Homebrew PCBs

I want to create some PCB's using the uv photoresist process. I dont often need to make boards, but would really like to do this rather than TT.

Considering the small amount of boards I would be creating, pre-sensitized boards would likely make the most sense, but I would like another option.

I looked at a roll of the photosensitive laminate (I dont have a laminator), and also the spray(poor results?, short shelf-life?).

What is my best bet?

Thanks,
Chris

The spray's been pretty hit and miss for me.

Someone on this mailing list bought a bunch of the laminate and is selling
it to members. That's probably your cheapest option.  Maybe someone can
provide his email address.

As for the laminator, if you're in Canada or the US, they can be had from
Walmart for as little as $30.

Sent from my iPad

On 2012-02-22, at 4:14 PM, matrice197 <hololight@...> wrote:



I want to create some PCB's using the uv photoresist process. I dont often
need to make boards, but would really like to do this rather than TT.

Considering the small amount of boards I would be creating, pre-sensitized
boards would likely make the most sense, but I would like another option.

I looked at a roll of the photosensitive laminate (I dont have a
laminator), and also the spray(poor results?, short shelf-life?).

What is my best bet?

Thanks,
Chris

 


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

On 23/02/2012 08:53, Benjamin Blumer wrote:
> The spray's been pretty hit and miss for me.


I used the Electrolube aerosol resist a long time ago, and it worked 
quite well. However, they changed the formula (probably something to do 
with health and safety) and I couldn't get the new stuff to work. I 
asked someone about it on their stand at a trade show a few years ago, 
and he admitted that the current version was useless.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "matrice197" <hololight@...> wrote:
>
> I want to create some PCB's using the uv photoresist process. I dont often need to make boards, but would really like to do this rather than TT.
> 
> Considering the small amount of boards I would be creating, pre-sensitized boards would likely make the most sense, but I would like another option.
> 
> I looked at a roll of the photosensitive laminate (I dont have a laminator), and also the spray(poor results?, short shelf-life?).
> 
> What is my best bet?
> 
> Thanks,
> Chris
>


I'm thinking about offering dry film coated circuit board materials if there is any interest. I was in the printed wiring business for many years and still have the proper lamination equipment and supplies. All of this equipment is industrial grade made by DuPont. Most of my boards are very small but using this equipment and materials, I'm able to produce as many as 500 boards in one day with nearly zero defects.

I did try this in the past and sent out quite a few free samples with the understanding that I would receive feedback on how well it worked. Unfortunately, there was little feedback except for more requests wanting free materials. lol   

My question is how should the materials be priced. Any ideas or suggestions on pricing would be well received. This would help me determine if it's worthwhile to proceed. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks in advance. 

Tom

Hi Chris,

My experience:
Pre-coated boards: Good sometimes but expensive and sometimes poorly cut (raised edges have to be filed down before exposure) and occasionally unevenly coated meaning it's hard to get consistent results. My experience is they have a shelf-life (older = longer exposure time) which again causes inconsistencies if you don't make many boards at one go.

Spray on/sponge on "Seno" type products: No joy at all; impossible to get even coatings. 

Riston type laminated film: Very, very good indeed once you've mastered the art of laminating. Definitely worth shelling out the £10 or so for a cheapo laminator. Very cheap chemistry. No shelf life that I've seen. Very consistent results. Can also be used as a poor man's solder mask. Buy flat sheets (eBay China) not the cheap roll ends which curl up every other whichway when you're trying to apply it. 

TT: No way near as easy / repeatable as film. Good for applying legend with Pulsar TRF though.

Bob

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "matrice197" <hololight@...> wrote:

>
> I want to create some PCB's using the uv photoresist process. I dont often need to make boards, but would really like to do this rather than TT.
> 
> Considering the small amount of boards I would be creating, pre-sensitized boards would likely make the most sense, but I would like another option.
> 
> I looked at a roll of the photosensitive laminate (I dont have a laminator), and also the spray(poor results?, short shelf-life?).
> 
> What is my best bet?
> 
> Thanks,
> Chris
>

I have not tried it, but this youtube video looks pretty good to me.
I was especially interested in using a cfl for the light source.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWnfnt2rNO0&feature=fvsr

I am still learning the toner transfer method...

-- 
John Ferrell W8CCW
Be thankful we're not getting all the
government we're paying for. - Will Rogers