Try to modify regular printer to print PCBs

Question

Try to modify regular printer to print PCBs on that copper boards.

toxxn · Answer

I believe what the idea here is, to modify a laser ink jet printer to print directly on copper clad, in turn creating a PCB Printer. The printed board would then need to go through a treatment process using an etching liquid such as Ferric Chloride or CCiAHAS. (Copper Chloride in Aqueous Hydrochloric Acid Solution. A solution for those who are more environmental or simply don't know how to dispose of Copper Chloride, the left behind solution after etching using Ferric Chloride. Can be re-used indefinitely as well.) And then of course the final step of drilling your holes, unless otherwise a surface mount board.

toxxn · Answer

Actually using paint or a similar program is a great way to quickly show a sketch or diagram. I think this project wouldn't be very complicated and quite doable, however I think the main problem is the ink. The ink used would have to be an acrylic ink and I am unsure of how well the print would come out. That is to say, I am unfamiliar with acrylic inks other than acrylic pens specifically used for PCB's, which could be used in a CNC type PCB printer although a whole different project on it's own. As for the size of the PCB, if you were not interested in a large batch of PCB's at once, a solution other than a jig as you explained above would be to modify a smaller printer alongside a larger one. The great thing about this idea, there are so many different sized printers out there, even portable ones.