Fiber Laser Engraving Solder Mask and Silkscreen on DIY PCBs
A fiber laser can be incorporated in the final phase of making beautiful high gloss circuit boards at home.
This a three step process which involves:
- apply resin
- engrave the silkscreen
- engrave the pads
** Click Image to Watch **
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Lasts Longer - It will not be exposed to nearly as much oxidation or at risk from accidental trace scratches.
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Stronger - Single sided FR1 boards are typically 1.5mm thick. They can be snapped with your bare hands.
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Assembly - Stuffing is easier with orientation, component labels and reduced risk of bridging between pads with the solder mask in place.
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Kind of professional - A raw board looks like cool, but not nearly as good as one with the silkscreen + mask layers.
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Quick - It doesn't take that long. Once you get the process down you can complete the silkscreen + mask layers in less than 20 minutes.
| Product | Vendor | Price |
|---|---|---|
| xTool F1 Ultra 20W Fiber | Amazon | $4,200 |
| 10W UV Light | Amazon | $15 |
| UV Soldermask | Amazon | $11 |
| Transparency Film | Amazon | $13 |
| Gloves Anti-Static | Amazon | $18 |
Special thanks to this excellent project for silk / mask settings I'm using and the 3D printed jig.