this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2024
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PCB solder mask making using UV resin (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 5 months ago by Rolive@discuss.tchncs.de to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de
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It appears to me that UV resin, used for SLA printers should be quite convenient for making PCBs with a laser etcher. You can spread a thin layer of resin on the board and quickly expose it using a laser engraver. It should be most convenient for silkscreen layers that are otherwise difficult to apply.

I think the common method of applying UV mask and spreading it using a piece of plastic sheet is messy and I can never guess how much resin to apply. It's always too much or too little and it's always unevenly spread. And then the UV light exposure is another guessing game.

I have a 500mw 405nm laser module attached to my 3D printer and could easily 'print' some PCB layouts on a thin layer of SLA resin.

Does anyone have experience with this?

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[–] Rolive@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Tooting my own horn. I have something to add. With the UV "Mechanic" solder mask that gets sold on Chinese webshops pre-heating the solder mask makes a HUGE difference. Apparently it contains some volatile components that interfere with the curing process.

Heating it to about 80-ish C for a few minutes and optionally letting it cool down causes the laser to almost instantly cure the mask. Any non-exposed mask will be easily washed off with some IPA.