🚀 go-pugleaf

	Ok I'll Take a shot here.  I put something on the net a while
back, but I, with my lack of net posting ability, screwed it up.  So,
I'll try again.  
	I'll start out by saying that I have only produced about sixty
boards in my time ranging in size from 2"X2" to 15"X21".  I will also
say that I have made all of these boards in make shift labs that I
could set up on very limited budget's.  Anyway here goes.

	I don't like most the application methods for P.C. board
etching.  I have found that when making two-sided boards it is rather
hard to do all the lining up when using the pens, stupid sticky tape,
iron on things, and this last method of toner transfer. I ahve only
ever had good results with screen printing transfers and that is a
real pain!
 I have had my best results using pmt's to expose photo-sensitized
boards. This is a rather simple method, although more expensive a
proposition than the transfer mehtods I have found it produces the
best results. 
	You start with pre-sensitized photosensitive board.  If you
have a very steady hand or the proper facilities you can sensitize
them yourself, but I have found the best results come from
professionally sensitized boards.  The idea here is to allow a UV wave
to either harden or break down the photosensitive material on the P.C.
board.  In this method, this is the material that protects the board
from the etchant.  In the positive method, whatever photosensitive
material is hit by the U.V. light is broken down, and washed off with
a developer.  (This is kinda like photography I've been told).  Then
the board is put into the etchant and etched like normal.  You really
can't see the protective material, but its there and it really works
well.  The negative process is the exact oposite in the way the
material is removed.  Only the areas that are hit by the U.V. harden
and the rest of it stays soft.  Then developer therefor, takes off the
unhardened material and the etching goes on like normal.  I have used
both of these methods also and can find advantages to both.  If you do
not want to spend a little cash on PMT's to expose boards, almost
necessary for negative process, and  have a plotter that has
transpearancy pens, then the positive method may be the way to go.  
	I have given my opinion here and hope that others will pitch
in on the discussion.  If anyone out there would like to discuss this
issue with me please respond to my e-mail address pagorm@iastate.edu.
Either questions or responses are very welcome.

					See ya around,
					Paul Gormley
					[@:{)