Building PCB's - Laser Printer Transfer Method

These are some photos of my current PCB Build Process using the Laser Print Transfer Method and PCB FAB-in-a-BOX transfer materials.

The Goal is Quick and Easy PCBs - From Computer Art to finished PCB was about 20 minutes.

Starting with Art printed on a Laser Printer, this is a simple SMD project.
Cover the page with another piece of paper.

With tape, place a piece of FAB-in-a-BOX Transfer Paper over the Art.

Put the new page into the printer, and print the Art again.
Now, Ready for the Laminator.


- - - - More Laminator information goes here!! - - - -


Now, Getting ready to Laminate the FAB-in-a-BOX Green Film

First pass through the Laminator
I use a Folded Teflon Sheet as a Carrier

Second pass, at a different angle.

NOTE: After many experiments, nothing that I have used works better than the GBC H-65 Laminator from Fab-in-a-BOX!!!

Its all about pressure, at the right temperature, at the right time. Other laminators over heat, then roll after a short time lag, this is due to the heating section and rollers are a short distance apart inside the laminator.

GBH Laminator "heats via the rollers", therefore Heat and Pressure is applied at the same time.

Ready for Etch
I use Ferric Cloride. For this size of board - about a 1/4 thimble full on a soft sponge brush. I have found that it fast and it undercuts much less than the other alternative acid method.


- - - - A lot more information goes here!! - - - -

Examples of the Results

Before Etch
After Cut to size, Holes Drilled and Solder Wipe
Ready for part loading

The bottom board is a finished PCB - ready for SMD components.

This is a previous attempt and example of Direct Paper to PCB transfer, It worked great, but I lost the magic of how to do it correct! I am not sure which; Paper, Temperature and Pressure that I used. Darn.

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UPDATE
This is a more recent High Resolution Toner Transfer Project.

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