hacks:pcb
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Table of Contents
Objectives
To design a machine, method, or process to generate one-off printed circuit boards with the following conditions:
- Time from finished PCB layout to physical board must be less than 3 hours excluding setup.
- Traces for TSSOP packages must be possible (0.19-0.3mm traces, 0.65mm pitch).
- Two layers must be supported and properly aligned with minimal frustration.
- Board quality must be consistent and dependable.
- Minimal tool changes or chemicals.
Methods
Traditional
Toner Transfer
Works. Not well.
- Dedicated clothing iron
- Inconsistent transfer
- Difficult to align multiple layers
UV Exposure
Works. Not well.
- UV chemicals
- More expensive
- Darkroom
- Speed
- Different manufacturers/exposure time
Laser Cutter
Spray Paint
Doesn't work. Has potential.
Sharpie
Doesn't work. Has potential.
Toner
Doesn't work. Bad idea.
Sugar
Doesn't work. Air assist. Inconsistent.
Acrylic Trench
Works poorly. Large traces. High trace resistance. No soldering.
Printers
Inkjet
Works. Not well.
- Pigment/dye
- Running/blurry edges
- Alignment
Laser
Works. Not well.
- Inconsistent fill
- Alignment
Wax Inkjet
Jeffrey Gough method. ?
Dye-Sublimation
Has potential.
Thermal Transfer
Has potential. Similar to dye-sub.
Thermal Wax Transfer
Has potential. Similar to dye-sub.
Wax Printer
Xerox Phaser wax printer. Has potential. Expensive. Huge.
Mechanical
CNC Milling
Works. Not well.
Vinyl Plotter
Works. Not well.
Electrical Discharge Machining
Has potential. Difficult for precision. Expensive. Terrifying.
Electro-Chemical Machining
Doesn't work.
hacks/pcb.1394192011.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/12/12 14:31 (external edit)