PnP HELP!!!

crazeydazey · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:56 am Post subject: PnP HELP!!!

Hi.

I did my first attempt at Ironing a PnP onto a PCB yesterday and as you can see I wasn't very successfull..

can anyone tell me where I went wrong.

I'm not too sure that I had the iron set on the right setting for a start (the instructions I followed said put on polyester setting, my iron doesn't have a polyester setting, so I used wool????)

they also said that the transfer should be at the same heat as the iron and turn black when ready .. (it wasn't black and I wasn't touching my iron or PCB to see if they were at the same temp Shocked

)

I'm sure I'll get there eventually but these PnP's aren't cheap...

as for this PCB I think I'm just gonna touch it up with a sharpie and hope for the best..

Cheers

Daz

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Luka · Joined: Jun 29, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Melb.

read the other thread, there were great tips in there

http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-29554.html

crazeydazey · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:58 am Post subject:

Cheers Luka..

I noticed this thread and started reading it, but after reading a few posts, it just seemed to mention Printers (I have no problem with the printer, I use works which is a HP laserJet 4050 Series PCL 6 and it does a great job), I guesss if I should have read on... Embarassed

Your right there is some cool tips in there I will try these next time..

Thanks

Daz..

numbertalk · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:25 am Post subject:

This is probably all mentioned in the other thread but make sure you:

1) Clean the copper very well. I use those green Scotch Brite pads and some Comet or Bon Ami cleaner. Then do not touch the copper with your fingers - dry with a paper towel.

2) Make sure your iron is getting hot enough and that you are distributing the heat well (getting the iron to all the parts of the board that need the transfer). Also I put a piece of paper on top of the whole thing and iron the board and trasnsfer paper through that.

3) If using PnP, let the board cool down for a while before peeling the paper off. I've seen others say differently but mine have always come out splotchy that way. Usually if I let it cool down for 30 minutes or more then carefully peel away the transfer paper there are usually only a few minor spots, if any, that need to be touched up.

fluxmonkey · Joined: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 708 Location: cleve

as above and from the previous thread: cleaning the board thoroughly is th single most important thing, i think. ironing long enough (especially with such large areas to cover) will also help, i think... err on the side of ironing too long and too hard (but not too hot).

the good news is: all of the traces look like they are at least partially transferred, so i think you'll have good luck with the sharpie touchup.

b

crazeydazey · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:39 am Post subject:

cool.. cheers everyone

I will follow all your instructions and should hopefully have a more successful second attempt..

I think your right bbob, everything looks like it's there, so it should touch up nice with a sharpie...

thnx

Daz

Pehr · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:56 am Post subject:

Luka · Joined: Jun 29, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Melb.

funny thing happened yesterday when i was ironing on a transfer
i had heated the blank pcb and was is the final stages of orientating the pnp so that it fit exactly within the bounds and i accidentally let the pnp drop ( i think i rubbed up against the hot pcb ) onto the hot pcb. the pnp was only down for a second and i quickly ripped it back up in panic and when i pulled it up it left a perfect transfer :0

i couldnt believe it. so much for ironing with all your pressure and for 15 minutes. it was only down for 1 or 2 seconds and the toner just ripped off the pnp and stuck perfectly to the pcb

crazy

Pehr · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:24 am Post subject:

I'll try that next time Very Happy

Luka · Joined: Jun 29, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Melb.

i wish i could accidentaly drop my drill onto the etched board and it completely drill all the holes! hehe

fluxmonkey · Joined: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 708 Location: cleve

Luka · Joined: Jun 29, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Melb.

i had the iron on the pcb to warm it up for a minute or two
(iron was on just below maximum setting)

bubblebunz · Joined: Sep 04, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Australia

I cant get pnp to work with my printer and I did a total botch of the Oddy pcb today trying my usual method of ironing the toner off a photocopy. Then I remembered this old technique for lifting magazine images; basically you tape the image face down and rub acetone into the back of it and the image is transfered across. I tried it using a photocopy of the Oddy pcb and it carried over beautifully, although it was probably too light to etch directly (I traced over it using a fineliner). I think next time I will try using a bit more acetone and leave it a bit longer and see if I can get something that I dont have to touch up. It gave me the best board I have done so far (which is really not saying very much).

Luka · Joined: Jun 29, 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: Melb.

i totally flunked out on my latest batch of pcbs Embarassed

standard technique and they all came out horrible
i have no idea where i went wrong
im thinking perhaps they changed the toner in the copiers at uni

so dissapointing, it was about 15 pcbs too
grr
on the bright side at least it is only the ink transfer and not the final etch

i wish pnp blue grew on trees

perhaps we should do a electro-music group bulk buy on pnp