It's an interesting idea, although it sounds less practical than a 3D printer due to the extra complexity. If the main selling point is instant gratification and the user can tolerate extra cost, you could simplify the process even further. - You can eliminate the "spray with photo resist" step if you use presensitized blanks. Package several of them into a "cassette" that user can load into the machine. - Print the design on transparent film (faster exposure). ----- Original Message ----- From: "M. Adam Davis" To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 06:32 Subject: Re: [EE] PCB etching experience The processes are well enough known and understood that I'm surprised no one has come up with a machine that does the whole process "in one hour" like film machines at drug stores. 1. Little 4x6 double sided PCB blanks in hopper (eurocard size) 2. Feed into a mini CNC machine for drilling 3. Dip into through hole plating tank 4. Spray with photo resist 5. Expose with laser, both sides 6. Develop 7. Etch 8. Clean 9. Back to CNC machine for final routing It wouldn't have the finishing steps of mask or silkscreen (perhaps an inkjet or laser engraver process can be added for some silkscreen - maybe the laser station that exposes in #5 can laser etch too). But I bet there'd be a (small) market for it, somewhat like the rapid 3D prototyping machines offices are buying. And since a lot of stuff is machine assembled, there's not much need for silkscreen and soldermask. Feed that into a paste applicator/pick and place machine, then into a 3 zone oven, and you've got a 1 hour circuit shop. On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 6:26 AM, Russell McMahon wrote: >> One of the nice things is that you mount your blank material on the > machine, change tools occasionally, and when you're done you have an > etched, drilled, and cut-out PCB. There is a lot less "in between" > time than with chemical etching. > /> > > I briefly looked at using the CD/DVD printing facility on many inkjet > pro\inters as a means of printing resist ink directly to PCB. > > I found that various people has done whole pro\inter mods to allow > larger sized PCBs to be printed directly. > > Using relatively little automation you could get much of the process > automated. > > Adding an NC drill using a dremel like device and an XY table would > give you the holes. I'm sure numerous designs are available already. > Speed can be adjusted to accomodate low power mechanicsms. Feedback > would allow accuracy if desired. > > Cutouts etc not handled without extra effort. > > Overall system could be cheapish and goodish and would probably prove > popular. > > For extra points add an automated through link placer with soldering. > > > Russell > > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist