Homebrew PCBs

Hello!

Does anyone have an idea what kind of ink is used to make silkscreen 
prints on PCB's and how to use them?

I'd appreciate your help!

Thanks


LANZ

On Mon, 16 May 2005 08:21:43 -0000, lanz_24 <lanz_24@...> wrote:

> Hello!
> Does anyone have an idea what kind of ink is used to make silkscreen
> prints on PCB's and how to use them?
> I'd appreciate your help!
> Thanks
> LANZ


I use toner transfer to make the component legend (black). I do not like  
the term silkscreen very much, as component legend can be printed in many  
ways and many things on a PCB can be printed using silkscreen printing.

Maybe color toner could be used in an old cartridge for other color  
component legends..

ST

Naz-Dar used to be a common manufacturer, but when I checked their website 6 months or so ago, they posted that they were discontinuing their PC inks when the current stock is gone.  Given the amount of screened PCs made in the US this stock should last a LONG time.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: lanz_24 
  To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 4:21 AM
  Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Silkscreen Ink


  Hello!

  Does anyone have an idea what kind of ink is used to make silkscreen 
  prints on PCB's and how to use them?

  I'd appreciate your help!

  Thanks


  LANZ




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

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lanz_24" <lanz_24@y...> wrote:
> Hello!
> 
> Does anyone have an idea what kind of ink is used to make
silkscreen 
> prints on PCB's and how to use them?

Epoxy. Requires mixing two parts (ink and catalyst). Heat cured.
Screened through a tensioned polyester mesh. Photoemulsion is
applied to screen to form image. Emulsion up positive film artwork
is used to make the screen. Lines and text on the final PCB appear
as black lines on a clear background on the film artwork.
Developed screen is blocked everywhere except those areas that were
black on the artwork. Ink is squeeged across the screen to transfer
the image onto the PCB. Basically the screen printing process is
the same as used for textile (t-shirt) printing, but the ink is
tougher when cured and messier to clean-up.

Isn't the toner affected with wave soldering? maybe reflow oven? or 
a simple hot air solderer? Im concerned that if i use toner it will 
melt..and besides black toner cant be seen if i have green 
soldermask. I heard of dry film laminates for legend prints..is 
there such a thing?

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Stefan Trethan" 
<stefan_trethan@g...> wrote:
> On Mon, 16 May 2005 08:21:43 -0000, lanz_24 <lanz_24@y...> wrote:
> 
> > Hello!
> > Does anyone have an idea what kind of ink is used to make 
silkscreen
> > prints on PCB's and how to use them?
> > I'd appreciate your help!
> > Thanks
> > LANZ
> 
> 
> I use toner transfer to make the component legend (black). I do 
not like  
> the term silkscreen very much, as component legend can be printed 
in many  
> ways and many things on a PCB can be printed using silkscreen 
printing.
> 
> Maybe color toner could be used in an old cartridge for other 
color  

> component legends..
> 
> ST

Thanks! but where can i get this ink? is it available at DIY shops? 
How do I ask o it when buying? I just sa "Epoxy paint"? Is this the 
same ink that has a pot life of only 5 hours?

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "gregben" <gregben@y...> wrote:

> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lanz_24" <lanz_24@y...> wrote:
> > Hello!
> > 
> > Does anyone have an idea what kind of ink is used to make
> silkscreen 
> > prints on PCB's and how to use them?
> 
> Epoxy. Requires mixing two parts (ink and catalyst). Heat cured.
> Screened through a tensioned polyester mesh. Photoemulsion is
> applied to screen to form image. Emulsion up positive film artwork
> is used to make the screen. Lines and text on the final PCB appear
> as black lines on a clear background on the film artwork.
> Developed screen is blocked everywhere except those areas that were
> black on the artwork. Ink is squeeged across the screen to transfer
> the image onto the PCB. Basically the screen printing process is
> the same as used for textile (t-shirt) printing, but the ink is
> tougher when cured and messier to clean-up.

On Tue, 17 May 2005 06:45:15 -0000, lanz_24 <lanz_24@...> wrote:

> Isn't the toner affected with wave soldering? maybe reflow oven? or
> a simple hot air solderer? Im concerned that if i use toner it will
> melt..and besides black toner cant be seen if i have green
> soldermask. I heard of dry film laminates for legend prints..is
> there such a thing?


I've used it with hot air and there were no problems at all.

You could also use a old pen plotter to plot the legend.

I would expect there are photostructurable laquers or dry films for  
legend, but don't know a source. not sure if it would work if you use  
photostructurable soldermask under it..

ST

You can use any good quality solvent based ink instead epoxy. You'll 
never have problems if you use FeCl3 for etching. Just take care to 
degrease the board prior to imprint and "cook" a little the ink 
after (a hair dryer is good enough for this job).
Recommended suppliers: Sericol, Coates, Marabu....


Good luck!

worka.



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lanz_24" <lanz_24@y...> wrote:
> Thanks! but where can i get this ink? is it available at DIY 
shops? 
> How do I ask o it when buying? I just sa "Epoxy paint"? Is this 
the 
> same ink that has a pot life of only 5 hours?
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "gregben" <gregben@y...> 
wrote:
> > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lanz_24" <lanz_24@y...> 
wrote:
> > > Hello!
> > > 
> > > Does anyone have an idea what kind of ink is used to make
> > silkscreen 
> > > prints on PCB's and how to use them?
> > 
> > Epoxy. Requires mixing two parts (ink and catalyst). Heat cured.
> > Screened through a tensioned polyester mesh. Photoemulsion is
> > applied to screen to form image. Emulsion up positive film 
artwork
> > is used to make the screen. Lines and text on the final PCB 
appear
> > as black lines on a clear background on the film artwork.
> > Developed screen is blocked everywhere except those areas that 
were
> > black on the artwork. Ink is squeeged across the screen to 
transfer

> > the image onto the PCB. Basically the screen printing process is
> > the same as used for textile (t-shirt) printing, but the ink is
> > tougher when cured and messier to clean-up.