PCB by laser engraver ?

[CharlesDel]

Please anybody can inform me about the availibility of automated motion laser PCB engraving and drilling machines ?
Or any general aimed laser engraver which can be used for PCB also ?
Thank you very much for your answer.

[fantasy2]

Hello charles,

it's not possible to etch the copper away with a CO2 laser. There are some lasers capable of doing the etching but those machines are quite expensive and have a different type of laser. I researched this myself and decided not to buy a laser capable of this because of the high price.

Better just get the resistance layer away and do the etching chemically.

[timothyerickson]

Laser-Based System Speeds PCB Prototypes

This high-speed, programmable system is ideal for laser structuring, milling, and drilling of soft and ceramic substrate materials for creation of RF/microwave PCBs....

http://www.mwrf.com/Articles/Index.c...ArticleID=9571

[MaxMill4D]

LPKF quite expensive and seriously overpriced laser equipment. I have good experience with routing LPKF equipment and it is good, but cost of tooling slightly more then I accept.
So, I looking for possibility to make a home brewed laser engraver and laser drilling unit. I think it is possible.

If any one has experience, please response.

Thanks.

[zax15uk]

Using a CNC router and micro end mill is cheaper, but YAG laser would do what you want (etching copper and 'drilling' PCB). Yb:YAG is the cheaper option, but expect to spend around $15k for a used diode.

Zax.

[Tweakie]

Hi Guys,

For simple and I stress simple pcb's I have found isolation routing to be an excellent way of making. It's clean, easy and relatively quick.
http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/circuit5.wmv



For slightly more complicated pcb's I have had reasonable success with spraying the copper with car paint, CO2 lasering away what is not wanted, etching then removing the paint.



Only problem with this method is that you don't have a drill file so the holes have to be drilled manually (or create a drill file I suppose). This method is quick and perhaps best suited to surface mount stuff (no holes to drill).



Don't know if this helps but it may be food for thought.

Tweakie.

[chinacut]

Hi Charlesdel,
I am happy to see your information on cnczone . I am Mandy from JCUT.
Dear, can you considerate use cnc machine for PCB ? If yes, i hope you can check our JCUT professional PCB machine on ebay ,the link is 3030 pcb router pcb drill mini routing drilling machine - eBay (item 130449195096 end time Jan-26-11 22:46:46 PST)

Hope to get your reply.
Thank you
Mandy