Dan Messenger said:
Hi Harry, Thanks for the reply.
The circuits I make are typical hobbiest circuits. All will probably
be one/two-off and definately single sided.
However, I do use DIP packaged chips (PICs / 555s / Driver chips etc)
Is the accuracy required for these possible on the lower budget? ;-)
Also, have you got any weblinks for the equipment/chemicals you have
described? (particularly the bubble etcher, I understand these are
expensive to buy?)
Thanks in advance
-Messenga
09/05/2005 00:32:30
[email protected] wrote in message
Take a look at the Pulsar web site at
http://www.pulsar.gs. They sell just
about everything you need for making single and double-sided PCBs on a
budget. Their technology uses a toner transfer method that works very well
if you use their equipment. If you have a laser printer (who doesn't
nowadays), you can print the artwork on special transfer paper, then affix
the paper with the printed circuit pattern to a blank board, and run it
through the refuser, which melts the toner on the paper onto the PCB
surface. You then soak the board and paper in water to dissolve the bond
between teh toner and paper, leaving the toner fused to the PCB, ready for
etching. See the refuser at
http://www.pulsar.gs/1_PCB/a_Pages/4_Products/5e_Toner_Applicator/Toner_Applicator.html
They can supply some software that will get you going to design the artwork
also. They stock a variety of eyelets and tooling that will allow you to
build double-sided boards without the expense of doing it chemically.
Beware... the eyelets can become expensive if your boards have a lot of
through-holes and vias that need to be interconnected. The paper is a bit
expensive too, but very good results can be achieved by using premium
photo-quality paper instead of the paper that Pulsar sells. The photo paper
has a high content of clay, which makes it suitable for this purpose. Be
sure to get paper that can be used with laser printers and copiers... The
inkjet-only variety may give you trouble.
--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just subsitute the appropriate characters in
the address)
Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time!!