Homebrew PCBs

Just in the process of converting an old scanner into an exposure box and wondered about using small UV tubes or maybe UV Led's ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers Steve

Tubes are simpler and an easier way to acchive the necessary uv troughput. Leds are more efficient but you need LOTS of them and a psu


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "steve.oconner@..." <steveparkins@...> wrote:

>
> Just in the process of converting an old scanner into an exposure box and wondered about using small UV tubes or maybe UV Led's ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
> 
> Cheers Steve
>

It's difficult to find tubes  and the cost is higher than leds.

Does this tube work? 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lamp-Tube-Light-Replacement-Bulb-for-36W-Aquarium-UV-Sterilizer-/260984429406?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc3e25b5e


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, psykhon@... wrote:

>
> Tubes are simpler and an easier way to acchive the necessary uv troughput. Leds are more efficient but you need LOTS of them and a psu
> 
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "steve.oconner@" <steveparkins@> wrote:
> >
> > Just in the process of converting an old scanner into an exposure box and wondered about using small UV tubes or maybe UV Led's ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
> > 
> > Cheers Steve
> >
>

On 02/05/2012 19:34, parme wrote:
> It's difficult to find tubes and the cost is higher than leds.

Companies like RS and Farnell sell them. They aren't expensive.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

I would consider a metal halide light from Craigslist as well.  In the
Philadelphia area 400w lights go for $30.  The benefit of them is they are a
point source providing much more collimated light due to the 18 inches vs 4
inches above the board.

 

Jeff

 

  _____  

From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of psykhon@...
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 1:29 PM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: UV light Source

 

  

Tubes are simpler and an easier way to acchive the necessary uv troughput.
Leds are more efficient but you need LOTS of them and a psu

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com> , "steve.oconner@..."
<steveparkins@...> wrote:
>
> Just in the process of converting an old scanner into an exposure box and
wondered about using small UV tubes or maybe UV Led's ? Any suggestions
would be appreciated.
> 
> Cheers Steve
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Can you show a link, what i'm seeing are very expensive UV

--- On Wed, 5/2/12, Leon Heller <leon355@...> wrote:



Companies like RS and Farnell sell them. They aren't expensive.



Leon

-- 

Leon Heller

G1HSM



    
     

    
    






  










[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 03/05/2012 02:25, Monty wrote:
> Can you show a link, what i'm seeing are very expensive UV
>
> --- On Wed, 5/2/12, Leon Heller <leon355@...
> <mailto:leon355%40btinternet.com>> wrote:
>
> Companies like RS and Farnell sell them. They aren't expensive.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/?sra=oss&searchTerm=UV+tube&x=0&y=0

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

On 03/05/2012 10:48, Leon Heller wrote:
> On 03/05/2012 02:25, Monty wrote:
>  > Can you show a link, what i'm seeing are very expensive UV
>  >
>  > --- On Wed, 5/2/12, Leon Heller <leon355@...
> <mailto:leon355%40btinternet.com>
>  > <mailto:leon355%40btinternet.com>> wrote:
>  >
>  > Companies like RS and Farnell sell them. They aren't expensive.
>
> http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/?sra=oss&searchTerm=UV+tube&x=0&y=0
> <http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/?sra=oss&searchTerm=UV+tube&x=0&y=0>

The very cheap ones used in insect killers seem to be 360 nm wavelength, 
whereas 390 nm is what the PCB suppliers usually recommend, but they 
should work.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

I have said it several times.. find a used face tanner,, guess its the name Philips have sold them long time.. they have 4 tubes and it covers an A4 sheet.. I use them without making any changes.. and they need to light for about 3 min for a photoresist board..and have the distance to board at 13 cm
alex

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "steve.oconner@..." <steveparkins@...> wrote:

>
> Just in the process of converting an old scanner into an exposure box and wondered about using small UV tubes or maybe UV Led's ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
> 
> Cheers Steve
>

This is what you want and you can't do much better in price. Shop around on ebay for free shipping.  Also you can get the entire unit with ballast for less than $30 with 4 bulbs.   Buy two and you could build something that did both sides at once.

With the plain tubes you still need ballasts but I found one can hack Walmart CFL bulbs to get a source of low cost electronic ballasts that will run these bulbs.  Note: there is a slight circuit difference between the coiled tubes and the U-tubes. The U-tubes have a capacitor inside the plastic base that connects between the two filiments.  In the coiled units the cap is usually on the circuit board so make the necessary adjustment. 

The germicidal or clear lamps are not what you want, the spectrum is too short of wave length for most resist systems --not to say it will not work but the longer wave of 395  to 400 nm is better. These bulbs have a phosphorecent coatings that converts the shorter wave energy to more of what you need.

Although I have not attempted this my self, I suspect a neon sign transformer would run almost any number of these lamps all hooked in series.  How about a car ignition coil and 555 timer driver? Sounds like a good project for someone.

Craig

  



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "steve.oconner@..." <steveparkins@...> wrote:

>
> Just in the process of converting an old scanner into an exposure box and wondered about using small UV tubes or maybe UV Led's ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
> 
> Cheers Steve
>

Hm, not sure about my first reply, maybe it didn't go through. I'll reply again, just in case.

Ok, search for Sylvania Blacklight tube, 8W T5 BL350. These tubes are specially designed for photo chemical processes among other things. They are cheap as well. I do have them in my UV box and they work excellent. Look here:

http://www.energybulbs.co.uk/products/Ultraviolet+Lighting/Fly+Killer+BL350+UV+Lamps/8W+300mm+Long+T5+Blacklight+BL350+Fly+Killer+Tube/2639751701

oh, and don't mix them with those purple blacklight disco tubes. These tubes are white!

Hope this helps. :)

On 03/05/2012 19:31, Mario Mikulandra wrote:
>
>
> Hm, not sure about my first reply, maybe it didn't go through. I'll
> reply again, just in case.
>
> Ok, search for Sylvania Blacklight tube, 8W T5 BL350. These tubes are
> specially designed for photo chemical processes among other things. They
> are cheap as well. I do have them in my UV box and they work excellent.


I think that they are the ones that I've been using for several years.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

Does the Nail polish lights work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6X-9W-UV-Replacement-Light-Bulb-Tube-for-36w-UV-Nail-Curing-Lamp-365nm-Dryer?item=261015978196&cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26itu%3DI%252BUA%26otn%3D12%26pmod%3D130690210935%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8160613393520633836

They are very cheap but they are 365nm though.

Regards

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@...> wrote:

>
> On 03/05/2012 19:31, Mario Mikulandra wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hm, not sure about my first reply, maybe it didn't go through. I'll
> > reply again, just in case.
> >
> > Ok, search for Sylvania Blacklight tube, 8W T5 BL350. These tubes are
> > specially designed for photo chemical processes among other things. They
> > are cheap as well. I do have them in my UV box and they work excellent.
> 
> 
> I think that they are the ones that I've been using for several years.
> 
> Leon
> -- 
> Leon Heller
> G1HSM
>

Hi leon,

oops, you've already replied regarding this matter. Yep, those are the right tubes mate. Btw, I would ditch the LED UV light box option. Too much hassle. Yeah, looks fancy. All is needed are 4 tubes, 2 ballasts, 4 starters and 8 T5 sockets/fixtures. Well, this is my opinion. ;)

Hi leon,

oops, you've already replied regarding this matter mate. Yep, those are the right tubes. Phillips, Sylvania, same thing. Btw, I would ditch the LED UV light box project. Too much hassle if you ask me. Well, maybe it looks fancy. Anyways, all is needed are 4 tubes, 2 ballasts, 4 starters and 8 T5 sockets/fixtures and of course a scanner enclosure. ;)

Yep, nail polish tubes will do the job. Not actually designed for photo chemical process but they are fine.

Btw, what the heck is wrong with the messaging system? There is an annoying lag!? :-|

Yahoo and SourceForge are having issues .... probably some kid in China having fun.

Mike KC7NOA

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

From: Mario Mikulandra
Sent: 3 May 2012 19:02:45 GMT
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: UV light Source



Yep, nail polish tubes will do the job. Not actually designed for photo chemical process but they are fine.

Btw, what the heck is wrong with the messaging system? There is an annoying lag!? :-|





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You'll probably get off cheaper picking up one of those 36W nail dryer boxes than buying all the parts. I bought one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-36W-110V-Nail-Art-UV-Salon-Gel-Curing-Tube-Light-Dryer-4-X-9W-Lamp-3-/180832116113?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1a6f1d91#ht_4636wt_1301 

Just take it apart and rebuild it. They were even nice enough to include some unpopulated pads on the PCB that you can use to solder in a pot and some resistors to make the timed mode variable. The timer is nothing but a simple 555.

If you're making small breakout boards you can just mod it so that the timed mode is variable and slide your board right in. The picture frame i was using to hold the mask down to the board didn't quite fit, so i took a dremel and widened the opening. I also didn't like that the bulbs aren't all on the same plane, so i cut the two on the edges out, made some new holes and superglued them back in. I found when exposing boards inside the nail dryer that it works quite quickly. I only needed to expose for about 43 seconds. 

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Mario Mikulandra" <mmaudioelectronics@...> wrote:

>
> 
> 
> Yep, nail polish tubes will do the job. Not actually designed for photo chemical process but they are fine.
> 
> Btw, what the heck is wrong with the messaging system? There is an annoying lag!? :-|
>