Printing PCB circuit boards
Hi, has anyone tried prototyping PCB circuit boards using 3D printing? I'm wondering whether there are conductive filaments to print tracks directly, or possibly using plastic as an etch resistant on top of copper boards - this sort of thing?
It would be wonderful to be able to rapid prototype small hobbyist PCBs on my 3D printer!!
Doug
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
You should check out Chuck Hellebuyck's Youtube channel. I think your answers lay there.
and an 8 inch (200mm) or greater caliper is recommended.
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/voltera/voltera-your-circuit-board-prototyping-machine
I seen this last month and thought it was interesting. Silver is being used in a nano particle ink and a solder paste as well. Still early technology but looks promising for the future.
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
Isolation routing is another option.
when My printer was in Mk1 format, I added a spring loaded scriber option, that allowed me to scratch off the ink from a PCB, exposing the copper ready for etching. (PCB material was initially covered with ink from a permanent marker...)
Bit fiddly, but might work for you
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
I haven't tried it due to the high cost, i ordered prototype pcb directly from pcb manufacturer.
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
My office co-workers are thinking about DIY solutions that may involve the following.
-Use the multi color filament option to enter the z offset when the trace should be laid down. The mk2 will pause the print and start beeping. At this point grab a conductive marker / paint and put down the trace after which the mk2 will continue printing. The only drawback is the design must account for the resistance of the conductive ink or paint (same issue with conductive filament).
-Using the steps above put down a layer of copper foil. Let the print continue for about 10 layers and pause the print. Grab a dremel with a wire brush to strip the copper that is not in a trace channel.
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
This may be of interest to you.
https://tams.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/people/wasserfall/
https://tams.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/publications/2016/sffs.pdf
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
Another nice solution featured in Hackaday: http://hackaday.com/2016/12/17/3d-printed-circuit-boards-sort-of/
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
This article has some good information regarding material that could be used for the conductive traces:
http://www.nothinglabs.com/no-etch-circuit-boards-on-your-laser-printer/
Re: Printing PCB circuit boards
I think I fond an easier method that uses 3M Z-Axis tape (conductive tape that allows electricity to flow only the the Z plane, not the X and Y.
The procedure would be the following:
1) Print a 1mm layer of the negative trace
2) Place copper foil below the negative trace
3) place 3M Z-axis tape on top of the negative trace
4) stick electronics on top of 3M Z-axis tape
Going from bottom to top, they layers would be the following:
1) cardboard or plexi glass
2) copper foil tape
3) 3D print of negative trace
4) 3m Z-axis tape
5) electronics ( amtel, resistors, caps)
Here is more specs on 3M Z-axis tape:
Z-axis tape is made by 3M, and is used to bond two conductive surfaces together and allow a small (we'd say keep it under 100mA) current to flow through the tape. But here's the cool part: its only conductive across the thickness of the tape itself, not along the length or width. Mindblowing, right? We took a macro shot of the tape above so you can see how it works. Its a regular adhesive tape with little chunks of conductive material every 0.1mm or so. The adhesive does the bonding, the little chunks do the conducting.
Printing PCB circuit boards with NijaFlex
http://hackaday.com/2017/01/19/print-flexible-pcbs-with-a-3d-printer/
