Home     Contact     Forum     Projects     Experiments     Circuits     Theory     BLOG     PIC Tutorials     Time for Science     RSS     Terms of services     Privacy policy  
   
 Home     Forum     Projects     Experiments     Circuits     Theory     BLOG     PIC Tutorials     Time for Science   

« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Etching Question  (Read 7337 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

bravodog

  • Guest
Etching Question
« on: May 26, 2009, 05:17:59 AM »
Hi all Noob here again with an etching question:

I have been studying online tutorials about DIY etching with a home ink jet and etching solution.  The question I have is I know it is good to agitate the etching solution during the process.  Im thinking in theory that I could use and ultra sonic cleaner machine with a plastic insert tub to do a better agitating process and possibly speed up the process of etching.  Do you think this would work???
Logged

kam

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1849
Re: Etching Question
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2009, 15:42:53 PM »
Hard to answer without test.

Ultrasonic cleaners works way higher than the agitation process that etching fluids require. The agitation in etching is "required" for the old copper that has been already removed from the enchant, to leave the surface of the board so that the process would go faster.

There is actually no need of ultra sonic as the reason of agitation is simpler than the affect of u/s. I believe that even if it works, it would be too much for this.

Hand agitation by softly moving the bowl up-down from one side is far enough.
I use air pump agitation. I have an air pump blowing air at the bottom of the bowl. The bowl is tall and thin, and the boards are hanged from the top side. The bubbles from the air comming out of a long hose with small holes, creates an agitation so efficient, that with 45 degrees of solution temperature i can complete the process in no-time... I strongly recommend this to you also.
Logged

bravodog

  • Guest
Re: Etching Question
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2009, 03:01:08 AM »
Thanks for the reply Kam ;)  It was just an idea I had bouncing around in my head and was wondering if any one here may have tried it.
Logged

kam

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1849
Re: Etching Question
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2009, 15:21:26 PM »
no sorry, not me.
Logged

bravodog

  • Guest
Re: Etching Question
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2009, 04:59:17 AM »
Well when I go to make my first board I will try this to see if it does work any better than normal.  I will try to be good and do 2 boards, 1 conventional and the other with the ultra sonic method and put them against each other.
Logged

kam

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1849
Re: Etching Question
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2009, 15:15:10 PM »
Quote from: bravodog on May 28, 2009, 04:59:17 AM
Well when I go to make my first board I will try this to see if it does work any better than normal.  I will try to be good and do 2 boards, 1 conventional and the other with the ultra sonic method and put them against each other.
......and post the results i suppose ;) :D
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »