Path: csiph.com!v102.xanadu-bbs.net!xanadu-bbs.net!feeder.erje.net!eu.feeder.erje.net!news.stack.nl!aioe.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail From: Walter Banks Newsgroups: comp.arch.embedded Subject: Re: 3D printers for small run boards Date: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 04:51:39 -0400 Organization: Aioe.org NNTP Server Lines: 51 Message-ID: <5223001B.DA3303F7@bytecraft.com> References: <5221D5B1.E7869DCC@bytecraft.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: v0vtdFdrWA2kjKLtfB7H7A.user.speranza.aioe.org Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Complaints-To: abuse@aioe.org X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.79 [en]C-CCK-MCD NSCPCD479 (Windows NT 5.0; U) X-Accept-Language: en X-Notice: Filtered by postfilter v. 0.8.2 Xref: csiph.com comp.arch.embedded:13288 Jon Kirwan wrote: > On Sat, 31 Aug 2013 07:38:25 -0400, Walter Banks > 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..