"Press N Peel" alternatives for laying out PCB?
Morrolan
Posts: 98
Hi guys,
I want to start etching some of my designs onto proper boards rather than breadboard (433Mhz stuff likes minimal track lengths etc, and really doesn't like breadboard) but here in the UK we have 4 options:
1. Professional Manufacture. Too expensive for one-offs.
2. UV Lightbox and pre-sensitised board. Again, too expensive with UV boxes about £100 minimum ($200+)
3. Pen/Scratch transfer sets. Too innacurate.
4. "Press N Peel".
Now, Press N Peel is this paper you print to from a laser printer or photocopier, then press onto the copper and iron on. Thing is, this stuff comes in packs 5 A4 sheets, and costs £15 a pack! If I only want to make a 40mm x 60mm board (common for me) then I'd end up wasting a sheet each time.
What alternatives do I have? I'd prefer to source from the UK if possible, but if the price + shipping is still economical, I will gladly ship from the US.
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Flying is simple. You just throw yourself at the ground and miss.
"I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image."
Stephen Hawking
I want to start etching some of my designs onto proper boards rather than breadboard (433Mhz stuff likes minimal track lengths etc, and really doesn't like breadboard) but here in the UK we have 4 options:
1. Professional Manufacture. Too expensive for one-offs.
2. UV Lightbox and pre-sensitised board. Again, too expensive with UV boxes about £100 minimum ($200+)
3. Pen/Scratch transfer sets. Too innacurate.
4. "Press N Peel".
Now, Press N Peel is this paper you print to from a laser printer or photocopier, then press onto the copper and iron on. Thing is, this stuff comes in packs 5 A4 sheets, and costs £15 a pack! If I only want to make a 40mm x 60mm board (common for me) then I'd end up wasting a sheet each time.
What alternatives do I have? I'd prefer to source from the UK if possible, but if the price + shipping is still economical, I will gladly ship from the US.
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Flying is simple. You just throw yourself at the ground and miss.
"I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image."
Stephen Hawking
Comments
you can cut a piece and tape it to a stiffer sheet, then send it through.
(Just make certain that the printer can take 'heavy' paper, 160grams or more)
You can also use special felt-tip pens to draw your design directly onto the copper and etch.
It may not look as nice as the 'pro' methods, but it works OK as long as you don't need to work with SMT components. (If you have a steady hand you could possibly do the larger SMT types)
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Don't visit my new website...
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/?yguid=201355052
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- Stephen
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There's nothing like a new idea and a warm soldering iron.
Also I found that using the same code and the same circuit - the expresspcb board performed better - i.e. less errors and un-explained "issues"
J
I'm going to experiment with toner transfer, but I think press n peel cut off and tacked to normal paper might be my best bet.
Does anyone know of a cheap supplier of press n peel, anywhere in the world? I'm sure you can buy it cheaper than £3 / $6 a sheet somewhere in the world...
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Flying is simple. You just throw yourself at the ground and miss.
"I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image."
Stephen Hawking
Wouldn't you prototype on a breadboard? then move the circuit to a PCB?
J
Yes I've prototyped on a breadboard, but I'm currently working on 2 projects:
1: With the 433Mhz transmitter and receiver system I'm making to remotely control a turret system, I need to keep track/wire lengths to a minimum to find the optimum layout for the antenna etc. This will require some experimentation, so getting my boards fabbed is too costly.
2: The second project is a wearable device for arthritis sufferers, and is designed to be as slim and low profile as possible. My partner suffers badly, so she has agreed to be my guinea pig and wear the various incarnations of the device as I make it smaller and smaller, going from through-hole to SMT to OEM stamp kit and building the stamp right into the board.
At the moment the smallest I can make the board in eagle using a standard stamp is 25mm x 45mm (mounting components under the stamp). I will get the boards fabbed professionally when ready, but i'm still a long way away from that.
Also, this must be worn on the forearm and not be visible under a loose sleeve, so you can see why my misses wouldn't want to wear a breadboard full of wires on her arm
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Flying is simple. You just throw yourself at the ground and miss.
"I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image."
Stephen Hawking
fair enough then!
J
Regards,
Craig
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