chunyang

Another method that comes to mind is a small-batch production method that is simpler than inkjet printing and can be made in true color, namely, thermal transfer.

PCB is made in the usual way, but the surface is required to be flat enough, the tinning process needs special attention, and the appropriate solder mask needs to be selected to prevent the transfer layer from sticking. After the PCB is made, the photo is output by a thermal transfer printer, and then pressed onto the PCB for thermal transfer. The whole process is like making a photo cup. Finally, a protective layer is sprayed under the cover of the solder mask mold.

This method is suitable for any image, but the cost is relatively high. It is suitable for personalized DIY and can only be welded manually.

okhxyyo

chunyang posted on 2021-7-9 20:30 For small batches, you can consider printing, but printing is more troublesome. You need to make a masking template for each color, and it is difficult to handle fine parts. For large batches, follow the conventional method...

The cost of such a picture with many colors would be very high.

freebsder

It's quite interesting. The first time I saw such a fancy PCB was on a Japanese board, most of which were two-dimensional.

chunyang

okhxyyo posted on 2021-7-9 21:33 If the picture has many colors, the cost will be very high.

If you only make one or two boards, you will buy a thermal transfer printer and transfer consumables, which is of course very expensive, but the actual cost can actually be compared with that of a photo mug. An ordinary mug costs a few dollars, and a photo transfer mug costs more than ten dollars, as far as I remember. Transferring to a PCB should not be more expensive than transferring to a mug.

If you don't have a thermal transfer printer, you can find one that makes photo mugs online. All you need is a printed transfer film, some protective agent, and check the transfer process and precautions online.

chunyang

okhxyyo posted on 2021-7-9 21:33 If the picture has many colors, the cost will be very high.

In a PCB factory, the cost of multi-color silk screen printing will not increase much. After all, there will not be too many colors. You have to talk about it to know the details. It is estimated that it will cost a separate silk screen mold fee and a little additional labor cost.

nllwlw

Is it realistic to use CAD to import pictures into the board factory for processing?

se7ens

My understanding is that the color printing ink is onto the PCB

okhxyyo

chunyang posted on 2021-7-11 22:57 In a PCB factory, the cost of multi-color silk screen printing will not increase much, after all, there will not be too many colors. We have to talk about it in detail to know, it is estimated that it will be paid separately...

That's it. Learn more by following along.

chunyang

nllwlw posted on 2021-7-12 09:30 Is it realistic to use CAD to import pictures into the board factory for processing?

There are many ways to import pictures, including CAD. But whether it can be done is another matter, which requires consideration of the specific process.

chunyang

se7ens posted on 2021-7-12 10:37 My understanding is that color printing ink is applied to PCB

There is no colored ink in the PCB industry, and it is not printed.

nllwlw

chunyang posted on 2021-7-12 14:24 There are many ways to import pictures, including CAD. But whether it can be done is another matter, and the specific process needs to be considered.

But it looks like a white silk-screen layer, and then the baffle is added after the patch and spray-painted.

chunyang

nllwlw posted on 2021-7-12 14:47 But it looks like a white silk screen layer, and then the baffle is added after the patch and painted.

If you spray after patching, the edge of the line can't be kept straight. If you want to use the spray painting method, it is theoretically feasible, as mentioned in the previous post, but it needs to be done before patching. But ordinary pigments are not heat-resistant, so they can only be welded manually in the later stage. Only by spraying with heat-resistant pigments can machine welding be done. However, it seems that the most likely possibility is not spray painting, but printing, and the pigment used is solder mask ink.

专业PCB

ljj3166 posted on 2021-7-9 14:26 I think it's a bit like

After the circuit board is finished, the second printing

专业PCB

chunyang published on 2021-7-9 20:30 Small batches can be considered for printing, but printing is more troublesome. Each color needs to make a masking template, and it is difficult to handle fine areas. For large batches, follow the conventional...

This is unrealistic. The cost will be doubled.

chunyang

Professional PCB published on 2021-8-10 16:52 This is unrealistic, the cost will be doubled

That depends on what it is used for. There is no such thing as "wanting a horse to run fast but not eat grass"...

法式小面包

This silk screen is then thermally sublimated, and the components are reflowed after printing. Only small batches are available, and the cost is not low

xiaobingma

Very beautiful, can I ask the manufacturer how to make it?

binibear

Now it is very convenient to make colored PCBs, which opens up a colorful world.