PCB Construction using DIY DLP System

[satdaveuk]

Hi
This is a must read future project for us to make are own DIY PCBs
I propose we all get are heads together and work out Ideas to construct a DLP System with low cost home construction in mind.

Any Ideas at all please post

Regards

Dave

[Qiaozhi]

Hi
This is a must read future project for us to make are own DIY PCBs
I propose we all get are heads together and work out Ideas to construct a DLP System with low cost home construction in mind.

Any Ideas at all please post

Regards

Dave

This paper discusses a photolithographic process that is used for making ICs. I don't think this could be adapted for creating PCBs, and the equipment they're talking about would cost around $5000.

[greylourie]

That first article is from 2005. Prices of projectors back then were quite dear. A digital projector you could buy today is much cheaper and possibly better quality. But yes, as Qiaozhi has pointed out, this is for very small fine work.

Diy pcb work can be done with photo-sensitive dry film applied/laminated to copper clad board. Buy the film off ebay, or buy the board ready to go. Loads of places to buy from. Mega UK sell both, but their film is only available in large rolls.
Plenty of examples on the web of how to do the whole process, from artwork to etch. Even lack of a laser printer for artwork is not a problem. Plenty examples of work done with inkjet and plain old 80gm/m2 paper. Guys are getting very fine line/spacing using inkjet artwork, now. Do not waste time with laser toner transfer pcb production. Photo-sensitive film is cheap and produces much finer work.

You can even apply your own professional looking solder resist. You can buy solder resist film with photo-sensitive properties. Here is a good example of applying solder resist film to your own pcb, using a hacked up laminator : http://youtu.be/BBi4-BM4mKA

Want to do through-hole or vias ? All possible at home, if you have the time and inclination. Example video here : http://youtu.be/9rME-XGCcCo And here : http://youtu.be/fY0AjzKLA-8 The author of the second through-hole plating video is a Brazillian with a very comprehensive set of tutorials, that can be found here : http://www.engenhariacaseira.com/ind...id=2&Itemid=43
Process originally used in old day Russia, fell into disuse after Perestroika/Glasnost. Taken up/ revived by Russian hobbyists.
Process explained at following link, be sure to read the comments, as there might be useful hints there : http://www.instructables.com/id/Inex...l-quality-PCB/

You can use the dry film photo-resist to etch smd solder paste stencils, and recylce your drinks cans at the same time. See here : http://bonybrown.blogspot.co.uk/2013...e-stencil.html

And another DIY smd stencil link here : http://lowpowerlab.com/blog/2013/02/...tive-tutorial/

[Silver Dollar]

I think we should all chip in and get the IC maker. then we can remake all those old obsolete IC's
we need for our metal detectors. Home made 308's!

Maybe we could tune them for our needs. Good 1/f noise etc...

[sinclairuser]

i dont see home produced boards as having a future at all, with the right design files i can have boards made locally for about a fiver each(small batches), boards that have a quality that cannot be reproduced at home even with a massive outlay.
switch production to emerging economies and increase the number of boards and the price drops considerably, and you dont lose quality.
one off prototypes are just that, production runs should have the best quality boards available, something that cant be done at home.
i am prepared to be educated on the subject, but i have never had faith in self etched boards, ok for first batch bench testing, but after that the boards must switch to the final production boards, you have to work with production parts even at second prototype stage to eliminate nondesireable variables.
in a hobby context the outlay costs would never be justifiable.

[greylourie]

I think for hobbyists, its all about prototyping. One-offs. Learning and making changes to your project as you go along. Producing for commerce would probably be best served by going through the accepted channels of a professional pcb/smd assembly house.
Commercial production is about profit and loss, reliability and uniform performance. A different animal.

My bent is on the making.... Others might be more interested in just assembling ready made bits. So, it is horses for courses.

I would be very happy to be able to emulate any of the examples in post #3. To be able to expand my skills and knowledge would give a sense of pride and achievement. Thats the whole point of "my" hobby.

[greylourie]

I made a post in off-topic about with links to a webpage with a story describing someones journey to repair/replace a faulty custom I.C.

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showt...512#post193512