Homebrew PCBs

Saw a water based photoresist called AQ-3000 Has anybody used it?
Did a search, there were only two posts about it and they weren't
very informative. They also have solder mask and legend ink
products. Tried to google it and didn't see a lot there either.
Product is being sold on ebay for $68 for a 1 kilo bottle. A bit 
steep for me to experiment with at the moment, especially while 
trying to rediscover how to turn out a decent PCB at home.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "pr0pert" <propert@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:56 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anybody use AQ-3000


> Saw a water based photoresist called AQ-3000 Has anybody used it?
> Did a search, there were only two posts about it and they weren't
> very informative. They also have solder mask and legend ink
> products. Tried to google it and didn't see a lot there either.
> Product is being sold on ebay for $68 for a 1 kilo bottle. A bit
> steep for me to experiment with at the moment, especially while
> trying to rediscover how to turn out a decent PCB at home.

I think that stuff was discussed here about a year ago. I don't think that 
anyone had tried it, though. I can't see any product safety data, which is a 
bit worrying.

Leon

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "leon Heller" <leon355@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 4:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anybody use AQ-3000


> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "pr0pert" <propert@...>
> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:56 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anybody use AQ-3000
>
>
>> Saw a water based photoresist called AQ-3000 Has anybody used it?
>> Did a search, there were only two posts about it and they weren't
>> very informative. They also have solder mask and legend ink
>> products. Tried to google it and didn't see a lot there either.
>> Product is being sold on ebay for $68 for a 1 kilo bottle. A bit
>> steep for me to experiment with at the moment, especially while
>> trying to rediscover how to turn out a decent PCB at home.
>
> I think that stuff was discussed here about a year ago. I don't think that
> anyone had tried it, though. I can't see any product safety data, which is 
> a
> bit worrying.

I just found it:

http://genesismt.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/MSDS_AQ_3000_DC.17663530.pdf

Leon

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "leon Heller" <leon355@...> wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "pr0pert" <propert@...>
> To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 3:56 PM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Anybody use AQ-3000
> 
> 
> > Saw a water based photoresist called AQ-3000 Has anybody used it?
> > Did a search, there were only two posts about it and they weren't
> > very informative. They also have solder mask and legend ink
> > products. Tried to google it and didn't see a lot there either.
> > Product is being sold on ebay for $68 for a 1 kilo bottle. A bit
> > steep for me to experiment with at the moment, especially while
> > trying to rediscover how to turn out a decent PCB at home.
> 
> I think that stuff was discussed here about a year ago. I don't think that 
> anyone had tried it, though. I can't see any product safety data, which is a 
> bit worrying.
> 
> Leon
>
There are MSDS for all their products on their website at http://genesismt.com/ under " TDS AMD MSDS "

Roger

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

leon Heller wrote:
> I think that stuff was discussed here about a year ago. I don't think that 
> anyone had tried it, though. I can't see any product safety data, which is a 
> bit worrying.
> 
> Leon 

Check: http://www.genesismt.com/

- --
 Best regards,
 Zoran A. Scepanovic
 zastos@...
 www.zastos.com
 www.zastos.biz
 +381 63 609-993

=====

 Adding manpower to a late software makes it later.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I've been reading up on that type of water-based polymer, and it ought to 
work. It should be probably available much cheaper from the actual 
manufacturer (I haven't found who makes it), but one probably has to buy it 
by the drum. For the small number of boards I make it isn't really cost 
effective, so I'll stick to the pre-coated material.

Leon

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "leon Heller" <leon355@...> wrote:
>
> I've been reading up on that type of water-based polymer, and it ought to 
> work. It should be probably available much cheaper from the actual 
> manufacturer (I haven't found who makes it), but one probably has to buy it 
> by the drum. For the small number of boards I make it isn't really cost 
> effective, so I'll stick to the pre-coated material.
> 
> Leon
>
I gave you the manufacturers website. They do sell directly at the
$68 a kilo price. Same as on ebay with $14 shipping. They are
located in Ohio, USA. Prices would be in US dollars, so it's
getting cheaper by the minute.

Roger

It's probably something like the material discussed here which is used for 
coating wood and other materials:

<http://www.cytec.com/uv/Downloads/Water-based%20Radiation%20Curable%20Polyurethane%20Dispersions.pdf>

This is the stuff his company makes:

http://www.cytec.com/uv/Downloads/UCECOAT%20-%20Wood%20Coatings_EMEA_En.pdf

Leon

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "pr0pert" <propert@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 5:05 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Anybody use AQ-3000


> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "leon Heller" <leon355@...> wrote:
>>
>> I've been reading up on that type of water-based polymer, and it ought to
>> work. It should be probably available much cheaper from the actual
>> manufacturer (I haven't found who makes it), but one probably has to buy 
>> it
>> by the drum. For the small number of boards I make it isn't really cost
>> effective, so I'll stick to the pre-coated material.
>>
>> Leon
>>
> I gave you the manufacturers website. They do sell directly at the
> $68 a kilo price. Same as on ebay with $14 shipping. They are
> located in Ohio, USA. Prices would be in US dollars, so it's
> getting cheaper by the minute.

I doubt if they actually manufacture it, they aren't a chemical 
manufacturer. They probably buy it in bulk and repackage it.

Leon

What kind of information do you specifically need?

I bought AQ-3000 photoresist, soldermask, and ink legend from the original manufacturer (before Genesis distribution or commercial arrangement).

They are professional products for industrial PCB making. Nothing to do with that silly products for coating woods and other materials, or the hobby Positiv stuff. I also have all of the datasheets and MSDS for the three products. Very clear their instructions, but must be followed whithout change a bit of them. And for soldermaks and ink legend, you must have an air-forced oven, or the PCB surface does not conform to the quality stated.

It is a great advantage to have those products sold for that low price ($68 kilo), when other manufacturers/distributors only sell for minimum $1,000/month.

And yes, you are right, this is the only way (using inustrial PCB-making products) to make decent PCBs at home.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "jcarlosmor" <jcarlosmor@...> wrote:
>
> What kind of information do you specifically need?
> 
> I bought AQ-3000 photoresist, soldermask, and ink legend from the original manufacturer (before Genesis distribution or commercial arrangement).
> 
> They are professional products for industrial PCB making. Nothing to do with that silly products for coating woods and other materials, or the hobby Positiv stuff. I also have all of the datasheets and MSDS for the three products. Very clear their instructions, but must be followed whithout change a bit of them. And for soldermaks and ink legend, you must have an air-forced oven, or the PCB surface does not conform to the quality stated.
> 
> It is a great advantage to have those products sold for that low price ($68 kilo), when other manufacturers/distributors only sell for minimum $1,000/month.
> 
> And yes, you are right, this is the only way (using inustrial PCB-making products) to make decent PCBs at home.
>
Whatever information I can get. Is it easy to use? What method of
application do you use? Shelf life? Things to look out for? Is it as
good as it sounds? I have an old Blue M oven from when I had a
business, so it looks like I have a start on it. I was at first
thinking of going with spin coating then decided that it would be
easier to make a dip system

< Is it easy to use? >

Yes, very easy, but follow all the instructions and procedures exactly as stated in the datasheet.

< What method of application do you use? >

You must use dip coating.

< Shelf life? >

It is stated as six months, but however it last longer in cool places.

< Things to look out for? >

Be prepared to work as in industry PCB making. No hobby procedures allowed. Always do Stouffer test, measure and mix exactly the right quantities of Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Hydroxide. Work with safety UV light, etc. Use the correct temperatures, etc.

< Is it as good as it sounds? >

Yes, I prefer dry films but this product is very good.

< I have an old Blue M oven from when I had a business, so it looks like I have a start on it. I was at first thinking of going with spin coating then decided that it would be easier to make a dip system >

The viscosity is designed for dip coating inmersion. I think that you cannot coat properly with spin coating. You should make a dip system, with a container very slim, or you may need galons of liquid. Also, the dip system must be tuned to get the right micron coating in your PCB. The speed of getting out the PCB must be controlled and be made variable in time. If you design and make your dip coating setup, email me to explain details of how to do that.

Regards.