[Cyborg] [hacklab-discussion] PCB Printer.

[Derek Razo]

Thanks for your input on this Eric! :)

Very interesting stuff. Can't wait for higher resolution and cheaper
prices. That will really open the door for me. For now i'll just make my
own boards for prototyping.


On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 8:18 AM, Eric Boyd <mrericboyd at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Huh, this is really interesting, but I also feel like it's super over
> priced.  $1499 for a KIT which is basically a cupcake-style gantry and an
> inkjet printer head?
>
> It doesn't drill holes, so not only would circuit boards have to be
> one-sided, you're basically forced into all surface mount designs. They
> actually show some through-hole designs, but it's not at all clear how
> those could actually be made with their tool... you must have to drill
> using a different tool, or use a material like kapton where you can just
> push the pins through?
>
> Finally, as you might expect, the resolution isn't that great.  They claim
> they have it working reliably down to 600 DPI, sufficient for SOIC
> components (1.27mm pin spacing): in my world that's 25mil traces, larger
> than I've ever used.  This also explains why they DON'T show a surface
> mount arduino (with TQFP package), because that's smaller pitch than they
> can achieve...
>
> I've also done some experiments with conductive ink & paint on fabric, and
> the biggest problem occurs a few days after printing, when the ink/paint
> gets dry, and starts to crack when the fabric flexes.  The cracking causes
> breaks in the circuit, so it stops working.  I wonder if their ink has this
> problem as well?
>
> I'd still love to play around with one though - I think there are lots of
> applications in wearables, like Adam says.  That bracelet they show is very
> very cool.
>
> Eric
>
>
>
> On 11/14/13 12:57 AM, Adam Evenden wrote:
>
>> Just noticed this inkjet based pcb printer on hackaday, and then took a
>> closer look at the Kickstarter for more information. It looks quite
>> interesting, does anyone see any issues with it or see a greater potential
>> to it then expressed?
>> I think there is lots of unforseen potential in the fact it can print on
>> fabric creating flexible circuits.
>> The wearable's community may have a field day with this printer... But I
>> do not know how the ink will do over time, react to being washed, or human
>> sweat.
>>
>> http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cartesianco/the-ex1-
>> rapid-3d-printing-of-circuit-boards
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