Circuit etching with laser on reprap mendel

[rossbagley]

Vaporized copper fumes == extraordinarily toxic. I love this, but unless there's a vac running that can handle metal fumes (falling water scrubbing) this is a very risky proposition.

[MorwenReonarudo]

@rossbagley This does not etch the copper! it Etches the paint so it can be used as a mask once you put the board into the acid. The only danger here is the laser itself, if you try this please use proper laser safety glasses.

[rossbagley]

@MorwenReonarudo Thanks for clarifying. That makes more sense and makes me significantly happier about your health!

[InfraStricture]

Fap fapfap to that new PCB

[zzzzbest]

If you move the laser up close to the workpeice, wouldn't that be much more effective than doing it so far away?

[MorwenReonarudo]

@zzzzbest It was easier to control the focus point at that distance and didn't get the fumes on the lens.

[ehsanpro]

What type of laser did you use? Where can I buy it?

[MorwenReonarudo]

@ehsanpro Its a 1w blue laser please check the blog for more details.

[glennlopez]

thats pretty awesome! what is that laser called and where can i buy it.

[MorwenReonarudo]

@glennlopez This is a 445nm 1W laser diode and can be easly fond on eBay

[AdamBailey9]

So does this mean the reprap can now produce its own PCBs?

[MorwenReonarudo]

@AdamBailey9 It always could if you attached a sharpy pen to it for example, but it is still limited to precision so smd ics won't work out, at least with this Mendel. I'm trying to get over this problem. The software I'm using is cad.py to generate the GCode. You can check the details on my blog.

[GeoDroidJohn]

Where did you get the laser?

[MorwenReonarudo]

@GeoDroidJohn They are easily found on eBay.