Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 31

Thread: Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    US
    Posts
    7
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)

    I have seen some discussion online regarding making PCB directly with CO2 laser by eliminating unwanted copper with laser and leaving copper traces.

    Is this a possible scenario? I heard so many different opinions that I am truly confused and want to hear from experienced members here.

    Besides CO2 laser (just ordered),
    my lab does have a Xenon-Phosphorus-Neon gas laser that cuts thin copper like butter....I think this would work for making PCB directly, but I don't have experience with CO2 laser.

    Any help appreciated.

    Similar Threads:


  2. #2
    Registered bigbunny5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Republic of Texas
    Posts
    100
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    I know this one will I've seen it done. the problem is it takes experance and a learning curve to get it right!

    An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all, and Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.


  3. #3
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    63
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    I am going to paint some black paint on some FR4 to be used as acid resist, and then i'm going to etch away the un-needed paint.... Wanna see some pics of the results? You guys ever try this method?



  4. #4
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    US
    Posts
    7
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    If you get a good result trying black paint, could you please share your result pics?

    I have seen this method discussed in this forum somewhere.



  5. #5
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    US
    Posts
    7
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bigbunny5 View Post
    I know this one will I've seen it done. the problem is it takes experance and a learning curve to get it right!
    My lab has a Versalaser.

    Do you know where I can see some result or techniques of direct laser PCB etching?



  6. #6
    Registered
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    25
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bkinman View Post
    I am going to paint some black paint on some FR4 to be used as acid resist, and then i'm going to etch away the un-needed paint.... Wanna see some pics of the results? You guys ever try this method?
    I did last night, it works great. A lighter weight copper board will prevent undercut. The etch I did looks pretty impressive. I put Scotch tape across a board, two light coats of Duplicolor flat black allowed to dry in between, then etched. The black paint came off easy with acetone.

    Ill post pix later.

    Now, I am trying to figure out HOW to remove the black paint, been thinking laser but its starting to sound cost prohibitive.

    I got my power supply yesterday, have a controller board on order, and the concept for the mill in my head.

    Cheers-
    Andrew



  7. #7
    Registered
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    25
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Here is the test results of using paint to resist etch. Worked out great! Now, to figure out if an inexpensive laser would work to burn away the black paint... or what other method would be used?

    Here are the pictures as promised:





















    HTH-
    Andrew



  8. #8
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    63
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Here is a picture of my results (after etching) and a video of the process.

    I used rubbing alcohol to remove the paint that re-deposited back onto the surface of the copper. This actually seems to be quite a problem. If I do not use the proper speed and power settings (perhaps 20 speed and 60 power?), then I get bad results due to the paint I am not trying to ablate burning, or the paint that I am ablating sticking back to the the surface of the copper.







  9. #9
    Registered happytriger2000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    currently in UK
    Posts
    139
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bkinman View Post
    Here is a picture of my results (after etching) and a video of the process.

    I used rubbing alcohol to remove the paint that re-deposited back onto the surface of the copper. This actually seems to be quite a problem. If I do not use the proper speed and power settings (perhaps 20 speed and 60 power?), then I get bad results due to the paint I am not trying to ablate burning, or the paint that I am ablating sticking back to the the surface of the copper.



    Hi Bkinman,
    I'm going to buy a Laser Engraving machine sometime soon, and I'll be usining it for PCB route engraving, May I know which brand of Laser Machine do you have and where did you buy it from?

    Thanks,

    Freddy



  10. #10
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    63
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    It is a Laserpro Explorer II. I do not own this one, it belongs to the University of California, Santa Cruz.



  11. #11
    S.N.A.F.U. miljnor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    usa
    Posts
    1880
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    I thought (by the title of the thread) that you were looking for a NON-etch laser process?

    thanks
    Michael T.
    "If you don't stand for something, chances are, you'll fall for anything!"


  12. #12
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    63
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    I'm not sure that you CAN do it by just etching off the copper. The fiberglass underneath would not take well to that at all.



  13. #13
    Registered
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    327
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bkinman View Post
    I used rubbing alcohol to remove the paint that re-deposited back onto the surface of the copper. This actually seems to be quite a problem. If I do not use the proper speed and power settings (perhaps 20 speed and 60 power?), then I get bad results due to the paint I am not trying to ablate burning, or the paint that I am ablating sticking back to the the surface of the copper.
    Try changing to burn from the bottom up instead of the top down. I have the exact same laser and have used that setting many times when I want to eliminate, or reduce, soot or other problems.

    Gary



  14. #14
    Registered
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    usa
    Posts
    422
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Ok, I know this is an old thread, but this is what I am trying to do and was cutious what the results are. I have a 120 watt laser and need to make a PCB. I was wondering if anyone had success with the "no chemical" aspect of making the boards. I have never made my own board before so any help would be great.

    Thanks!

    Necessity is the mother of all invention (unknown)
    My club home page www.lhmac.org


  15. #15
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Poland
    Posts
    787
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Dont loose your time. No way to make it without chemistry.



  16. #16
    Registered
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    324
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Could you use a CNC router, and cut down a fraction of a mm below the copper?



  17. #17
    Registered EXLASer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    China
    Posts
    314
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default CNC Router on PCB board

    Agreed bpoulin cnc router suggestion,here are some photos for special tools for PCB boards.if need I can check you some details of PCB tools.
    Mike

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)-pcb1-jpg   Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)-pcb2-jpg   Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)-pcb3-jpg  


  18. #18
    Member Tweakie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    707
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    For very simple one off pcb's I have found isolation routing to be quick and cost effective. Most of my prototype stuff is made this way.
    For more complicated boards, spraying with car paint, laser etching, then chemical etching is quick and easy but better suited to surface mount (as there is no drill file, through-hole would be a pain to drill manually). Tweakie.CNC - Making stuff - Printed Circuit Boards.

    Tweakie.

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)-pcbb1-jpg   Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)-pcbb2-jpg  
    CNC is only limited by our imagination.


  19. #19
    Registered
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    3
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Might be possible

    I have been exploring this as well, first idea was to use a UV laser on a 2 axis CNC and then chemical etch, however directly etching with the laser seems even better, here is a video of the process in action.

    Would love to hear comments from anyone experienced with laser etching, I would really like to build one of these.





  20. #20
    Member Tweakie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    707
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Mike,

    Direct etching copper with a laser is going to cost serious money.

    Tweakie.

    CNC is only limited by our imagination.


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)

Making PCB with laser (no chemical etch)