PCB etching etc...

[Scenaria]

ok I have been doing a TON of reading over the past week on the various processes available.. and have a question about masking..

im cool with the entire process of developing and etching etc...

but what I would like to do is also add my own masks to the boards...

from what I have seen this can be done a number of ways

1. silk screen setup
2. laminate machine

can anyone tell me what I would be looking for if I wanted to go the laminate way? I understand the theory behind it all but im not sure on the materials etc.. how do you deal with the mask in regards to the areas that should etch through and the areas that shouldnt? is this just a masking layer thats developed etc.. onto the film?

also wondering about something else... every thing I have read about thru plating says that you should do this process before etching the boards.. so the question is....do you transfer the artwork to the board.. then drill it before the etching process? otherwise the only way you would know where to drill would be to use a cnc machine thats pre-programmed

seems like theres a ton of processes in getting professional results..

:\

 

[Gus]

I would think the biggest problem would be the EPA.

 

[dissonantstring]

hi steve,
possibly this site might help in your quest for professional looking pcbs.
i haven't tried making my own (hopefully soon), but i found this site a while back and i'm thinking of getting their system (you can make white dry transfer decals too!)

http://www.pulsar.gs/PCB/a_Pages/3_Direct_Etch/3b_The_15min_PCB/The_15min_PCB.html

not sure if this is the exact info you're looking for but i hope it's helpful
(check at the bottom of the page especially about green overlay, silk screen and a 'pseudo' solder mask.

-grant

 

[asm]

nice find on that link dissonatstring!

damn. some real fine lines on that homemade transfer. probably the best ive seen.

:thumb:

t

 

[dissonantstring]

hi t,
yeah, the etching system they sale is pretty straight forward like the press n peel stuff, but it seems like you can make your pcb look pretty pro looking.
the initial cost of the system is about $100 from what i gather. from emails with them they still seem to be a small company. i think most of the cost is in the heat transfer device, but around here you can buy their transfer paper for about $9 a pack and just iron them on with an iron. some good ideas though about the testers paint which melts away from the solder though like i said i haven't tried it yet, but if i do i'll let the forum know how well it works.
plus you can make decals for front panels too! :grin:
-grant

 

[CJ]

Steve, why not farm it out to Gustav? Save yourself a lot of hassle and possibly money.

Or you could use that fish tank for the etching process, it has air bubbles and a heater already. I don't think the fish would like it, but give it a try.

 

[Butterylicious]

The last boards I had made, the guy at the shop called me a cheap-skate for putting all my text in copper instead of paying extra for a silkscreen layer.

 

[Scenaria]

well this is to save on prototype work

im looking at the cost to have a few one-offs and it just doesnt make sense knowing there will be 3 or 4 revisions before the final product...

the final product will be sent out to a 3rd party

I guess I figured while im in the learning mode I'd like to see how nice I could make the proto-type boards with masking and all :green:

like usual I tend to get carried away

:roll:

 

[gyraf]

I use a very-very simple setup for prototyping - you surely don't need fancy stuff like through-plating, silverplating, soldermask or screenprinting for prototype series?

For me at least, a photo-pcb setup is all that's needed..

Jakob E.