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Nice look at a new PCB printer. The EX. — Parallax Forums

Nice look at a new PCB printer. The EX.

Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
edited 2014-05-12 08:24 in General Discussion
Here is a look at a new printer, all to be opensource hardware and software, that prints PCB's with conductive ink.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwAhluh7MUE

I want one !

Comments

  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2014-05-10 16:04
    Heater

    Thanks for sharing!!! That is extremely cool!!!!
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2014-05-10 19:47
    That's awesome
  • LawsonLawson Posts: 870
    edited 2014-05-11 10:41
    Heater. wrote: »
    that prints PCB's with conductive ink.
    Nope! it's not ink that printer uses. That printer prints with a two-part plating solution! So the final product is has metallic silver traces. V.2 or V.3 of the http://www.cartesianco.com/ printer is going to be ultra useful!

    Marty
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2014-05-11 11:01
    And the difference is what? As far as the end user is concerned.

    From their web site: "The Argentum uses inkjet heads to precisely lay down two chemical inks..." Who am I to argue?

    I think they are on to a winner whatever you call it.
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,703
    edited 2014-05-11 20:13
    Yes it does look good and should only get better. I hope to see it in person some time soon. Couldn't make Cebit unfortunately.
  • LawsonLawson Posts: 870
    edited 2014-05-11 22:20
    Heater. wrote: »
    And the difference is what? As far as the end user is concerned.

    From their web site: "The Argentum uses inkjet heads to precisely lay down two chemical inks..." Who am I to argue?

    I think they are on to a winner whatever you call it.

    The difference with plated traces is that the traces have a couple of orders of magnitude lower resistance. I.e. mili-ohms instead of 10-1000 ohms. Also solderible, aren't many binders for inks that hold up at solder temps.

    Oh boy, given this printers ability to print on most anything this might be a costly thread in a couple of months. :P
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2014-05-11 23:53
    Ink shmink!

    I google with Bing and I hoover with an LG.

    Whatever, it sounds very good.

    I have often wondered why we can't have a flatbed inkjet printer that lays down ink to be used as a resist for a normal etching process of normal copper clad boards. Presuming a suitable etch resist ink can be found.

    However, the idea of churning out ultra cheap and quick prototypes on paper, for example, is amazing and irresistible.

    Active business cards anyone?
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,703
    edited 2014-05-12 00:14
    Heater. wrote: »
    I have often wondered why we can't have a flatbed inkjet printer that lays down ink to be used as a resist for a normal etching process of normal copper clad boards. Presuming a suitable etch resist ink can be found.

    I don't think the ink is much of a problem, its more the process technology to apply it. Sharpie markers work, so if we were all still using plotters this would be one way to do it

    3D printer filament onto standard clad fr4 is another way that stands a chance. I had one go already but the plastic slides off the fr4 as it cools, when you remove it from the bed.

    Hopefully about to try the Phaser solid wax ink blocks that I think melt around 140 C. And there are many other ways, but the EX is neat in that its additive. I think its also about the right kind of tech jump to be a success - not rocket science, just make it work reliably and keep going on from there.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2014-05-12 01:23
    I don't think we can get the resolution required for tiny little SMD chips with a Sharpie or a plotter. Hence the idle speculation about hacking up an ink jet printer.
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,703
    edited 2014-05-12 02:04
    They do make ultra fine sharpies, but yes point taken, 0.4mm pitch would be a stretch.

    I'm about to try running 0.2mm kinsten though a printer. Its about 0.28mm thick including the copper, not too dissimilar to photo paper stock
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2014-05-12 04:23
    Alright, since you guys are on the subject...... And since you are basically talking about printers.... Why not do it the coorect way and get the resolution you need?

    The key to this problem is lasers and a photo-resist that can be exposed by lasers. The photo-resist already exists:
    http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/ACCUMAX_Photoplotter_Film_ABG7.htm
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2014-05-12 04:30
    This thread goes much deeper into the subject of laser photoplotting:
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/137850-DVD-Laser-Diode-And-Optical-Block-(Future-Laser-Photoplotter)
  • ctwardellctwardell Posts: 1,716
    edited 2014-05-12 05:08
    Heater. wrote: »
    Ink shmink!

    I google with Bing and I hoover with an LG.

    Whatever, it sounds very good.

    I have often wondered why we can't have a flatbed inkjet printer that lays down ink to be used as a resist for a normal etching process of normal copper clad boards. Presuming a suitable etch resist ink can be found.

    However, the idea of churning out ultra cheap and quick prototypes on paper, for example, is amazing and irresistible.

    Active business cards anyone?

    I messed around with the idea for a week or so about 15 years ago. I was able to adjust the spacing on the feed mechanism to handle feeding 0.062 board material, but was never able to get the ink to work correctly.
    The issue at the time was that the ink would want to condense into small droplets instead of staying spread out. I tried pre-etching the board a little to roughen the surface, it helped a little, but not enough.
    I suppose with the correct ink it would be possible.

    C.W.
  • RS_JimRS_Jim Posts: 1,766
    edited 2014-05-12 06:38
    Here is their Asian competitor. Their kickstarter raised $79K! Uses special paper and ink but will be bring your own printer. Some how when this goes open source, someone needs to swap out his A****** for a propeller! Link to competitor http://agic.cc/
    Jim
  • LawsonLawson Posts: 870
    edited 2014-05-12 08:24
    Heater. wrote: »
    I have often wondered why we can't have a flatbed inkjet printer that lays down ink to be used as a resist for a normal etching process of normal copper clad boards. Presuming a suitable etch resist ink can be found.

    I'd also use a flat-bed printer that you could just set on whatever you wanted printed. One of the big uses for me would be printing templates on sheet-metal. Oh well, one more project to add to the list for "when I have more time".

    Marty
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