Homebrew PCBs

Thanks David, you have jogged my memory.  Ibico is the up-market label used 
by GBC in Australia. It uses GBC in the consumer, retail market.
Bill
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David McNab" <david@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 5:31 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Forget the clothes iron - get a laminator


> Hi all,
>
> As a total n00b to homebrew PCBs, I've been struggling for the last
> couple of weeks to get artwork onto the copper intact.
>
> I must have made 20 or more attempts with the clothes iron, each time
> getting most of the toner onto the board, but missing entire areas, with
> intricate traces too fine for touching up by hand with the etch resist 
> pen.
>
> Also made a few failed attempts with the special iron-on transfer film;
> IMHO, that stuff is not worth the money.
>
> But Lady Luck was kind to me today. I found a used working Ibico PL-260
> laminator in a Cash Converters store for $35 (approx US$25)!
> Four spring loaded rollers, 6 motor speeds, digital temp control, perfect.
>
> So the approach that's working for me, /finally/, is:
>
> 1. laser-print onto HP Gloss Inkjet photo card
>
> 2. scrub board with green plastic kitchen scouring sponge
>
> 3. clean copper surface thoroughly with acetone (I used my
>   wife's nail polish remover)
>
> 4. 4 or so passes through laminator, with slowest motor speed, and
>   temperature set to 160degC on more - feeding in corner first
>
> 5. peeling the card off very slowly while board still hot, in a very
>   slow bending motion
>
>   (I could hold the edge of the card along a glass tumbler, or other
>   cylindrical object with 8cm or more diameter, and gently 'roll off'
>   the card around the tumbler, so as not to tear off huge chunks of
>   toner).
>
> 6. touch up artwork with etch resist pen (very few imperfections, so
>   this was quick and easy).
>
> 7. etch in warmed ferric chloride
>
> 8. gently remove toner with acetone, but only when ready to drill and
>   populate the board.
>
> So to newcomers, I would strongly advise against the clothes iron
> approach - unless you're lucky, and have a special 'feel', this will
> likely drag you into a time-wasting world of pain.
>
> Get a laminator - a decent one with spring-loaded rollers, speed and
> temperature control. Either just find the money, or put the time/energy
> into finding a cheap used one. You'll be glad you did, when you end up
> with crisp, clear artwork on the copper.
>
> For the experts here - if you can suggest any refinements, I'm all ears.
>
> -- 
> Cheers
> David
>
>
>
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> Photos:
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>
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