[NLRS] PCB Fab Problem(s)

[Bruce Richardson]

Hi Bud:

The wavering lines sounds to me like either the temperature
or the pressure are wrong--or both.  I've seen too much
pressure widen traces that I didn't want that wide.  Now I'm
not saying what the right iron temperature is--I'll bet
you're already following what little printed guidance there
is.

I will say that when I used to use PNP (Press-N-Peel) Blue
(which I rave about), I sometimes ironed with a kitchen
towel between the iron and the board.  Sure, I had the iron
cranked as hot as the instructions (for PNP) but I was
worried about the acetate melting on my iron.  Maybe it
wouldn't have, but when I cranked up the heat a bit, at
least I felt comfortable.

http://www.techniks.com/  

As to the adhesion, you're cleaning job sounds fine to me.
Sure, on one hand, it makes you wonder if the toner
particles are melting and transferring to the "cooler"
board.  I could see if the board got too hot, they (the
toner particles) would be melty and runny on it too. So
maybe I'm starting to think too much warmth.

Just to throw out another possibility--perhaps toner
formulations have changed.  Maybe they aren't the same
particles we used to know and love.  But I'd have to ask a
copy machine professional that question :-) .

When I used to use copy machines to do the toner transfer, I
sometimes had to bump up the "darkness" a few few notches to
make sure I had more toner in the black areas. I trust
you've already fiddled with that.

Anyways, I trust your cleaning. What are your thoughts about
temperature and pressure?

73
Bruce W9FZ

> -----Original Message-----
> From: nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bud
Patten
> Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2008 2:14 PM
> To: nlrs at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [NLRS] PCB Fab Problem(s)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Are any of you guys using the Pulsar toner transfer system
to 
> make your own pcb's?  I think that I'm following the 
> manufactures directions correctly but can't get the toner
to 
> stick worth a hoot!  I'm scrubbing the board with a 3M pad

> with Tide, rinsing in warm water and drying with a paper 
> towel.  Then I tape the artwork to the board and use an
iron 
> at max temp for varying periods of time (20 -40 sec.) with

> moderate pressure and end up with wandering tracks and
poor adhesion.
> 
>  
> 
> Any thoughts?
> 
>  
> 
> Bud
> 
> W0LCP
> 
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