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Through-hole plating: how to? — Parallax Forums

Through-hole plating: how to?

xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
edited 2009-08-03 07:06 in General Discussion
Since I'm about to invest in a reflow soldering station, and now have the ability to make some very fine run PC boards, the final skill I need to start making some really cool stuff is to be able to do through-hole plating so I am not spending time soldering little wire bits through all the pass-throughs. Does anyone have or know of a preferred technique for doing this?

Thanks!

Dave X

Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-07-30 11:18
    It can be done at home, but it isn't easy; you need several chemical tanks and temperatures need to be tightly controlled for it to work properly.

    Leon

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    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
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  • xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
    edited 2009-07-30 11:49
    After reading some related comments on videos on YouTube about this, I'm gathering I'm in for a bit if a gearing up. But I can see no other way to make the component density I need without through-hole plated vias. Can you offer more specifics about the process you know of?

    Thanks!

    Dave
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2009-07-30 15:12
    Dave, if you are talking one or two boards I wouldn't bother trying to plate the holes. If you are doing more you might start thinking about having it done at a PCB manufacturing shop. It will cost less that buying all the equipment and chemicals.

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    - Stephen
  • xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
    edited 2009-07-30 15:41
    No question that the boards will be farmed out when in production, but I will have need to make small quantities of boards at very high quality with same-day completion (nothing but a concept at 8am, working board by 8pm). Hence the inquiry... I can do everything else now except the through-hole, and I'll need that. Still looking for best choices in this matter - does anyone have the info?

    Thanks,

    Dave
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-07-30 16:01
    If the thru holes are for components, just solder the component top and bottom to complete the circuit. For vias, short pieces of wire will do the job.

    -Phil
  • xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
    edited 2009-07-30 16:17
    Hi Phil - thanks, but see post #1 - I'm doing that now, and do not want to for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being that I have to run several vias underneath tiny 40 pin chips that would not provide the clearance to allow for soldering wire bits.

    So.... one last time.... does anyone have any info on HOW to plate my own vias? I'm gathering that the answer is probably not...??? smile.gif

    Best,

    Dave
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-07-30 16:43
    Sorry: I missed that point. I think you're out of luck doing it on your own. There are board houses that provide one- or two-day turns on proto boards. But trying to get "in by nine, out by five" service is asking too much. A cultural shift in the way you work is probably your best solution. Maybe do several projects at once and overlap them, so you can remain productive while you're waiting for boards.

    -Phil
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-07-30 16:44
    Here's a kit:

    www.megauk.com/through_hole_plating.php

    It's rather expensive at £5145, and other equipment is needed.

    Leon

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
    Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
  • xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
    edited 2009-07-30 16:55
    Phil - you would't believe my "culture", and hence the need for going from nothing to everything in no time! smile.gif
    Leon - that link was actually immensely helpful, and gave me sufficient keywords to search out to refine my search, and to find some things that may be exactly what I am looking for. Basically it's a three step process that, if it works as I'm hoping, will do the job perfectly. First step is to apply a sealer into each hole to be plated to seal the fiberglass, next step is a polymer/acrylic high-temp platable base, the last step is a non-electrolysis deposition system that plates the polymer acrylic stuff. These items are not being advertised for this use, but they should work - I'll know when I actually get them and try them out. I'll let you all know!

    Dave
  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2009-07-31 18:37
    As a last resort, LPKF sells a silver based product that you vacuum through the top side to the bottom with a vacuum table. You can rig your own vacuum table and do it. Squeegie the liquid on, turn on the vacuum, flip the board and repeat. The vacuum pulls the liquid from top to the bottom of the holes. You cook the board afterwards. The problem is that the holes are not guaranteed to be solderable after the fact, however vias are usually fine. Soldering through hole parts may cause a problem, which on a double sided boards requires soldering through hole pins on top and bottom of the PCB. If you are fast on the soldering with low heat you can have less faults.
  • xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
    edited 2009-07-31 18:45
    Thanks for the info - another one I can follow up on. Most of my vias will not require soldering - just a conductive path.

    Dave
  • xanatosxanatos Posts: 1,120
    edited 2009-07-31 18:45
    Thanks for the info - another one I can follow up on. Most of my vias will not require soldering - just a conductive path.

    Dave
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2009-08-03 07:06
    Check into PCB eyelets. I have the kit from BEST to repair plated through holes and it would work for your needs.

    www.solder.net/marketplace/product_desc.asp?Sku=BEST%20Through-hole%20Repair%20Kit&Category=108

    or google "PCB eyelet"

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    Andrew Williams
    WBA Consulting
    IT / Web / PCB / Audio
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