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Re: 3D printers for small run boards

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Jon Kirwan wrote:

> On Sat, 31 Aug 2013 07:38:25 -0400, Walter Banks
> <walter@bytecraft.com> wrote:
>
> >I have had a couple conversations in the last month about the future
> >of 3D printers.
> >
> >One potential application that has come up is the ability to create
> >prototype (or small run ) circuit boards. The possibilities are lots
> >of layers, layers of varying thickness, cooling tubes and potential
> >when combined with a pick and place robot for embedded
> >components, processors.
> >
> >Is anyone providing this type of printer yet within the price range
> >of small to medium sized companies?
> >
> >w..
>
> Hi, Walter. I have a 3D printer here and some conductive
> plastic for it, as well (about 100 ohms per cm, if I recall.)
> I usually print at 0.22mm layer thicknesses, but could go
> .15mm or less perhaps. Or more. The nozzle is 0.4mm for
> extrusion. But while I can easily do conductive layers like
> this, you are talking 10k to 100k ohm ranges for anything
> reasonable. So it's not really useful for anything but high
> impedances. I've been playing a little with it for touch
> sensors and the like. There probably is more conductive
> plastic available. But I just don't have any right now and
> honestly have no idea if much more conductive is even
> possible in the system I have here.
>
> Laying down conductive wire itself would also be possible and
> that could be buried into the plastic. I'd probably want a
> 2nd head just for the wire itself and I'd need a way to snip
> it. Could just be bare wires and those can be buried in hot
> plastic, easily.
>
> Placing parts? I honestly haven't seen a pick and place robot
> running before, but it must be very precise so that's good.

Pick and place robots that are quite precise are available
for small automated manufacturing machines. It has been a while
but 20 years ago they were probably good to 0.1 mm or so.
Board manufacturing accuracy is essential a 2D problem.

w..

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3D printers for small run boards Walter Banks <walter@bytecraft.com> - 2013-08-31 07:38 -0400
  Re: 3D printers for small run boards bbhack <bbhack@gmail.com> - 2013-08-31 13:19 -0500
    Re: 3D printers for small run boards Walter Banks <walter@bytecraft.com> - 2013-09-01 04:46 -0400
      Re: 3D printers for small run boards bbhack <bbhack@gmail.com> - 2013-09-01 11:26 -0500
        Re: 3D printers for small run boards Theo Markettos <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2013-09-04 16:39 +0100
          Re: 3D printers for small run boards bbhack <bbhack@gmail.com> - 2013-09-04 14:06 -0500
  Re: 3D printers for small run boards Jon Kirwan <jonk@infinitefactors.org> - 2013-08-31 21:39 -0700
    Re: 3D printers for small run boards Jon Kirwan <jonk@infinitefactors.org> - 2013-08-31 21:41 -0700
    Re: 3D printers for small run boards Walter Banks <walter@bytecraft.com> - 2013-09-01 04:51 -0400

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