I used the technology with laser printer for some simpler and smaller
boards. The problem manufacturing a PCI card with it is that
a) you can not precisely align the top/bottom layer
b) you have only 2 layers, for most of circuits it is not enough
c) you need to use gold on the connector, not cheap for 1 piece
d) you are not able to make anti-soldering mask
e) the process is enough precise for small boards, but if you
want a standard sized pci card, it will be a lot complicated
The result is, that you will rather pay some small money to a company
which makes PCB's. In the case that you use expensive chips (not 74xx
only design), the price of the board will be only a small part (we made
4x6" boards for around 10usd, but it was no PCI and not with gold, only
double sided, plated through, solder resistive mask, service mask - labels).
Anyway, I could manage the laser printing technology to 0.5 pin pitch on
a small board (its a 48pin LVDS transmitter), but for larger /
doublesided / with BGA parts I will choose rather one of the
professional manufacturers around.
Daniel
Nick LaForge wrote:
Hello,
How far can a electronics hobbiest go before he hits manufacturing
limitations? I recently read a few articles describing methods to
etch a blank PCB by pouring acid over a laserjet printed toner layout
that resists acid, creating a finished PCB. One could then add
capacitors, resistors, and ICs... but how far can one go? I
understand that making one's own PCB would yeild less precision and
could thus never achieve the same density as commercial productions,
but is it enough to build one's own computer hardware? For example, a
PCI card? Forgive my ignorance, but doesn't the ability to make one's
own PCBs only put ICs and microcontrollers out of our reach, which can
all be bought individually?
Thanks.
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