Hello,
First off, thank you to every one of you for answering the other thread. It's given me plenty to research and perhaps over analyse.
I think I'm going to go for the ready kit put together by Rapid, this is written up below. But before I do that I'm left wondering something.. Where I have my nails done they use one of the little UV boxes. They're here on eBay;
Now what I'm wondering is. Would one of those do the job? Or more to the point, would it be cost effective to strip one down and use the parts. Thereafter ALL you need is an enclosure and some perspex. Also today it's become clear regarding 4mm glass that suppliers either only stock UV-blocking glass, or don't even know at all. No one knows what they're selling anymore or even cares!! This is the UK, it's a dump full of under achievers and everyone has a degree in Travel & Tourism or Marketing, everyone else is on state benefits.
So.. The nail box up above? :-)
Warm thanks,
Alison
The following will need to be viewed in a fixed font such as Courier to all line up;
" Sourcing a UV Exposure Box for PCB Development.
-----------------------------------------------
- Introduction
- What's For Sale?
- Ultraviolet exposure unit with timer 202E
- Ultraviolet exposure unit with timer 202E - Starter Kit
- UV tubes available on eBay
- Flight case style enclosures
- Minimum parts required
- Conclusion
- Introduction
--------------- I wish to start developing PCBs using the Photoresist and UV Development method. In the past I have used a Dalo pen and drawn everything out, using ferric cloride to etch the copper off. I would like to design more complex circuits on a PC and print to transparancies.
The immiediate requirement is to source a UV Development box. There are two options; Build One; Buy One. When considering building one the light output has to be in the range of 400nM. There is absolutely no point in approaching DIY outlets as they have haven't a clue what you're talking about (I've been out hunting today). Blacklight dark UV tubes for making your white t-shirt glow are NOT suitable.
UV LEDs have been suggested as a possibility. These would need to be of a high candle output documented to be in the region of 5000-7000mcd, these can only be economically sourced from Hong Kong. There is a documented concern that UV LEDs placed in a grid fashion will result in exposure hot spots on the resulting PCBs. The projects are documented on the net, yet there are no examples of the PCBs which have been produced. This is a natural concern despite excitement in using such devices. It would be brilliant to have a compact UV light box.
- What's For Sale?
------------------- There are very few UV boxes out there. The most basic are about £120 all in, ranging to £1000's for double sided vaccum models.
There are very many UV tubes for sale on eBay. UV LEDs are also available.
- Ultraviolet exposure unit with timer 202E
-------------------------------------------- This is sold by Rapid for £115.68 (£98.39+VAT) item number 34-0700. It is also sold by Maplin for £105.14 (inc. VAT) item number YA36P. It uses a
6-minute mechanical timer. It uses two 8W 12" (304mm) tubes, 15" maybe??. The exposure area is 240 x 165mm (9.5 x 9.5"). The overall unit dimensions are 438 x 184 x 102mm (17 x 7 x 4").- Ultraviolet exposure unit with timer 202E - Starter Kit
---------------------------------------------------------- This is available from Rapid for £129.54 (£110.25+VAT) item number 34-0690. It includes a number of accessories making a saving of about £20 if bought seperately. It is Kit B.
These accessories are;
Rapid Quantity Description Unit Sub (inc.VAT) ----- -------- ----------- ---- --- ----
-----
34-0796 (1) Artwork Drafting Pack £4.95 £4.95 (6) Assorted Sheet Transfer ----- 34-0105 (3) 100 x 160mm SS Photo PCB £2.49 £7.47 34-0115 (1) 203 x 114mm SS Photo PCB £3.49 £3.49 34-0295 (1) Polifix Block £1.95 £1.95 34-0745 (1) Polypropylene Chemical Tray ----- 34-0395 (2) Developer Crystals £0.79 £1.58 34-0385 (1) Seno GS Etching Kit £8.95 £8.95 ======== £28.39 (£33.36) ======== 34-0700 (1) UV Exposure Unit - 202E £98.39 (£115.68) ======== £126.78 (£148.97) ========A saving of some £20 is made as predicted. When offset against the standalone cost of a 202E, the above items are provided for an imaginary cost of some £10.
- UV tubes available on eBay
----------------------------- A wide range of UV tubes are available. Most are marketed for use with Fly Killer devices and for curing Acrylic Nails in beauty salons.
4W 6" (152mm) straight tubes;9W 6" (152mm) nail curing double tubes;
22W 8" (203mm) Circular tubes;
- Flight case style enclosures
------------------------------- It would be intended to fit a self build unit into a small flight case. These are relatively expensive to buy. I have a small case here which is
283 x 235 x 90 (11" x 9" x 3.5") external dimensions, it was purchased for £9.99 and contains a hobby drill. It seems that to obtain the smaller flight cases it is economically easier to buy something else and to use it's presentation case, thus discarding it's contents. Makeup boxes, hairdryers, all sorts of low priced items come in perfectly adequate aluminium flight cases.My full size budget flight case which can be bought for £11 in a local DIY store has external dimensions of; 464 x 328 x 150mm (18 x 13 x 6"). It is made as cheaply as possible yet you could not achieve that level of build yourself without significant outlay.
- Minimum parts required
------------------------- This is assuming use of a full size budget flight case, with basic ON/OFF operation;
Quantity Description Unit Sub (inc.VAT) -------- ----------- ---- --- ----
-----
(1) Flight case £11.00 £11.00 (4) 12" UV tubes £5.00 £20.00 (4) Starters £1.00 £4.00 (2) Ballasts £7.50 £15.00 (1) Rocker ON/OFF Switch £1.00 £1.00 (1) IEC 3-pin socket £2.00 £2.00 (1) 4mm Cut glass (local) £5.00 £5.00 (1) Other unknowns (fixings etc.) £20.00 £20.00 (1) Travelling costs £15.00 £15.00 ======== £93.00 (NA) ========
The above does not take into consideration PCBs, developer etc. It appears cost effective to buy the UV 202E kit from Rapid for an approximate £35 extra. The above also does not take into account stress and rushing about. I could have the kit on this coming Tuesday after the Easter bank holiday weekend.
- Conclusion
------------- It will be more practical and straightforward to buy the complete kit for £129.54 (£110.25+VAT) item number 34-0690, from Rapid. At this early stage in my experiences with UV development it makes sense to buy a prepared kit with instructions where it is all there for you from the moment go.
Having spoken to my Mother who knows everything her comment is, "You're just like your bloody Grandfather, you'd lick a farthing out of a turd." In other words, buy the kit. "