Making nameplates

With Autocad there is a setting to control if text is mirrored or not when using the 'mirror' command on objects.

On the command line type MIRRTEXT and change the value shown, that will then allow the text to be mirrored. Change it backl to prevent mirroring.

IIRC value 0 gives No Mirroring and value 1 Mirrors the text as well as the object.

Michael

Hi that looks very good . I'm finding the resist comes off in the etching. What did you use to etch it please? Will the laminator take very small pieces of brass sheet?

In reply to the other post about Autocad, unfortunately we no longer have the software. As you probably know you now have to pay a hefty monthly subscription to get it. I was using only what was available for free.

Hi Russell, that looks a really good result. I'm still having problems with the resist coming off in the etch. I am electro etching, what did you use please? I have been trying to laminate it with a domestic iron but I find the stuff blisters if you have it only slightly too hot. Cooler and it doesn't stick well enough and comes off when etching. The first one I did worked fine- beginner's luck! Please could you tell me what seller you got your dry film from. Maybe there are different qualities? I'd buy a laminator but Lidl don't have them at the moment and the next time they do they could easily have changed the model.

Hi John

The film I used was Mungolux

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Photopolymer-Film-Photo-Resist-Dry-Film-Photoresist-for-etching-pcb-gravure/262473322396?hash=item3d1ca10f9c:m:mLOaDla06VixMKAwTwhq5QQ&frcectupt=true

I cleaned the brass first with hot water and detergent to remove any grease then with fine wet and dry paper and water to remove any oxide (not sure if that is really necessary). I sprayed the brass with a fine mist of water before pressing the film in place, carefully removing all the water by rubbing the film with a soft cloth. I have had success on smaller parts using a domestic iron ironing it through brown parcel paper, but a laminator is more reliable. I guess small parts could be stuck to a sheet of paper with double sided tape to make them easier to feed.

Etched in a warm ferric chloride solution with the dial upside down on spacers so that any residue could fall out of the etched area. Occasional agitation and inspection was done to make sure all was going well.

Hope that helps.

Russell

Thanks Russell that's really helpful.

Edited By Diane Carney on 15/03/2019 13:59:19

Edited By Diane Carney on 15/03/2019 13:59:45