There will be additional wear and tear but one has to set that in proportion to missed business volume. Just like a construction company won't keep their bulldozers out of the rain because they might become dirty.
places like allpcb will do 10x 50*50mm 2layers in 24hours plus 3-4days DHL shipping for $5 including shipping..
In the three years I was at my PPoE and the six years I've been at my CPoE, I don't think either machine was ever used. They're too much of a PITA to bother with. As JL pointed out, they're really only good for single-sided boards. Double-sided material exists but without plated holes, the utility is limited. Without plated holes, pads tend to delaminate, too. Of course, multi-layer is out of the question. IOW, there's a reason they weren't used. Most of the work is in layout, so once that's done it's a simple matter to get prototypes, if that's the way one wants to go. Usually, dead-bug is just easier.
When I was in college, we had a lathe that cut PCBs from a (white) paper / (black) tape layout. We would glue two of these back-to-back for two-layer boards. Things were a lot less dense in the '70s and PCBs a lot more expensive, fortysomething years ago.
Thanks, They will last a long time if you don't use them. :^)
George H.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required