Homebrew PCBs

Just a blue sky thought... Would this even be technically possible?

Imagine a CNC laser, where the laser was (1) capable of cutting
through the fiberglass, and (2) the right wavelength to expose a
photomask.  Now, in theory, you could paint/adhere the mask to the
board, CNC "expose" it, etch, paint another mask, expose it for solder
mask, then laser drill each hole (having removed the copper during
etch).

Since it's always the same machine, the copper, mask, and drills
should all line up, and the accuracy would depend only on the CNC
accuracy and the size of the laser beam.

> Imagine a CNC laser, where the laser was (1) capable of cutting
> through the fiberglass

That would be a CO2 laser, which is worth thousands of dollars - let 
alone that cost of an x,y cnc positioning system.

docstein99 wrote:
>> Imagine a CNC laser, where the laser was (1) capable of cutting
>> through the fiberglass
>>     
>
> That would be a CO2 laser, which is worth thousands of dollars - let 
> alone that cost of an x,y cnc positioning system.
An x,y plotter with an electrostatic discharge system to mill away the 
unwanted copper of a pcb might be more practical.

Rick

Hey,  Delorie's thoughts from the air seems a dream !
saddly seems to be quite expensive.

To me sounded like a 3-in-1 machine, :)

1. Cutting
2. Exposing
3. Masking

I spent a lot of time to learn about photonics ( at
time when was involved in imaging/drum scanner as
worked in an offset printshop with in-house scanning)

Guess that this URL will help mostly for those new to
lasers.... (the article was write by Sam,  it's not
me..he)

Here one of my appreciated links:

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasercon.htm#contoc

Amateur Laser Construction
Sub-Table of Contents

    * Introduction to Amateur Laser Construction
          o So You Think You Really Want to Build a
Laser
                + Reasons NOT TO Build a Laser from
Scratch
                + Reasons TO Build a Laser from
Scratch



Hope the above helps 

Samuel



	

	
		
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I suspect one could build a CO2 at 20 - 80 watts for the $500 price range. 
http://www.amazing1.com/burning-lasers.htm

A 2 watt green laser might have somewhat interesting characteristics.  
It would be slow enough to perhaps be easier to control.  Green PCB 
fiberglass might not be cut quite as easily by a green laser.

However, I agree, a mill seems to be a much better way to go.  I'd not 
want to be anywhere around a CO2 laser aimed at shiny copper.


Richard Holbert wrote: <http://www.amazing1.com/burning-lasers.htm>

> docstein99 wrote:
>   
>>> Imagine a CNC laser, where the laser was (1) capable of cutting
>>> through the fiberglass
>>>     
>>>       
>> That would be a CO2 laser, which is worth thousands of dollars - let 
>> alone that cost of an x,y cnc positioning system.
>>     
> An x,y plotter with an electrostatic discharge system to mill away the 
> unwanted copper of a pcb might be more practical.
>
> Rick
>
>
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