Laminator for PCB's ?

[Sadlercomfort]

I have a GBC HeatSeal H312 which I got for cheap on ebay and the only mod I eventually made to it was to cut a part of the housing out to get better access to the rollers when making small boards.

This model seems fairly common! Might end up going for this

 

[(*steve*)]

Here's some pictures of my colleague's mk:2 laminator. This one handles board up to 300mm x 300mm.

 

[Bluejets]

Well done.
Any further info on the unit?
Sorry but have to ...someone will....what's with the single insulation on the mains flex?

 

[(*steve*)]

what's with the single insulation on the mains flex?

It's a cable specially modified to allow a clamp-on meter to be conveniently used to measure current.

You mean you don't have one of these?

 

[Sadlercomfort]

That's an impressive piece of equipment!

 

[Bluejets]

It's a cable specially modified to allow a clamp-on meter to be conveniently used to measure current.

You mean you don't have one of these?

Actually I do but rarely admit it. Have to keep it hidden from the safety mob. They seem to have little knowledge of "required special tools"

 

[Sadlercomfort]

The GBC HeatSeal H312 laminator arrived!

Heats up very hot even on mid setting, so I don't think I'll have a problem heating the dry film.

The PCB got stuck at first, so I opened up the Laminator and found two springs pulling down the top roller on either side.. loosened these and now it takes the PCB perfectly.

Will show some results soon. Thanks Canobi

 

[Bluejets]

Here's some pictures of my colleague's mk:2 laminator. This one handles board up to 300mm x 300mm.

View attachment 27684 View attachment 27685 View attachment 27686 View attachment 27687 View attachment 27688

Wondering if there were any further details on the build/ component supplier for this machine?

 

[(*steve*)]

Other than the actual heated rollers (which came from a commercial laminator) the entire thing is pretty much hand built.

 

[Bluejets]

Yes, the rollers were my main interest.
Familiar with building machines. Below is link to just one.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/i-c-engines/30633-cam-grinder.html

 

[(*steve*)]

I've just received an email from my colleague doing work on laminating PCBs.

He says "get a Genius GNS-320N, it will save you heaps of time and effort."

 

[Bluejets]

No idea what that is.
Even Google drew a blank.

 

[(*steve*)]

Its old, and built like a brick outhouse. You'd need to get one second hand.

Its also A3 size (not that this is important).

 

[Canobi]

The GBC HeatSeal H312 laminator arrived!

Heats up very hot even on mid setting, so I don't think I'll have a problem heating the dry film.

The PCB got stuck at first, so I opened up the Laminator and found two springs pulling down the top roller on either side.. loosened these and now it takes the PCB perfectly.

Will show some results soon. Thanks Canobi

One tip is to warm the boards up a bit prior to tranfer as I find it gives better results.

 

[Bluejets]

A new approach I came across yesterday "cold toner transfer" . Uses a combination (8:3) isopropyl alcohol/ acetone to chemically melt the toner to the copper....looks ok idea....worth a try I thought... On utube somewhere

 

[ProtofabTT]

Sorry to wake up an old thread but have a look at my PCB manufacturing projects (toner transfer and foil transfer (incl. silk screening) for full details/disclosure.
https://hackaday.io/project/7938-pcb-smt-maker-lab-home
https://hackaday.io/project/3363-apache-al13p-tl-320b-one-pass-pcb-toner-xfer

My open sourced laminator mod is available as a DIY kit as well..Ebay item # 132136993019

It's become so popular that a 3rd party has started producing laminators with the mod. just for PCB making: Ebay # 232310781501.

I have no affiliation with the full laminator build item, the DIY kit is mine.