan, the way this stuff is used:

Print a page on your laser printer. Say you print the headline in big
bold letters.

Cut out a rectangle of this foil transfer just big enough to fit over
the headline. Tape it down with small pieces of heat resistant tape
(usually supplied with the foil transfer). Send the page back through
the laser printer without printing anything on it, this is to send it
through the hot fuser roller again.

Peel the foil transfer off- the foil has stuck to the toner in the
headline, tada! Metallic text. You may also use a laminator if you
have one that has a "laser foil" or "foil transfer" setting, otherwise
it'll be too cold.

Most office supply stores and paper stores will carry it. Some call it
"Laser Foil".

Here's a link to one supplier, I cannot endorse them because I've only
just found them by a web search and not bought from them.
http://www.expectdiscounts.com/rtc-llc/laserfoil.html

Steve Greenfield


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Stefan Trethan
<stefan_trethan@g...> wrote:

> may you describe for which use this stamping foil is made?
> i have no idea how it is called here.
>
> ">> It is a product that is used to stick to hot toner (laser

printer or

> >>>photocopier)."
>
> yes but for which purpose?
> if i go to a paper shop and ask for that they will come up with a

sheet op plain copier paper (and of

> course looking strange at me).
>
> please specify the purpose of this foil more exactly.
>

thank you..

i have never ever heared of this.
i have no idea if i can get it here.

regards
st

13.05.2003 16:53:02, "Steve" <alienrelics@...> wrote:

>Yes, this is a -great- tip!
>
>Stefan, the way this stuff is used:
>
>Print a page on your laser printer. Say you print the headline in big
>bold letters.
>
>Cut out a rectangle of this foil transfer just big enough to fit over
>the headline. Tape it down with small pieces of heat resistant tape
>(usually supplied with the foil transfer). Send the page back through
>the laser printer without printing anything on it, this is to send it
>through the hot fuser roller again.
>
>Peel the foil transfer off- the foil has stuck to the toner in the
>headline, tada! Metallic text. You may also use a laminator if you
>have one that has a "laser foil" or "foil transfer" setting, otherwise
>it'll be too cold.
>
>Most office supply stores and paper stores will carry it. Some call it
>"Laser Foil".
>
>Here's a link to one supplier, I cannot endorse them because I've only
>just found them by a web search and not bought from them.
>http://www.expectdiscounts.com/rtc-llc/laserfoil.html
>
>Steve Greenfield
>
>
>--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Stefan Trethan
><stefan_trethan@g...> wrote:
>> may you describe for which use this stamping foil is made?
>> i have no idea how it is called here.
>>
>> ">> It is a product that is used to stick to hot toner (laser
>printer or
>> >>>photocopier)."
>>
>> yes but for which purpose?
>> if i go to a paper shop and ask for that they will come up with a
>sheet op plain copier paper (and of
>> course looking strange at me).
>>
>> please specify the purpose of this foil more exactly.
>>
>
>
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

The best instructions for the foil method:
http://www.techniks.com/how_to.htm

The second place is:
http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/jun99/jayc.html

The only difference is the FOIL type. Instead of using the "PnP PCB
Blue" foil sheets, you use ANY foil that is meant for hot or cold
transfer.

The foils for "cold" transfer are similar, but the release agent is
not necessarily needed to be heated. It will still work.

Why it works: the toner is actually same as "hot-glue", but in powder
form. If the "hot-glue" is placed on a non-stick surface first (like
on a label backing material), then it can be transfered to another
surface that has better adhesion proprties (like paper or copper) by
heating and pressing it to the new surface.

The "foil" is a multi layer coated material. Best place to check out
is the Crown Foil website (as indicated in my previous post). They
specialize in making ALL kinds of foils for heat transfer.

The backing material for these foils is usually a very thin Milar
sheet. A release material (ie. wax) is then deposited on one surface.
Then a colour or a metal is deposited on top of the release material.
This is an extremely thin layer which may be as thin as one molecule.
A backing is sprayed on top of the colour.

Milar
wax
colour
backing(gray)

That is all that is needed for our purposes.
We print the laser image (toner) on to the "backing" side.
We then take the printed sheet and place it down on the copper.
Laser printed image touching the copper.
Apply hot iron to the Milar side.
Lift Milar sheet.

What is left on the copper:
toner PCB pattern(black)
backing (gray)
colour (whichever colour you chose)
bit of wax

That makes up for a good etch resist.
The metallic colour part (if used in the foil)will etch a bit, BUT!
the gray backing makes an excellent toner sealer.

I will try to make some photos of the process, but make NO promises...

The other thing that can be done is printing front panels and other
objects in colour and metallic as well. The transfer can be done onto
any surface, metal or plastic as well as paper.


John Myszkowski...
===========================