Homebrew_PCBs

I've just been looking at that Avecia Jetrack ink jet resist, and am waiting
for Xaar to get back to me about a suitable piezo printhead. I'm not sure if
an Epson print head would work, as they are designed for aqueous ink,
although it might be worth trying.

To get accurate positioning of the printhead, I would think that some sort
of X-Y table would be required, or something much simpler and cheaper can be
built using polar co-ordinates, involving a rotating table.

I'll keep the group informed.

Leon
--
Leon Heller, G1HSM
leon_heller@...
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller

I've just been looking at the Avecia Jetrack ink jet resist, and am waiting
for Xaar to get back to me about a suitable piezo printhead. I'm not sure if
an Epson print head would work, as they are designed for aqueous ink,
although it might be worth trying.

I've spoken to Avecia, and they will be sending me some sample ink. A
company in Italy is apparently already using this technology for making
PCBs - the machine costs about $150,000.

The ink needs to be cured as soon as possible after application, as it tends
to spread with time.

To get accurate positioning of the printhead, I would think that some sort
of X-Y table would be required, or something much simpler, faster and
cheaper can be
designed using polar co-ordinates.

Both Xaar and Avecia are in the UK, which helps as far as I'm concerned.

I'll keep the group informed.

Leon
--
Leon Heller, G1HSM
leon_heller@...
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller

I've just been looking at the Avecia Jetrack ink jet resist, and am waiting
for Xaar to get back to me about a suitable piezo printhead. I'm not sure if
an Epson print head would work, as they are designed for aqueous ink,
although it might be worth trying.

I've spoken to Avecia, and they will be sending me some sample ink. A
company in Italy is apparently already using this technology for making
PCBs - the machine costs about $150,000.

The ink needs to be cured as soon as possible after application, as it tends
to spread with time.

To get accurate positioning of the printhead, I would think that some sort
of X-Y table would be required, or something much simpler, faster and
cheaper can be
designed using polar co-ordinates.

Both Xaar and Avecia are in the UK, which helps as far as I'm concerned.

I'll keep the group informed.

Leon
--
Leon Heller, G1HSM
leon_heller@...
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller

maybe try to make the inkjet just like the hp7475a plotter?
i'm sure the motor has plenty of power (think of friction with paper).

the hp type printers can be easily converted by putting a big pcb on top of
the big transport roller.
maybe make a guiderail in the middle to keep it parallel to ground and
running straight.
maybe make some counterpressure rollers on top on the sides (small
bearings, rubber rollers).
but be aware that in most cases the print head runs over that area so use
flat rollers.

then there is somewhere a optical sensor for paper empty/loaded.
this can be easily used by putting it on the side in the way of the pcb.

when the printer starts plotting it powers the motor until the paper
reaches this sensor.
simply move it on the roller with your hand then and let it be moved to the
sensor.
there it stops and the printing begins.


i would not go for circular disign.
the conversion (the software) would be much more effort for me than getting
a printer modified.


you can get inkjet a3 aize if you really need... but a4 would be perfect
for pcb.


i have modified a 550c like described above.
it moved the big pcb desk fine, but i killed the electronics accidently.

later i found out floor polish is no good in thermal bubblejet (hp type).


it would be very nice to hear from any success with that method.

this resist is uv cured?
how long would it take to cure in a eprom eraser 8w tube source?


most interested i am in print heads, which models use piezo, which models
use head an cartridge and which fixed head in printer.

i'm not interested in buying any expensive industrial type head.

which resolution do you think is needed?


regards
stefan

>From: Stefan Trethan <stefan_trethan@...>
>Reply-To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>To: homebrew_pcbs@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Jetrack ink jet resist
>Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 14:14:53 +0200
>
>maybe try to make the inkjet just like the hp7475a plotter?
>i'm sure the motor has plenty of power (think of friction with paper).
>
>the hp type printers can be easily converted by putting a big pcb on top of
>the big transport roller.
>maybe make a guiderail in the middle to keep it parallel to ground and
>running straight.
>maybe make some counterpressure rollers on top on the sides (small
>bearings, rubber rollers).
>but be aware that in most cases the print head runs over that area so use
>flat rollers.
>
>then there is somewhere a optical sensor for paper empty/loaded.
>this can be easily used by putting it on the side in the way of the pcb.
>
>when the printer starts plotting it powers the motor until the paper
>reaches this sensor.
>simply move it on the roller with your hand then and let it be moved to the
>sensor.
>there it stops and the printing begins.

A plotter wouldn't really be accurate enough for me, but OK for initial
experiments.

>
>i would not go for circular disign.
>the conversion (the software) would be much more effort for me than getting
>a printer modified.

The software won't be hard. Elektor had a PCB drilling machine design a few
years ago that used the same technique.

>
>
>you can get inkjet a3 aize if you really need... but a4 would be perfect
>for pcb.
>
>
>i have modified a 550c like described above.
>it moved the big pcb desk fine, but i killed the electronics accidently.
>
>later i found out floor polish is no good in thermal bubblejet (hp type).
>
>
>it would be very nice to hear from any success with that method.
>
>this resist is uv cured?
>how long would it take to cure in a eprom eraser 8w tube source?

Not sure. That's why I want some sample ink.

>
>most interested i am in print heads, which models use piezo, which models
>use head an cartridge and which fixed head in printer.
>
>i'm not interested in buying any expensive industrial type head.
>
>which resolution do you think is needed?

The standard head for that type of ink is the Xaar XJ500 - 360 dpi - I was
told. It looks quite expensive.

I intend to do some experimenting with an Epson printhead.

Sorry about the multiple posts, Outlook seems to do it sometimes if I edit
on-line.

Leon
--
Leon Heller, G1HSM Tel: +44 1424 423947
Email:leon_heller@...
My web page: http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller

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you misunderstood the "make it like a plotter"

i thought of converting a working inkjet to move a solid pcb.
for first experiments this would be best because you don't need to make any
software
and have working harware to work with.
simply get a big pcb moving as a desk driven by the main transport rollers.
you may have to cut the frame of the printer, maybe also move the
controller board.

i would much more like this than making my own printer from scrap, because
if the ink flows right
and the head/media distance is right nothing can go wrong.
if you make your own pinter you have to get a lot of parameters working
with standard ink
before you can start printing with resist.

regards
stefan

>

Xaar rang me back about their printheads. The XJ500 costs about 1500 UK
pounds! I'd have to sign an NDA and buy a development kit to do any
experiments with it. They do have a cheaper model, the XJ126, which he
thought might be suitable.

I'll also have to sign an NDA to get hold of samples of the Jetrack resist.
It's quite nasty stuff in liquid form, according to the Safety Data Sheet
Avecia sent me. If you get some on your skin you should:

"Remove contaminated clothing.
Wash skin with water.
Obtain medical attention.
Contaminated clothing should be laundered before re-issue."

Leon
--
Leon Heller, G1HSM
leon_heller@...
http://www.geocities.com/leon_heller