Changes

Using the Voltera to create single-sided boards with NO vias or holes.[[File:voltera_blinky_500.jpg|300x300px|thumb|right|Training board - The Blinky 500]]

Using the Voltera to create single-sided boards with NO vias or holes.[[File:voltera_blinky_500.jpg|300x300px|thumb|right|Training board - The Blinky 500]]

* ''Ready the Ink''

# Ready the Ink

*# Reference the [[#Current Inks and Paste|Current Inks and Paste]] for information on the what the PCB lab is currently stocked with.

*# Grab the correct conductive ink from the fridge. It is labeled with a '''green''' sticker.

## Reference the [[#Current Inks and Paste|Current Inks and Paste]] for information on the what the PCB lab is currently stocked with.

*# Set the conductive ink on the table, allowing to begin to warm to room temperature. <br /><br />

## Grab the correct conductive ink from the fridge, and let it warm up to room temperature, about 15-30 minutes. It is labeled with a '''green''' sticker.  

# Software Setup

## Download the files for this project [[Media:pcb_printer_level_1.zip|here]].

*# Power on the Voltera.

## Power on the Voltera.

*# Open the Voltera Windows application.

## Open the Voltera Windows application.

*# Select "Print" and then "Simple."

## Select "Print" and then "Simple." "Print" indicates that we want to print traces, and "Simple" indicates that the board is not pre-fabricated. If we had a pre-fabricated board, we would instead select "Aligned" so we can align the holes.

*# Add the proper conductive ink. This is the same conductive ink you acquired in step 1.3.

## Next we need to add the proper conductive ink, which is the same conductive ink you acquired in step 1.2.

*# Load the ink file from the project files. This is the Top Layer Gerber file.  

## Load the ink file from the project files. This is the Top Layer Gerber file.  

*# Click "Next." <br /><br />

# Cleaning the Sensors

* ''Cleaning the Sensors''

## 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.  

*# 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.

## Clean the calibration switches by rubbing them with the cue tip.This will help clear out any crap that could hurt the sensor. [[File:Voltera cleaning.jpg|border|none|300x300px|Cleaning the calibration switches]]  

*# Clean the calibration switches by rubbing them with the cue tip. [[File:Voltera cleaning.jpg|border|none|300x300px|Cleaning the calibration switches]] <br />

# Clamping the Substrate

*# Click "Next." <br /><br />

## Acquire a 1.5" by 2" blank board. They are located in the one of the drawers.

* ''Clamping the Substrate''

## Slide the board underneath the clamps on the Voltera, push the clamps towards each other, and finger-tighten the thumb screws. You should not be able to move the board once you clamp them down. [[File:Voltera clamping.jpg|border|none|300x300px]]  

*# Acquire a 1.5" by 2" blank board. They are located in the one of the drawers.

# Mounting the Probe

*# Slide the board underneath the clamps on the Voltera, push the clamps towards each other, and finger-tighten the thumb screws. [[File:Voltera clamping.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## Pull the probe from one of the drawers. The probe should have a large metal tip, do not confuse it with the dispenser. [[File:Voltera drawer.jpg|border|none|300x300px]]  

*# Click "Next."  <br /><br />

## Remove the cap and place it near the Voltera.

## Mount the probe onto the magnetic gantry. It should snap into place and the contacts should align. [[File:Voltera mount_probe.jpg|border|none|300x300px]]  

*# Pull the probe from one of the drawers. [[File:Voltera drawer.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

# Positioning and Probing

*# Remove the cap and place it near the Voltera.

## Click "Outline." This will show you where the Voltera thinks the board is. It will move the probe around the printer surface and determine how close the dispenser will need to be to the board.

*# Mount the probe onto the magnetic gantry. It should snap into place and the contacts should align. [[File:Voltera mount_probe.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## Repeat step one until the outline is centered with the board. Click and drag the circuit in the Voltera application to move the outline.  

*# Click "Next."  <br /><br />

## '''You MUST ensure the outline does not collide with the clamps AND does not exceed the dimensions of the board!''' Do NOT proceed until this is checked!

* ''Positioning and Probing''

## In the next step, Click "Probe" and wait for the Voltera to finish its measurements. [[File:Voltera probing.jpg|border|none|300x300px]]  

*# Click "Outline." This will show you where the Voltera thinks the board is. It will move the probe around the printer surface.

## Remove the probe, replace the cap, place the probe back in the drawer, and proceed.  <br /><br />

*# Repeat step one until the outline is centered with the board. Click and drag the circuit in the Voltera application to move the outline.  

# Priming the Conductor

*# '''You MUST ensure the outline does not collide with the clamps AND does not exceed the dimensions of the board!''' Do NOT proceed until this is checked!

## Ensure 15 minutes have passed before beginning the next step. The dispenser should not be cold to the touch.

*# Click "Next."

## '''Read carefully.''' The Voltera application explains this step well. Follow the on-screen instructions before moving on to the next step. Some tips/tricks/warnings: <br /><br /> - '''Nozzles are fragile!''' You would be surprised how easy it is to break one. Treat this process with care!<br /> - Hold the dispenser over a paper towel to prevent ink from getting everywhere.<br /> - If you need to wipe the nozzle, do so '''gently''' and '''use a cotton swab found in the drawers.''' <br /> - Ink should not be flowing quickly out of the dispenser when you finish priming, but '''a very small amount''' of flow is OK. <br /><br /> [[File:Voltera priming.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

*# Click "Probe" and wait for the Voltera to finish its measurements. [[File:Voltera probing.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## Mount the dispenser. [[File:Voltera mount_conductive.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

*# Click "Next."

# Calibration

*# Remove the probe, replace the cap, place the probe back in the drawer, and click "Next." <br /><br />

## Click "Advanced." Start with the '''Z at 0.10 mm''' and the '''E at 0 um'''. Adjust the Voltera to these values.

* ''Priming the Conductor''

## Click "Calibrate."

*# Ensure 15 minutes have passed before beginning the next step. The dispenser should not be cold to the touch.

## The Voltera will lay down a test print. Pay close attention to the amount and consistency of the ink. [[File:Voltera calibrate.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

*# '''Read carefully.''' The Voltera application explains this step well. Follow the on-screen instructions before moving on to the next step. Some tips/tricks/warnings: <br /><br /> - '''Nozzles are fragile!''' You would be surprised how easy it is to break one. Treat this process with care!<br /> - Hold the dispenser over a paper towel to prevent ink from getting everywhere.<br /> - If you need to wipe the nozzle, do so '''gently''' and '''use a cotton swab found in the drawers.''' <br /> - Ink should not be flowing quickly out of the dispenser when you finish priming, but '''a very small amount''' of flow is OK. <br /><br /> [[File:Voltera priming.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## The example below has slightly too much ink. Notice how a portion of the horizontal lines touch and some parts of the ink glob up. [[File:Voltera calibrate_bad.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

*# Mount the dispenser. [[File:Voltera mount_conductive.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## In this case, to make an adjustment, the ink height was set to a '''Z of 0.09 mm''' and the flow was set to an '''E of -10 um.'''  

* ''Calibration''

## '''You may need to do the same or make different adjustments. Whatever you do, do NOT run the nozzle into the board! The nozzle will break!'''

*# Click "Advanced." Start with the '''Z at 0.10 mm''' and the '''E at 0 um'''. Adjust the Voltera to these values.

## If an adjustment was made, '''wipe the board clean with a paper towel (shown below)''' and repeat step 9. [[File:Voltera calibrate_wipe.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

*# Click "Calibrate."

## The example below is a more acceptable test print. Strive for this consistency. If your board looks right, proceed. [[File:Voltera calibrate_better.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

*# The Voltera will lay down a test print. Pay close attention to the amount and consistency of the ink. [[File:Voltera calibrate.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## Click "Next."

*# The example below has slightly too much ink. Notice how a portion of the horizontal lines touch and some parts of the ink glob up. [[File:Voltera calibrate_bad.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## Wipe the board clean a final time.

*# In this case, to make an adjustment, the ink height was set to a '''Z of 0.09 mm''' and the flow was set to an '''E of -10 um.'''  

## Click "Next." <br /><br />

*# '''You may need to do the same or make different adjustments. Whatever you do, do NOT run the nozzle into the board! The nozzle will break!'''

# Top Layer Print

*# If an adjustment was made, '''wipe the board clean with a paper towel (shown below)''' and repeat step 9. [[File:Voltera calibrate_wipe.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## The Voltera will print what is selected in green. Below is an example of a portion of the board selected. Ensure the portion you want to print is selected (in this case, select everything.) Remember that blue lines will not be printed. [[File:voltera_selection.PNG|300x300px|none]] <br />

*# The example below is a more acceptable test print. Strive for this consistency. If your board looks right, proceed. [[File:Voltera calibrate_better.jpg|border|none|300x300px]] <br />

## Click "Start." Let the Voltera finish its process. If a portion of the print fails or is incorrect, you can stop mid-print, or wait until it is finished and redo that selection. Also shown below is an example of a portion of ink that globbed up. The portion was wiped and can be reprinted. [[File:voltera_printing.jpg|300x300px|none]] <br /> [[File:voltera_print_blob.jpg|300x300px|none]] <br /> [[File:voltera_print_redo.jpg|300x300px|none]] <br />

*# Click "Next."

## Remove the conductor, replace the cap, '''and return the conductive ink to the fridge!'''

*# Wipe the board clean a final time.

## When you reach the "Flip Board," you are done. Quit the Voltera application.  

*# Click "Next." <br /><br />

## Unclamp the board from the Voltera. Remember that the traces are still wet.

* ''Top Layer Print''

*# The Voltera will print what is selected in green. Below is an example of a portion of the board selected. Ensure the portion you want to print is selected (in this case, select everything.) Remember that blue lines will not be printed. [[File:voltera_selection.PNG|300x300px|none]] <br />

*# Click "Start." Let the Voltera finish its process. If a portion of the print fails or is incorrect, you can stop mid-print, or wait until it is finished and redo that selection. Also shown below is an example of a portion of ink that globbed up. The portion was wiped and can be reprinted. [[File:voltera_printing.jpg|300x300px|none]] <br /> [[File:voltera_print_blob.jpg|300x300px|none]] <br /> [[File:voltera_print_redo.jpg|300x300px|none]] <br />

*# Remove the conductor, replace the cap, '''and return the conductive ink to the fridge!'''

*# When you reach the "Flip Board," you are done. Quit the Voltera application.  

*# Unclamp the board from the Voltera. Remember that the traces are still wet.

==Safety==

==Safety==