PCB with laser?

Bambu Lab H2D
1

Have you tried to make a PCB using the 10 or 40w laser accessory?
If yes, can you share your experience, and maybe a video?
Thank you,

2

The laser version dosent ship for another couple weeks sadly

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3

Hmm this will be something to try when they finally ship…

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4

Copper reflects blue diode, if that’s what you’re expecting. However, you can do the spray-paint and ablate the negative then etch. That technique works as low as 4W. There are tonnes of YT videos using any run-of-the-mill blue diode for that.

edit: tossing an example of which https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsmQXUo_Wf4

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5

Hey guys,

So I’m contemplating if I should buy the 10 W or 40 W laser since I want to try to cut my own PCBs, has anybody tried it with the printer yet or has any insight in general

Looking forward to your suggestions :blush::wave:t2:

6

Sadly the laser version has not shipped yet but we will for sure to try this when everyone’s does

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7

You mean like painting, engraving, etching and manually drilling? Or actually lasering the copper away? For the first one the 10W should be enough, for the second one I’m not sure if that is even possible with a diode?

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8

Nahh I actually meant like engraving it….

But well then I guess I’ll just have to wait till other people have tried
Thanks :blush:

9

I saw this video yesterday and it really made me think about printing PCBs on the desktop. He is using an XTool F1 Ultra but I was wondering if the H2D could do it as well.

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10

“Xtool sent this laser to me for free but this video is not sponsored.”
:thinking:

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I love when they say that. Like all the h2d reviews. “Im not sponsored but Bambu gave me 10 grand in free tech.” and “dont forget the affiliate link below”

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12

I’m not sure how well it would cut, since I mill my PCBs on the Carvera Air. I use the low-power 5W laser to etch the silkscreen onto the PCB, but copper removal is done mechanically using milling bits.

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13

The important thing here is: He is using the Fiber-Laser of the F1 Ultra, not the Blue Diode.
For such lasers you can go the inverted way as already mentionend.

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14

A blue diode laser won’t do anything to copper except make it hotter.

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15

If you really want to do it.

" While it’s theoretically possible to cut through copper on a PCB with a blue diode laser, it’s not recommended for cutting through the FR4 board material. Diode lasers, especially low-power ones, are more effective at etching resist or removing paint from the PCB to expose the copper traces for etching, rather than cutting through the copper layer.

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Here’s a more detailed explanation:

  1. Diode Lasers and Copper:
  • Blue diode lasers have a wavelength around 440-450 nm, which is in the visible light spectrum.
  • This wavelength is not as well-absorbed by copper as other laser types, such as fiber lasers with wavelengths around 1 ÎĽm.
  • Therefore, a diode laser might not have enough power or energy to effectively cut through copper, even if it can remove the resist or burn off paint.
  1. Cutting FR4 (Board Material):
  • FR4 (fiberglass reinforced epoxy) is the material used for most PCB boards.
  • It’s not easily cut by diode lasers.
  • The epoxy in FR4 can release toxic fumes and even catch fire when exposed to the laser, and the fiberglass is also difficult to cut.
  • It’s generally recommended to use a small CNC mill or a hacksaw for cutting FR4.
  1. Alternative Uses of Diode Lasers:
  • Diode lasers are more suitable for removing a pre-applied surface layer of etch resist on the copper traces.
  • They can also be used to burn off paint on the PCB to expose the copper traces for etching.
  • After exposing the copper, you can then etch the board chemically and potentially drill holes to complete the PCB."
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They’re using the 20W IR/Fiber laser on the X1 Ultra. So, no until we get our own IR module. Even then, trying to raster off the layers of copper using a corexy sounds like one of the Levels of Hell.