Homebrew PCBs

Hi, 

 

To address your original question, I ask: Do the rough edges of the
resulting trace have "hills" or "valleys?" 

 

If "hills"-toner extending outside the edge of the desired
trace-printing is probably the problem. Maybe it's the generic toner.

 

If "valleys"-indentations inside the desired trace-I would guess the
paper is the problem, or maybe the iron/laminator heat is too low. It
kind of sounds like this is your problem. If so, I would be really
concerned about pinholes or cracks in the resist because it's not
transferring all the toner to the board. Were it mine, I'd dump the
baking paper or leave it in the kitchen.

 

BTW (someone correct me if I'm wrong), I believe the problem with
Brother printers is not in the printing. It's in transferring the toner
to the board since they use a higher temperature toner than HP does.

 

Jim

 

From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Piers Goodhew
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 3:16 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] baking paper TT

 

  

I saw this mentioned recently and thought I'd give it a go. Here are
some findings and some questions

I'm having no problems getting the paper thru the printer: I just cut a
section the size of my board and tape it onto a printout of the board on
full-size paper (so it's positioned right). I tape only the leading edge
and so far it's been fine. (I should add that, in order to preserve my
materials for as long as possible, I make all may boards as small as
possible and the paper's never been bigger than about a credit card).

Removing the baking paper is a joy - just peel it away, but I am
noticing that the edges are very rough, and if I hold the baking paper
to the light, there are some very tiny traces of toner left behind on
the edges. The complicating factor is that the very same time I started
using baking paper, we went started a new generic toner cartridge, but I
thought I'd see if anyone had any experiences.

* has anyone seen a particular toner produce rough edges? It does appear
pretty good when still on the paper
* Would baking paper require a higher heat? I've been increasing heat
and time but no change yet (as always, we're talking a fairly small
sample here)

What does that brother toner look like when improperly stuck? This toner
sticks to paper perfectly well, so I don't think it's radically
different.

(printer's HP 5MP and I'm still using the iron)

PG





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