Potential Modification to Become Print Processor

[Steve Smith]

I have just retrieved from the discarded junk at work a double section etch tank intended for small scale manufacture of PCBs using ferric chloride.

I intend to try it out as a print processor with developer in one section and fix in the other.

Each section has a heater and thermostat and (I'm not sure how useful this is) a bubble feature.

In the middle is a third section which can run clean cold water over the print via spray bars and out via a drain.

The lids also have a mesh holder which I think will easily hold 10 x 8 paper.

It just needs some serious cleaning now!


Steve

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

If the device works it may be a better idea to sell it on ebay and buy something made for print processing.

It is made for etching copper with bubbling hot ferric chloride. My guess is the heaters won't work well without the air supply because there is no circulating pump and the quality of the air-agitation isn't going to be up to photographic standards. The temperature regulating range on the heaters may not go low enough for photographic processing. Cleaning it is going to be a real PITA.

OTOH, I have never tried using an etching tank for paper development, and it may work a charm.

 

[Steve Smith]

Temperature range is 10c to 60c. The air bubbles do not have to be on.

I last used this for its intended purpose about ten years ago.

I have nothing to lose by trying it. Except perhaps some time and some sheets of paper!


Steve.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Temperature range is 10c to 60c. The air bubbles do not have to be on.

Sounds a lot nicer than anything I have seen on this side of the pond. Go to it! Though if I had one I would use it for circuit boards...

Looked up the web site: http://www.megauk.com/pcb_processing_tanks.php, nice stuff.

And, looked up the US distributor, and it is a company I have been looking for for quite a while, they bought out the DynaMark labeling system from 3M.

Thanks...

 

[Steve Smith]

Though if I had one I would use it for circuit boards....

I don't do circuit boards any more. The only electronic equipment I make now is valve/tube based using chassis and tagstrip!


Steve.