Homebrew PCBs

Hi,
I've been reading for a while but have never contributed so I hope you 
don't mind me asking a
question.  Here at the university I've all the facilities for pcb 
manufacture but my printer is to be
replaced with a new one.  The printer that I have, although it is 
1200dpi, spreads the ink to the
extremes of tracks and solid copper areas, this as you know can cause 
pitting.  It also stretches
the transparencies I use ( I've tried others with the same results ).  
This is OK for small or
undrilled pcbs but for large i.e. > than 100mm by 160mm that have 
already been drilled this causes
line up problems.  The software I use, Target 3001, enables me to 
compensate for printers that
don't print true 100% but the stretch in my print outs vary each time, I 
guess from the heat in the roller.
So my question is does any one have any recommendations for a printer.
The printer I use at the moment is an Hp laserjet 1200.
Thanks in advance
Susan

On Fri, 05 Nov 2004 16:42:03 +0000, Susan Kivlin <sac@...> wrote:

>
> Hi,
> I've been reading for a while but have never contributed so I hope you
> don't mind me asking a
> question.  Here at the university I've all the facilities for pcb
> manufacture but my printer is to be
> replaced with a new one.  The printer that I have, although it is
> 1200dpi, spreads the ink to the
> extremes of tracks and solid copper areas, this as you know can cause
> pitting.  It also stretches
> the transparencies I use ( I've tried others with the same results ).
> This is OK for small or
> undrilled pcbs but for large i.e. > than 100mm by 160mm that have
> already been drilled this causes
> line up problems.  The software I use, Target 3001, enables me to
> compensate for printers that
> don't print true 100% but the stretch in my print outs vary each time, I
> guess from the heat in the roller.
> So my question is does any one have any recommendations for a printer.
> The printer I use at the moment is an Hp laserjet 1200.
> Thanks in advance
> Susan
>

Some have reported good results with tracing paper instead of  
transparencies.
Others swear inkjet is the way to go, as there is no distortion.
There seems to be a big variety in ohp transparency quality, but if you  
already tried a few..
The fuser temperature is not that much different with other printers, but  
the transport system might be.

I didn't know anyone outside Germany uses Target, how is the 3001 version?  
I think about buying
it because anything better is unafordable, but haven't actually done any  
tests on the new version.
I used to use 2001, and it was a nightmare compared to orcad.

ST

>
>
>>Stefan said:
>>
>>Others swear inkjet is the way to go, as there is no distortion.
>>There seems to be a big variety in ohp transparency quality, but if you  
>>already tried a few..
>>The fuser temperature is not that much different with other printers, but  
>>the transport system might be.
>>
>>I didn't know anyone outside Germany uses Target, how is the 3001 version?  
>>I think about buying
>>it because anything better is unafordable, but haven't actually done any  
>>tests on the new version.
>>I used to use 2001, and it was a nightmare compared to orcad.
>>
>>ST
>>    
>>
Thanks Stefan,  I'll try inkjet today.
As for Target 3001!, I don't know how it compares as I've only used 
orcad as a simulator and I've only used Target for pcb layout although 
it also has a simulator.  As a pcb tool I've found Target to be easy to 
use and have produced many boards that have been made here but also sent 
out for manufacture.  We have produced 2 and 4 layer boards and all have 
been fine.  We use pcb pool for manufacture and Target has an output 
feature specifically for them.
I'll report how I find the ink jet printing.

Susan