Homebrew PCBs

On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:30:54 +0100, Chris Horne <chris@...> wrote:

> To raise the temperature, I found a virtually identical switch at
> Rapid Electronics that should switch at 160 degrees C  (but that is as
> high as that particular range goes)I am quite happy to order one and
> see what happens...  but
> Has anyone actually measured the temperature that the laminator needs
> to run at to melt common toners ?
> Do we think 160 C  (320 F)  is hot enough ?
> Chris


160C is on the low end of the ideal temperature range, i would say. My  
fuser unit has a sticker "160C" but i think i actually have it adjusted to  
180C. But it should melt the toner fine at 160C.
What i fear more is that you may overheat components that are not meant to  
take the temperature.

I do not usually comment much on the laminator discussions, but since i am  
posting already: If you are not completely inept at mechanical things it  
would seem far easier to modify a fuser unit. The electronics are trivial,  
and you can save much mechanical hassle by using a ready-made geared  
motor, e.g. a grill motor. Seems a bit ridiculous all that effort for a  
flimsy plastic fuser, to get the thickness through and get the heat up,  
when you still end up with a less-than-ideal solution that needs more than  
one pass to get the job done. But hey, suit yourself.

ST