On Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 01:58:58PM -0400, Michael Watterson wrote: > On 21/03/2011 17:38, V G wrote: > > On Sat, Mar 19, 2011 at 5:15 PM, V G wrote: > > > >> Hi, I like the idea of direct to PCB resist printing, but don't really= have > >> the time to modify my own printer. Does anyone know of where I can get= a > >> pre-modified printer for this purpose? > > > > Hm. I guess not :( >=20 > Photo exposure is better. >=20 > Iron off laser toner next best. Discussed previously here >=20 > Any other print solution will be poor This is a current topic of interest for me. Basic parameters: 1. Single sided, one off, SMT boards for hobby prototyping. So occasional processing (not too complicated) and ultra quick turnaround (the faster, the better, ideally 1 hour or less) are at a premium. 2. Most likely targets are SOIC, 0805/0603 type parts. 3. KiCAD is the development target (may or may not be relevant) What is the best method using the following priorities (in order): 1. Speed from printing of design to population ready. 2. Process repeatibility both in terms of producing a correct board with the process and producing repeat boards using the same process. Presume that this is the occasional hobby board, not a production setup. 3. Cost per board. In short if I could print chips directly onto the PCB, that would be great. Impossible, but great. Right now I'm looking at using a PCB hot plate type setup for soldering. So the faster I can get setup, the faster I can get finished. I'm planning on testing both the Toner Transfer and the Photo resist with precoated boards. Both seem to be about the same amount of time in terms of speed. Overall the TT method seems to be cheaper as precoated boards seem to run about 3x the cost. So it seems to me that the real question is process repeatability. Thoughts? BAJ >=20 > --=20 > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 Byron A. Jeff Department Chair: IT/CS/CNET College of Information and Mathematical Sciences Clayton State University http://cims.clayton.edu/bjeff --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .