Homebrew PCBs

Are there no commercially available printers that can print directly onto
the copper clad board to make pcbs without major modifications?

I've read the homebrew making of the inkjet but seems more hassle than
rewards.

I have a Haas CNC mill but it takes for ever and think it's back to etching
for me.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Henry


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

maybe those flatbed T-Shirt printers would be good, they use solvent
base inks. Downside: these printers don't come cheap.
http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN-suppliers/Flatbed_Printer.html


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Henry Liu" <henryjliu@...> wrote:
>
> Are there no commercially available printers that can print directly
onto
> the copper clad board to make pcbs without major modifications?
> 
> I've read the homebrew making of the inkjet but seems more hassle than
> rewards.
> 
> I have a Haas CNC mill but it takes for ever and think it's back to
etching

> for me.
> 
> Thanks for any suggestions.
> 
> Henry
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Instructables has a good project printing a flexible pcb with a sold ink
(wax - type) printer.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Flexible-Printed-Circuits/

Of course, you need the $1000 printer to do it.

Myc

On Sat, Aug 16, 2008 at 6:18 PM, mhel <rt2d_user@...> wrote:

>   maybe those flatbed T-Shirt printers would be good, they use solvent
> base inks. Downside: these printers don't come cheap.
> http://www.alibaba.com/countrysearch/CN-suppliers/Flatbed_Printer.html
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "Henry Liu" <henryjliu@...> wrote:
> >
> > Are there no commercially available printers that can print directly
> onto
> > the copper clad board to make pcbs without major modifications?
> >
> > I've read the homebrew making of the inkjet but seems more hassle than
> > rewards.
> >
> > I have a Haas CNC mill but it takes for ever and think it's back to
> etching
> > for me.
> >
> > Thanks for any suggestions.
> >
> > Henry
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
> 
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi all,
I've picked up 2 of the Paser solid ink printers off Craigslist for 
under $100 each. Both work well. I'm experimenting
with preheating the copper 8mil single sided stock to improve ink adhesion.
-Lee

Meant: Phaser solid ink printer...

Nake sure they are actually the Phaser solid ink printers.

The "Phaser" name is aso used for regular laser printers -- totally
dofferent animals.

Myc

On Mon, Aug 18, 2008 at 2:03 PM, Lee Studley <indigo_red@...> wrote:

>   Meant: Phaser solid ink printer...
> 
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yep exactly, 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_ink

I have the 860 and 8400 models.

> Nake sure they are actually the Phaser solid ink printers.
> 
> The "Phaser" name is aso used for regular laser printers -- totally
> dofferent animals.
> 
>

Can you print on regular thicker pcbs or only the flex kind on the 860?

I saw one for sale locally here.  I think the flex kind would be harder to
drill/solder to.

I have the mill working now with pcb g-code and it's not bad but pretty
slow.  Drilling registration is a non issue on the mill which is nice.


On 8/18/08, Lee Studley <indigo_red@...> wrote:
>
>   Yep exactly,
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_ink
>
> I have the 860 and 8400 models.
>
> > Nake sure they are actually the Phaser solid ink printers.
> >
> > The "Phaser" name is aso used for regular laser printers -- totally
> > dofferent animals.
> >
> >
>
> 
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

8mils is about the max thickness the printers will take and it has to be 
flexible. I put a strip of kapton across the leading edge so that the
sharp edge doesn't bind in the path.

You may be able to hack the paper path to make it straighter,
but I think it would end up being a paper drive/handling problem as the 
image is still transfered from a drum and the path currently does not
appear linear. I use spray adhesive to laminate the pcb layers using 
pins and alignment holes as they approach each other.

I'm looking for a lamination heat activate adhesive as an alternative.


I think Volkan's ( great!! ) methods are best for stock that is 
in-flexible and I'm pursues that avenue also.

-Lee Studley

From Epson presales:

Epson R2880 @ $700
Epson R2400 @ $730 

print on thick (1.3mm) flat media.  I haven't tried either of these printers.  Does anyone 
know of older Epson models that print on thick media or HP printers?




--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Henry Liu" <henryjliu@...> wrote:

>
> Are there no commercially available printers that can print directly onto
> the copper clad board to make pcbs without major modifications?
> 
> I've read the homebrew making of the inkjet but seems more hassle than
> rewards.
> 
> I have a Haas CNC mill but it takes for ever and think it's back to etching
> for me.
> 
> Thanks for any suggestions.
> 
> Henry
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>