Hi
Okay...someone mentioned this on another forum, but I haven't heard of it being done.
I, like many have, am struggling with the laser printer toner transfer method for making PCBs myself. It never quite comes out perfect...almost...but never all the way, especially with those tiny traces.
I want to try something...rather than transfer the toner to paper, then try to iron it off the paper to a PCB, why not just try to find a way to trick a laser printer into accepting a PCB (I might have to widen the roller area to fit the height of standard FR-4 board in there), and have it print directly to the PCB. I'm thinking I would likely have to use an iron, laminator, or other heat source outside the printer, since most fusers require the paper to roll around in them, and FR-4 won't roll too well.
So, does anybody know if toner will stick (even moderately well) to copper board? Would I have to transfer charge from the printer to the board somehow (I thought the paper somehow got a charge to make the toner stick)? Maybe using metal brushes?
I was thinking of tricking the printer into thinking its fuser was warmed up, but then I though "wait...the PCBs not going to go through it anyway", so I can just let it heat up. I guess what I need is a recommendation of a printer I can easily modify to accept a flat sheet, maybe by cutting a hole in the back.
Thanks for the help!
-Dewey
Okay...someone mentioned this on another forum, but I haven't heard of it being done.
I, like many have, am struggling with the laser printer toner transfer method for making PCBs myself. It never quite comes out perfect...almost...but never all the way, especially with those tiny traces.
I want to try something...rather than transfer the toner to paper, then try to iron it off the paper to a PCB, why not just try to find a way to trick a laser printer into accepting a PCB (I might have to widen the roller area to fit the height of standard FR-4 board in there), and have it print directly to the PCB. I'm thinking I would likely have to use an iron, laminator, or other heat source outside the printer, since most fusers require the paper to roll around in them, and FR-4 won't roll too well.
So, does anybody know if toner will stick (even moderately well) to copper board? Would I have to transfer charge from the printer to the board somehow (I thought the paper somehow got a charge to make the toner stick)? Maybe using metal brushes?
I was thinking of tricking the printer into thinking its fuser was warmed up, but then I though "wait...the PCBs not going to go through it anyway", so I can just let it heat up. I guess what I need is a recommendation of a printer I can easily modify to accept a flat sheet, maybe by cutting a hole in the back.
Thanks for the help!
-Dewey