MAKE | HOW TO – Make PCB’s with a laser printer

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By Phillip Torrone
Posted 2006/02/24 @ 6:13 am
Category Electronics

Here’s how to make printed circuit boards with a laser printer Link.

Also, check out our extremely thorough “Primer” in MAKE Volume 02. Subscribers can log in and read it now.

BY Phillip Torrone

Editor at large - Make magazine. Creative director - Adafruit Industries, contributing editor - Popular Science. Previously: Founded - Hack-a-Day, how-to editor - Engadget, Director of product development - Fallon Worldwide, Technology Director - Braincraft.

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3 Responses to HOW TO – Make PCB’s with a laser printer

screaminscott on February 24th, 2006 at 8:02 am said:

Ummmm.. did he say keep the iron pressed to the paper for 5 minutes?

Perhaps he meant 5 SECONDS?

I think that the paper would catch fire after more than a few second.

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rickster on February 24th, 2006 at 10:10 am said:

Besides using a laser printer, one should be able to make this type of etching mask using a photocopier as well, since it also prints with thermally set toners.

I’m sure he is correct about ironing the transfer for 5 minutes. Paper handles being ironed just fine. With the iron’s temperature setting on “silk”, the iron will only get to about 150Â°C (300Â°F) – well below paper’s flash point of 233Â°C (451Â°F). That temperature should be enough to bond the toner to the copper. The paper may get a little brown, however, if the iron is left stationary too long, but it won’t ignite. Frankly I’d be more worried about melting the board’s plastic base.

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nhjnmhjm on December 20th, 2007 at 7:01 am said:

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