Electro chem etch stencil

T

TJ Smith

Joined
Sep 17, 1999
Messages
863
AS long as these systems have been around I am wondering if anyone has a substitute for the developer used to wash or desolve the unexposed film away to expose the screen??
I can expose the film ok but can't seem to get rid of the unexposed portion.
I expose for 2min 30 sec. and wash for 4.
I get a almost white image with sharp edges.
i am using IMGs developer.
HELP
TJ
 
I make my own stencils w/o any problems. How are you washing them out after developing. I put them under a warm water stream in the sink and let the water play directly onto the developed area and mildly rub them w/ my fingers at the same time. Works for me.
 
Hey TJ, I've had the same problem that you are having, and I've found that the problem is that the stencil has been over exposed.

Even thought it looks like the stencil is developed, if it's over exposed, then that last little bit which you can not see will keep the stencil from working. I believe that when the stencil is over exposed the light or heat kind of creeps in to the area which is protected.

I had this problem recently when I developed a very small stencil for a folder blade. This stencil was about 1/2 of the size of the ones I had been using, and I had to back my time down from 2:45 to about 2:15.

Every developer box and lighting combination could give different results. If you are exposing your stencil for 2:30, I would back it off to about 2:00 and see how it comes out. Give that a try and see if it helps.

By the way, I usually develop my stencils for around 10 minutes. I swish the stencil around in the solution and rub it with my fingers every 3 minutes. I'm using the IMG system also.

Hope this helps. -chris

__________________
Chris Crawford Knives

 
Thanks guys
I finally got one to turn outI don.t think they are over exposed as the temp in my shop is around 45.
I am going to try warming the developer a little.
Just hoping someone has found a home recipe for the developer so I can make my own.
Thanks again
TJ
 
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