On 14.06.2017 17:27, Jon Elson via cctalk wrote:
Silkscreen is actually pretty low-tech. Anybody can do it in their
basement.
This is pure theory :-)
Doing "some silkscreen" is pretty easy, yes. You don't need too much for it.
(I made a large volume of low-density circuit boards a long
time ago using silk-screen resist for etching.)
Low density... You've nailed it!
Maybe your silkscreen provider would be willing to make your master
artwork, or even process the whole silkscreen and give it to you,
That is the labour intensive part.
To do it correctly by yourself, you need a phototypesetter (or, if you a
heretic, a special (!) inkjet printer that prints on film),
a vaccuum exposure unit and some silkscreen tools.
You would need to make up a printing frame. This is quite simple, a
piece of plywood with some registration pins and a couple hinges. There
are special hinge/clamp pieces that are made for silkscreen frames.
Then, you need the inks and squeegees, all pretty standard items.
Ha ha!
Building your own frame is simply outdated. You never manage to
correctly mount the tissue without special gear. It's not expensive to
buy industry standard ready to use frames.
Think of some drinking glasses
with logos on them. (Now, I know those are fired onto the glass, so
even more durable.) I have doubts some kind of ink that could be
printed by a print head could be that durable.
If you want to print good panels, you need the right inks. Those are not
cheap, often 2 component, always solvent based. Then you need a printing
table with precision adjustment. Good luck in the basement!
Doing a multi colour silkscreen front panel is usually beyond what you
do in a basement. It can be done only if you are really into it.
Between low density PCBs and a properly printed pdp8 front panel...
WORLDS!!!
:-)
