Difference between revisions of "PCB Printer"

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Successful completion of level 1 training will grant access to:
 
Successful completion of level 1 training will grant access to:
 
* Using the Voltera to create single-sided boards with NO vias or holes.
 
* Using the Voltera to create single-sided boards with NO vias or holes.
 +
  
 
# Clamping the substrate.
 
# Clamping the substrate.

Revision as of 11:19, 25 October 2018

Voltera Icon
The Voltera V-One PCB Printer

The Voltera V-One brings quick turn PCBs to your desktop. Import your gerber file into the Voltera software, press print, and the V-One will bring your board to life. Use the solder paste dispensing and reflow features to mount components onto your printed board, or mount components on a pre-fabricated board with ease. [1]

The current Ace of this area/machine is Jake Whipple.

Documentation

Current Inks and paste

Training

Level 1

Successful completion of level 1 training will grant access to:

  • Using the Voltera to create single-sided boards with NO vias or holes.


  1. Clamping the substrate.
    1. Acquire a 1.5" by 2" blank board. They are located in the one of the drawers.
    2. Slide the board underneath the clamps on the Voltera, push the clamps towards each other, and finger-tighten the thumb screws.
  2. Software setup.
    1. Power on the Voltera.
    2. Select "Print" and then "Simple."
    3. Select the proper ink. Reference the "Current Inks and Pastes" for information on the what the PCB lab is currently stocked with.
    4. Load the ink file. This is the Top Layer Gerber file. Download it here.
    5. Click "Next."
  3. Cleaning the sensors.
    1. Take a cue tip and dip it into the isopropyl alcohol. The cue tip should be moist, but NOT soaked. Dab the cue tip on a paper towel to dry it slightly.
    2. Clean the calibration switches by rubbing them with the cue tip.
  4. Mounting the probe.

Level 2

CHANGE this: After completing the Hello World tutorial, you can proceed with making double-sided boards. Voltera has a tutorial called "Punk Console" which walks through creating your own double-sided board. It also shows how to use the V-One drill to make vias and component through-holes.

Terminology

There are a lot of particular names given to Voltera's equipment. It is important to know what is what, especially when trying to explain troubleshooting issues. Here are the items you should familiarize yourself with:


(Add pictures later) Probe Dispenser and sheath Cartridge Conductive ink Nozzle

Substrate Sacrificial layer

Usage

The Perfect Print

Two main factors affect the quality of your print.

Flow rate

Print height

Priming Conductors

Ideally, you should never have to prime the conductors. After a conductor has been primed correctly and used in the Voltera, it "closes" the dispenser. When done, you should be able to pull it off the mount and put the --- back in the fridge.

However, this is not always the case. If a student

Changing a Cartridge

  1. Remove the nozzle CAREFULLY
  2. Dissamble sheath by twisting green part clockwise
  3. Remove dispenser
  4. clean dispenser
  5. press downwards on the sheath to loose the cartridge
  6. remove the cartridge
  7. proceed to chuck the cartridge in the nearest garbage can
  8. wind the dispenser clockwise until it cant clockwise anymore
  9. acquire new cartridge
  10. remove top and bottom green caps SAVE THEM
  11. insert the cartidge with the label facing the back, in other words, the label should not be viewable through the window on the sheath
  12. insert the dispenser and lock it in by twisting the green part counter clockwise
  13. carefully REPLACE NOZZLE, use fingers first and then pliers!44







  1. Description taken from Elektor.