a) New member; b) is there any "copper ink" for the creation of PCBs ?

[PCBaby]

Greetings. I'm new to this forum ...and to basic electronics also. Thanks in advance for your patience, then :-)

My first question is probably quite naïve, but I didn't find the answer yet: I always saw that we create PCBs by way of erasing (and wasting) the part of the copper layer we don't use ...instead of just writing the lines we do. Are there 3D printers e.g. (or normal printers for that matter) that can spit the final product using "copper ink" ?

[naragon1]

Welcome. There are several "solutions" like this out in the market. The Amp Hour Podcast did an episode on this type of solution - I believe it was #260.

http://cartesianco.com/
http://voltera.io/
http://www.voxel8.co/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1597902824/agic-print-printing-circuit-boards-with-home-print

Haven't used any of them ... so I can't provide feedback or recommendation on any specific one.

[PCBaby]

@Naragon.

Many thanks for your answer! Those are interesting solutions indeed, although quite expensive ones. "Cost the skin of the butts", as we say here 

I saw that one of the problems seems to be that the conductivity of the ink is not as good as copper's, and even seems to worsen with time. One thing I'll try, then (provided I can find indelible ink) would be to reinforce the lines written by the printer with simple copper-to-PCB electrolysis . This will (hopefully) create  an additional layer providing better conductivity.

A beginner's dream, probably  but I'd like to give it a try if I find the necessary ingredients.

Temporary bridges would obviously have to be inserted between the various lines in order to expose all to the electrolysis etc.etc.

[f5r5e5d]

pro pcb fabs use various combinations of additive processes and/or very thin Cu foil, build up full copper trace by electrolysis

but there are some places roll annealed Cu foil is superior and big pcb places will be recycling the etched Cu


for small, simple home fab the foil already laminated to the glass-epoxy is easy to work with


but given the time, trial and error, special equipment, space required to become a "home pcb fab hobbyist" and home chemical waste disposal headaches

I highly recommend 1st world hobbyists to send out to the many low volume/quickturn pcb fab services that exist - get a pro product, plated thru holes, and have an expectation that environmental regs are followed