Homebrew PCBs

You are not supposed to cut copper on a CO2 laser anyways.  The
mirrors in a CO2 are copper.  Its very reflective in that 10,6000nm
wavelength.  Now a YAG is a different story.



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Kim Vellore" <kimvellore@...>
wrote:
>
> you cant cut through metal with these CO2 lasers. and if one has
high enough 
> power to cut metal it will burn and char the pcb material. I have
tried to 
> paint the board and laser the paint like a mask for etching, but
lasering 
> the paint with the laser is actually burning the paint and it leaves
some 
> residue on the copper so the end result was bad. Spotty etching and
finer 
> etch lines are not possible. May be some sort of cleaning after
lasering 
> might help but the other processes becomes more desirable at that
stage..
> 
> Kim
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Henry Liu" <henryjliu@...>
> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 3:29 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] laser engraver for pcbs?
> 
> 
> > Anyone try a laser engraver to make pcbs?  You can buy a 40W CO2 off
> > ebay for $1600 shipped.  Not sure of the adsorption of copper at CO2
> > wavelengths but seems like you could probably coat it if need be.
> >
> > Apparently the ebay ones just act like a print driver and whatever you
> > print out, it does burns so can easily print Gerber files onto
> > copperclad.
> >
> > Seems like it would be faster than the cnc mill method I'm using
now...
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and 
> > Photos:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>