Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Etching

A single-function tank for PCB etching where washing and developing (if needed) can safely be dealt with manually. The tank is thermostatically controlled and air-agitated for optimum effect, and the process is controlled via a splash-proof front control panel with neon indicators. The inner tank is a heavy duty one-piece moulding, so leaks are eliminated and any risk from harmful chemicals is minimised. Boards are simply loaded into a mesh basket and processed at a time and temperature to suit the chemical being used.

This convenient desk-top unit combines Develop, Wash and Etch facilities to produce solder-ready PCBs following UV exposure. The Develop and Etch tanks are thermostatically controlled and air-agitated for optimum effect. Each process is controlled via the splash-proof front control panel. Boards are simply loaded into a mesh basket and moved in the sequence: Develop > Spray Wash > Etch > Spray Wash. Each tank is a heavy duty one-piece moulding so leaks are eliminated and any risk from harmful chemicals is minimised. The unit has facilities at the rear for standard cold-water and drain connections.

These five-tank processing units bring all the necessary processing steps together into a single free-standing unit. The one-piece top includes a moulded sink with hot and cold supply. The three processing tanks are each separated by Spray Wash so a typical sequence would be Develop > Spray Wash > Etch > Spray Wash > Tinning. The third tank could be used for Resist Strip instead, but this is easiest done in the sink using a SN120 strip applicator. Two Labstation sizes are available and both can be purchased with a starter pack which gives a 25% saving on initial chemical costs.

Rota-Spray uses the same chemistry as bubble-etch tanks, but sprays heated etchant onto the copper at high pressure, which results in fully etched PCBs in 90 seconds or less. A spray wash chamber is sited alongside so production is a clean and rapid process. In addition, the Rota-Spray Plus model has an unheated Develop chamber to enable an efficient Develop > Wash > Etch cycle in one unit. The chamber sides are clear so the process can be closely monitored at all stages reducing the chance to over-develop or over-etch. The drop-in PCB holder can support multiple boards of different sizes and is fully washed between each chamber - so eliminating cross-contamination of chemicals.