I’ve been meaning to try the laser paint PCB thing.

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I’ve done similar which is to etch the metal by burning the paint with high power, like these: , , .? Used a bit too much power on the dog tag (thin stainless steel).

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You can actually buy lasers that will etch copper and make a PCB, they’re a bit pricey though.

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I have seen people burn off the paint, etch the board, then put it back into the laser to burn the holes.? The holes were a bit ugly.? Go surface mount and that problem goes away.

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The fumes aren’t really a problem, lasers tend to have exhaust systems.

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Various people have done what you’re proposing.? You design the machine with a replaceable head so you can make it a 3D printer, laser, drill, router, paste dispense etc.? I don’t think any of them have been all that successful.

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You’re limited to maybe a 5W laser diode which is fine for burning paint.? Those things I linked to were done on a 50W laser which uses mirrors to bounce the beam around, feasible with a replaceable head but you’d probably need to adjust the alignment every time (plus a housing would be a good idea.)

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I’ve seen the needle idea proposed as well, coat the board with something like wax and scratch it off.

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Tony

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