Homebrew PCBs

Aaa, friends gathering again :))
My comments are blow in your text:

> I don't think anyone is too concerned about converting a printer 
for PCB work to also work for printing on paper.
== I understand but it would be nice to be able to reuse the bottles 
of expensive ink sitting around with the chip resetter for other 
applications. Not tomention the cartriges could be reused-- but they 
cannot. Even if you don't swap yellow with black in a printer, the 
color quality is 'dirty'. And dry out in a printer. What you like is 
an idea of printing on copper and so do I, but the reality is 
terrible. 

So, as far as MISPRO inks printing ugly colors, no one cares for PCB 
work. It is only used as a resist, once etched, it has no further 
purpose.
== I care as the whole setup is expensive. But the biggest problem 
is drying in the printer.


I don't know for certain if MISPRO inks are required for the 
process.  In my early crude tests with yellow Epson ink, I had some 
promising results. Mind you that was not done with a printer so I 
 have not taken it to that level just yet.
==I cannot give you examples here but by knowing some other 
information, mispro ink works for that purpose and epson ink does 
not. I have been working on this subject for years, plotter, lexmark 
etc. The breakthru is ink that Stefan sugegsted. That is a 
discovery... until someone comes up with a better mouse trap.

> 
> At some point this Winter, I hope to do some more work with an 
R220 printer to work on this concept further.  With that printer I 
will  be focusing on the Epson inks to see what can be done with 
them.  
==If you don't care about the cost of inks then why don't you buy a 
c88+? Unless you really have nothing better but hacking the code. 
 
> Under-etching on thin traces is not the fault of the resist.  
That's a function of the etching process.  You would get that same 
problem with toner transfer, photo-resists, etc.  I suspect spray 
etching system may work better to help reduce that problem.
==True and that is why I said that I can live with it. The issue is 
the ink dies out few days later.

> 
> Another advantage to the inkjet process is the precision which so 
> far appears to be better than can be done with toner transfer.  
> While this is generally not a big problem, if drilling on a CNC 
> machine, it can add to the problems as you would need to scale 
your coordinates to get things to line up good. Not a huge problem, 
just  one more thing in the process.
==Yes, precision is terrific, no doubt. The problem is ink drying in 
a print head few days later.

> 
> While I still favor toner transfer (because I can do it), I think 
> the other processes have merrit too such as ink jet printing as 
well > as isolation milling.  
==Inkjet printing has merit if you can live with ink drying out in 
few days in a print head. Isolation milling? No. That is not  a nice 
method: loud, PCB powder, $$$. Nice method to discuss, though.

Once I get my CNC machine worked out, I will be trying a variety of 
methods including some hybrid methods by combining the various 
technologies.
==I have several CNC machines. Drilling is ok. Milling PCBs is not.


The problem with toner transfer is that it is very hit-or-miss for 
many people, myself included.  One day I can make a perfect double 
sided board.  The next day I can't repeat the process using the 
exact same materials and such.  So, while it works fine for me most 
of the time, it's worth it to look for alternatives if for nothing 
else, something to do and learn about.


==I am surprised that you have problems with TT. I can come to my 
laminator, stick it all in and have a high quality PCB all the time.

It's all in temperature, pressure, cleanlenees, paper, substrate, 
and.. and..and :)

I am for new methods but I want mehod reliable 100%. If you want 
tonprove that printing on copper is the thing, I can save you time: 
it is a coolest method of all. When you see it, one starts having 
thoughts: conductive, fabric, resisotrs.. what not. The orcess is 
truly awesome but it is not as reliable as TT because you have to 
deal with a clogged up printer after few days of use.  Mike

> 
> Chris
>