Thoughts on Voltera?

[Ian]

I've obviously been looking at too many CNC machine videos, as now when I visit YouTube I get lots of ads for a PCB printer called Voltera. I generally skip past ads quite quickly, but this one caught my eye - as it looks like an interesting way to prototype PCBs.

Here's a link to the site, which has a video on how it works: http://www.voltera.io

I'm a sucker for gadgets, so I like the "idea" of how this works - but it seems pretty expensive for what it does. Especially given how cheap PCB manufacture can sometimes be (although not anywhere near as instant). I imagine it may appeal to industry at this price though.

Have any of you tried something like this? I'm not considering getting one, but I thought it was neat .

I've been considering making a very cheap and small CNC router to make single layer PCBs from copper faced board, as that should be do-able for ~£150 .

 

[Harald Kapp]

I imagine it may appeal to industry at this price though.

Some boards do use more than 2 layers, though.

I've been considering making a very cheap and small CNC router to make single layer PCBs from copper faced board, as that should be do-able

Not only doable, it's commercially available. The issue with these methods is that you have no trough hole plating with copper. You need to solder bot sides of a through hole component and you need to use short strands of wire to make vias. I think that's perfectly o.k. for a one of a kind board for a hobbyist, but not for commercial purposes.

 

[BobK]

I have been looking at this. It sounds pretty good to me. There are so many boards I haven't made because it is just too much effort, and I have never achieved better than about 75% success rate with any of the methods I have used The thought of having one tool that makes the board and does the reflow soldering is quite appealing. If it were half the price ($2000) I might have already bought it.

Bob

 

[Ian]

Some boards do use more than 2 layers, though.
Not only doable, it's commercially available. The issue with these methods is that you have no trough hole plating with copper. You need to solder bot sides of a through hole component and you need to use short strands of wire to make vias. I think that's perfectly o.k. for a one of a kind board for a hobbyist, but not for commercial purposes.

Yep, I can't seem them getting any more than 2 layers without some crazy sandwiching technique, but 2 layers is probably good enough for prototyping most basic things. I wonder how reliable they are, as I've found limited reviews online.

I found these nice little copper rivets that people have been using as vias, which look like they'd be a good option to manually drop in to place before reflowing the first side. I've never used them though, but may buy a small bag to test out.

I have been looking at this. It sounds pretty good to me. There are so many boards I haven't made because it is just too much effort, and I have never achieved better than about 75% success rate with any of the methods I have used The thought of having one tool that makes the board and does the reflow soldering is quite appealing. If it were half the price ($2000) I might have already bought it.

The initial kickstarter was selling them for $1,199, so someone got a good deal . I was surprised to find that the base package doesn't include a drill tool, I would have thought that would be an essential part.

 

[Arouse1973]

I came across these guys and I have used the equipment. It's not as good looking as the one Ian mentioned but it does a good job. https://cirqoid.com/

Thanks
Adam

 

[Hopup]

I wonder how long do the drill parts last for PCB use generally?

 

[Arouse1973]

Quite a while. But they are not that expensive.

 

[(*steve*)]

I like the cirqoid

The pick and place looks a bit micky mouse, and I'd probably investigate using the device to make a solder stencil rather than lay down paste pad by pad like that.

It's still a pretty expensive tool though.

But I want one!

 

[Ian]

I came across these guys and I have used the equipment. It's not as good looking as the one Ian mentioned but it does a good job. https://cirqoid.com/

Thanks
Adam

That's a better price and it even does pick and place . Wonderful .