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Modification of InkJet Printer to print directly to PCB's

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Inducktion

Wed Feb 10 2016, 09:30PM

Registered Member #3637 Joined: Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:07PM
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1068

Hi guys!!

So another dumb project of mine.

One of the biggest problems with making your own PCB's at home is that it typically requires either large equipment (i.e. a laser printer with toner) or a UV lightsource for photoresist etching. There's also naturally the third one which is literally just marking on a PCB with a permanent marker but since it doesn't produce professional results I'm not really including it.

My idea was to try and fill (or refill) an inkjet cartridge with a waterproof ink, such as this stuff

. I know that's the primarily reason why normal inkjet ink's don't work, because they actually get washed away by the etchant.

My biggest worry about using this ink would be that the printer head would become clogged and inoperable. However apparently Epson manufacturers heads that use a piezo element, which, since it doesn't involve high temperatures would probably perform better.

However this kind of defeats the purpose since then this would require a specific type of printer to use.

What's everyone's take on this?

Thanks!

Conundrum

Wed Feb 10 2016, 11:10PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4062

Might work, perhaps do a two step process of printing a UV reactive ink (cough turmeric /cough) and then use a UV laser to react and develop as normal PCB?

Also yellow Epson ink if baked on at moderate heat in an oven is known to have quite good etchant resistance.

Dr. H.

Thu Feb 11 2016, 04:18AM

Registered Member #931 Joined: Mon Jul 30 2007, 05:25PM
Location: Bulgaria
Posts: 486

Durabrite ink from epson is known to work with heat treatment after printing (I think the red color was the preferred one). The modification of the printer itself seems to be quite straight forward.

Inducktion

Thu Feb 11 2016, 05:14AM

Registered Member #3637 Joined: Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:07PM
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1068

I was really hoping to avoid having to get a specific type of printer though since that just sort of defeats the purpose of it.

Hrm. I wish the inks for most inkjet printers weren't water soluble, because that's the primary issue.

klugesmith

Thu Feb 11 2016, 07:35AM

Registered Member #2099 Joined: Wed Apr 29 2009, 12:22AM
Location: Los Altos, California
Posts: 1716

How 'bout inkjet cartridges for putting designs on fingernails, for example Preemadonna?

DÃ©dÃ©!

Thu Feb 11 2016, 10:53AM

Registered Member #4932 Joined: Thu May 17 2012, 01:42PM
Location:
Posts: 59

Why don't you just use transparent film for inkjet printers and a tanning lamp with PCBs with a photoresist coating? If it still shines through the dark parts a little bit, you can just use multiple layers. I most of the time use 3 layers. The height of the tanning lamp differs per tanning lamp and size of the print, so you'll have to experiment a little with that.

Avalanche

Thu Feb 11 2016, 12:37PM

Registered Member #103 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 08:16PM
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 845

You can use a standard inkjet printer if you use inkjet-compatible transparent film. I have tried out several methods of making PCBs in the past, and this has become my 'go to' method whenever I need a board quickly. I have to layer up 2 printouts, and in the printer setup select 'plain paper' with the maximum contrast/ink usage possible.

I've tried laser in the past, but don't get good results with modern laser printers as the toner density is never enough.

Inducktion

Thu Feb 11 2016, 07:18PM

Registered Member #3637 Joined: Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:07PM
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1068

Hrm.

I would also like to try and avoid using photoresist etchings, as it introduces another cost/item you require to make boards.

Thank you guys for the suggestions though, I'm just trying to make this as simple/easy as possible so if this works, anyone can copy me and do what I did without needing anything overly exotic.

Avalanche

Thu Feb 11 2016, 08:17PM

Registered Member #103 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 08:16PM
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 845

Whoops, I didn't read the thread properly!

My boss once brought an old Roland XY plotter into work for making PCBs, by replacing the pen with a fine permanent marker. That's about the closest thing I can think of that works :) I would think modifying an inkjet would be more effort than it's worth, and certainly a lot harder than using the photo method :(

2Spoons

Thu Feb 11 2016, 09:18PM

Registered Member #2939 Joined: Fri Jun 25 2010, 04:25AM
Location:
Posts: 615

I don't see any real issue with needing an Epson printer - there only seem to be four major brands doing small injets (Epson, HP, Canon and Brother) - so Epson represent 25% of the market.

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