johnm@hpcvra.HP.COM (John McVey) (04/22/87)
I would like to find a way to do simple PC boards cheaply and quickly. So far I have tried using a 'RESIST' pen in a flat-bed plotter and having the graphics system plot the pattern directly onto the copper board. I then etch in ammonium sulfate. This works better than you might think, but the problem is getting the 'RESIST' pen to do its job. I would like to try plotting on transparency film (again at 1:1 scale) and then try using some photo resist. Can anyone suggest where to by the stuff and describe its use. I know that I am approaching this whole idea with a crude methodology, but I would like to avoid the darkroom hassles of reduction and high contrast films. Thanks in advance. John McVey hplabs!hp-pcd!johnm
jeffr@sri-spam.istc.sri.com (Jeff Rininger) (04/23/87)
In article <4110001@hpcvra.HP.COM> johnm@hpcvra.HP.COM (John McVey) writes: >I would like to find a way to do simple PC boards cheaply >and quickly. John, if you are doing prototypes or "one-offs," look into using Stahler mills. A Stahler mill is basically a pad cutter with a built-in drill. You lay out your board in the standard manner, center-punch the component holes, and use the Stahler mill in a drill press to cut pads for each component. What you end up with is an isolated pad for each component lead, and a nice ground plane everywhere else. You then insert the components and wire the board using the component leads. The process is extremely fast (I can lay out a fair-sized board and drill it in one lunch hour), and a lot less messy than going the "resist-etch" route. Stahler is in San Jose; (408) 252-4219. They make three sizes, $25.00 each or all three for $70.00.
ornitz@kodak.UUCP (barry ornitz) (04/24/87)
In article <4110001@hpcvra.HP.COM> johnm@hpcvra.HP.COM (John McVey) writes: >I would like to find a way to do simple PC boards cheaply >and quickly. Get the book: "Electronic Prototype Construction" by Steven D. Kasten. It is published by Howard W. Sams and can be ordered from many electronic suppliers. It will be the best $18 or so you can spend if you want practical information about this subject. I am somewhat biased since Steve is a coworker and good friend, but this really is a good book filled with lots of good, inexpensive, techniques. ----------------- | ___ ________ | | | / / | | Dr. Barry L. Ornitz UUCP:...!rochester!kodak!ornitz | | / / | | Eastman Kodak Company | |< < K O D A K| | Eastman Chemicals Division Research Laboratories | | \ \ | | P. O. Box 1972 | |__\ \________| | Kingsport, TN 37662 615/229-4904 | | -----------------