Homebrew PCBs

Hello Everyone,

I lurk and learn, but today, I just had to ask a question.  I 
subscribe to http://www.instructables.com/ .  Today I came across 
someone who hacked a 200mW laser diode, two scanners and a few other 
parts to make a homemade laser cutter.

My question is: If you could focus the beam could you melt toner onto 
a board.  Say you sprayed powered toner onto a board that was 
electricly staticly charged to some degree of thickness.  Then you 
could melt the toner in the form of the circuit and wipe the rest off.

Think it would work?

Brian G.

On Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:12:47 -0600, you wrote:

>Hello Everyone,
>
>I lurk and learn, but today, I just had to ask a question.  I 
>subscribe to http://www.instructables.com/ .  Today I came across 
>someone who hacked a 200mW laser diode, two scanners and a few other 
>parts to make a homemade laser cutter.
>
>My question is: If you could focus the beam could you melt toner onto 
>a board.  Say you sprayed powered toner onto a board that was 
>electricly staticly charged to some degree of thickness.  Then you 
>could melt the toner in the form of the circuit and wipe the rest off.

Possibly, but:

1) static charge on a solid metal object accumulates at the edges.
Getting a decent coat would be difficult.

2) the laser diode would have to heat not only the toner, but the
board to a high enough temperature that the toner would fuse to it as
well as melt.  Perhaps preheating the board would work.

3) if you're going to try that, then perhaps the green foil that
pulsar sells (9 inches wide by 15 feet) that's designed to seal the
top of existing toner might be a better idea.  If it seals enough,
it's already in a thin layer on the plastic carrier.

Harvey

>
>Think it would work?
>
>Brian G.