That kind of misses the point. I am looking to see if anyone knows
of a suitable etch resist ink, and/or a suitable soldermask ink.
If I do decide to go your way and do the transparancy method with UV
sensitive photoresist, I have a few questions.
How do I know when I have the proper exposure?
Can you over-expose?
How dark black does the transparancy need to be for this method to be
effective?
I have access to some pretty sophisticated hardware if I do decide to
try this method. Items such as a photoplotter, a vacuum backed UV
table (for exposing printing plates) and more, but it is a hassle to
go there for all the neat toys.
I don't think there would be any issues with the image size not being
exactly 100% as it is a professional photoplotter designed to make
printing plates for magazine reproduction.
Potentially, I may just have to experiment with different inks if
nobody has any suggestions.
Does anyone print legends on thier prototype boards?
Does anyone use anything to add a soldermask?
Does anyone even use any type of conformal coating?
Im my opinion you're much better off using photoresist coated
boards.
Print your layouts using the right transparent medium for your
printer
(laser or inkjet) and use that to expose the board under UV. I made
a
suitable lightbox with tubes sold as spare parts for the ready-made
unit sold by Maplin. I also use ready-prepared developer and etcher
from them and get a great result every time.
Cheers
Derryck
