Lightscribe > burn PCBs

[neutron7]

I just got this new drive (benq 1625)



it can do this.



wouldnt it be nice if some enterprising company came up with CD shaped blanks that you could put in your DVD drive and "burn" with lightscribe.

then you just dunk in etchant to make a circuit board. it could even be double sided if the allignment marks are done right.

i know the size is a bit limited. but i think round circuitboards would be cool think of the interesting designs you could do.

[I_Forgot]

I recently saw a desktop "printer" that uses a CO2 laser to cut whatever you put into it- wood, paper, plastic, etc. Maybe it can burn through copper on a PCB. I believe it sells for about $7k.

Here is a link:
http://www.engraverswarehouse.com/pinnacle_v.htm

I_F

[neutron7]

but a lightscribe DVD only costs $70 not many diyers can buy a co2 laser engraver

[I_Forgot]

Sure $7-10k is a lot for a hobbyist, but how about a hobbyist who cuts prototype PCBs with 1 hour turn-around for local industry? That machine will pay for itself pretty quickly if it can do PCBs.

I have used the lpkf and other rotary PCB cutters that cost about $10k to get set up and then have recurring tool costs. Cutting a medium sized PCB might chew up two or three tools (at $5-10 each). The software for these machines is a nightmare. It requires a skilled operator to cut a decent board.

A laser cutter doesn't require any extra tools. It etches, drills, and cuts. Set-up should go a lot faster because there's no need to keep stopping to change tools, then readjust cutting depth, etc. Software is probably a nightmare, and I'm sure there a bit of operator training involved, too.

I_F