Homebrew PCBs

Hi Marvin

>Hello Markus!
>
>Your station is most excellent! Questions:
>
>1.) What/who's chemistry are you using?

I'm using mostly ready made chemistry from Bungard Electronics. This
is the same chemistry as it's also delivered to professional board
houses. In other words, if you can't get it say from Bungard it's
always a good idea to ask at a board house if they sell smaller
quantities to you.

>2.) How many volts/amps do you? Are you 
>    using a formula to calculate
>    voltage/amperage verses board size?

Yes, 3 amp's per square decimeter which is rouoghly 3 amp's per 3.8
square inches. It's not that critical, so it's maybe save to say 3
amp's per 4 inches square.

>3.) What is the composition of your anodes
>    and what is thier weight/size?

The weight is not so important. The "fater" they are the longer they
last. The amount of surface is what counts but even there you can vary
a bit. Acording to my experinece I'd say that if you build the station
"reasonably" the most important thing is the chemistry used. I
strongly recommend you or anyone else interested to buy this from a
proven place (i.e. a board house or a special supplier of board
houses). The anodes must be made of copper with some small amount of
phosphor. I bougth my anodes also from Bungard along with the
chemistry. The chemistry came mostly ready madb but had to mix
together certain fluids or mix it with distilate water or sulfric acid
etc. etc. Along with the chemistry detailed instructions on how to mix
the baths were suplied.

>Before I saw what you had done, I had already begun
>construction of a similar thru-hole plating system.
>Like you, I came to the conclusion that what I needed
>was a station that was built on time tested
>technology. In other words, I wanted to build a
>smaller version of
>what large companies use to thru-hole plate (In fact,
>all of the tools/fixtures/equipment I have made are
>based on proven industry technology).
>
>Currently, I have the tank, card holders and
>circulation system completed. I still have
>build/engineer the rectifier (power supply), purchase
>anodes and descide on a chemistry. My plan is to
>complete this station, work the kinks/problems out and
>then build a tinning station. 

Again, I strongly recomend to consider Bungards chemistry. I have no
clue where you live, but if it's in europe chances are good that you
can order there. Adam Seychel - another member of this list - comes
from australia (well, at least that's what I think) so he may can
provide you with a good supplier there. There are also many US members
of this list so maybe someone can provide information on where to buy
such chemistry in the US.

>Your station is of professional quality. Further,
>I am impressed (Not that it really matters...).

Well, thanks for the flowers. It was quite a bit of work. I had the
luck of knowing someone who bought a little station and who told me
what to avoid and what to add, and - as mentioned - I spent quite a
while with thinking on how to build it so as it can easily be
operated, quickly cleaned and to operate it in a save and easy fasion.

>FWIW, you may want to cross post/link your station
>to:
>
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Electroplating

Intresting link. I was not aware of this group. 

Markus