3 ms·
It's fun to turn a 3d-printer into a plotter, but alas only for simple stuff. A given-away laser printer (that is, $0) and $25 laminator deliver 15 mil / 0.4 m
by lstodd 7y ago
It's fun to turn a 3d-printer into a plotter,
but alas only for simple stuff.
A given-away laser printer (that is, $0) and $25 laminator deliver 15 mil / 0.4 mm traces easily and consistently.
I very much doubt any pen can do that, even with proper mount - the rubber band will just ruin any accuracy and consistency, and even if the pen is hard fixed, the tip will still wobble, plus always imperfect levelling will mess with the track width.
- StavrosK 7y agoThis is true, that's why v2 of my mount uses a zip tie! That one works much better, and I don't really need 0.4mm traces for the quick PCBs I need. If I need tighter tolerances, I can make the PCB this way, see that it works, change the tolerance and send it to a fab. How do you use the laminator with the printer?
- lstodd 7y ago1. Preheat the PCB with common iron. 2. Apply the paper to the heated PCB 3. Pass the sandwich through the laminator several times. This ensures that the temperature and pressure are uniform across the entire PCB and toner is never smeared.
- djmips 7y agoA laser printer isn't exactly free. You might be able to find one cheaply or free but you still have to pay for toner.
- lstodd 7y agoLiterally free on local equivalents of Craiglist. If the toner gets low or photodrum dies, I just get another one.