[sci.electronics] etch boards ???

smiller@wet.UUCP (Gregory Shane Miller) (03/17/91)

Friday 15 March 1991

Re: Etching PCBs??
----------------------

There is a another method available to make 1 and 2 sided PCBs: mechanically.
The process I refer to derives the tool path from the CAD GERBER files and
stores them (in HPGL format) into an output file.  The output file is then
sent to a driver program which moves a 3 axis CNC machine.

I happen to be the programmer for a company which does precisely this.  I
do *NOT* mean to advertise on the NET - but you should know that there are
other options available.  Being all mechanical, there are none of the problems
associated with the EPA, buying, storing, and disposing of chemicals
(especially CFC 131).

I should add that 5 mil traces with 10 mil spacing can be done.  All software
(tool path generator and CNC driver) run on IBMs.  The CNC unit mills traces
and pads and drills any holes as needed.  It will also route the board out
for you.  The system is designed for prototypes and short production runs.
Since the the PCB is derived from the GERBER files, once the prototype works,
you just send off the GERBER files for final production without further delay.

If there are questions, I will be happy to answer them directly from my mail 
box to yours (I *DO* *NOT* want to tie up the news groups with information
which may be taken as a company endorsement).

Thanks. [smiller@wet.UUCP]
-- 
--
G. Shane Miller [ smiller@wet.UUCP ]

lamb@brahms.udel.edu (Richard E Lamb) (03/18/91)

	So if this isn't too dumb a question,

	why can't we just "print" a finished PCB? Seems like a pen plotter
	that coudl draw traces might be quite handy for one offs and small
	runs.

	What would it take to do that?

mcovingt@athena.cs.uga.edu (Michael A. Covington) (03/18/91)

In article <19713@brahms.udel.edu> lamb@brahms.udel.edu (Richard E Lamb) writes:
>
>	So if this isn't too dumb a question,
>
>	why can't we just "print" a finished PCB? Seems like a pen plotter
>	that coudl draw traces might be quite handy for one offs and small
>	runs.
>
>	What would it take to do that?

I'm told you can laser-print on plastic and then "iron on" to transfer
the resist to the PCB.
-- 
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Michael A. Covington | Artificial Intelligence Programs
The University of Georgia  |  Athens, GA 30602   U.S.A.
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