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Desktop PCB Printer
Desktop PCB Printer
PewCB is a desktop PCB printer. It produces PCB prototypes in just minutes, no muss, no fuss. A high-power pulsed laser inside the machine forms the traces by selectively removing copper and solder mask from special ceramic blanks.
We designed PewCB to be a clean machine that lives right on your desk. Fumes, dust and noise are trapped inside, the only thing it lets out is a finished board.
How It Works
Design a PCB in your favorite eCAD software
1
Export the design in Gerber format
2
Open your Gerbers in PewCB app
3
Insert the blank into the sliding tray and click Run
4
Have a cuppa while the machine goes pew-pew
5
Pick the freshly lasered board out
6
Accuracy & repeatability
PewCB has a special lens and a pair of electromechanically controlled mirrors to steer the focused beam across the working area with a high velocity.
To ensure positional accuracy and compensate for optical distortions, PewCB uses a patented calibration system with an array of photosensors measuring the exact position of the beam across the whole working area. The procedure is fully automated and takes just a few seconds before each job, ensuring positional deviation of less than 30 um between runs.
30 um repeatability
The lens can focus the laser into a spot of about 35 um in diameter, which allows the machine to reproduce the design features with outstanding level of detail.
As a result, flawless 0.1 mm traces and 0.1 mm gaps are easily achievable.
As a result, flawless 0.1 mm traces and 0.1 mm gaps are easily achievable.
Blanks
To short-cut some of the usual steps of traditional PCB manufacturing and save time and labor, we provide pre-fabricated blanks of varying sizes and material properties.
The blanks have dual-row through-hole breakout headers that you can use to place connectors or mount through-hole parts.
Arbitrary outlines can be cut in the substrate if dictated by your design, however it may take a bit more time to process
The blanks have dual-row through-hole breakout headers that you can use to place connectors or mount through-hole parts.
Arbitrary outlines can be cut in the substrate if dictated by your design, however it may take a bit more time to process
Double sided PCBs
Producing double-sided boards with plated through-hole vias has always been a challenging task for most prototyping technologies.
But not for ours. We provide the following options:
But not for ours. We provide the following options:
Pre-fabricated vias
Eyelets
The blanks are initially covered by a grid of vias. To route a signal to the opposite board side, traces are routed to the nearest via on both sides. Blank templates of each size are available for all popular eCAD applications.
This method is convenient, fast and does not require any additional production steps, however it may impose limits on design flexibility.
This method is convenient, fast and does not require any additional production steps, however it may impose limits on design flexibility.
If pre-fabricated vias are insufficient, the alternative solution is to add through-holes in the substrate and then manually fill them with special copper eyelets to complete the electrical interconnection.
The eyelets and necessary tools are available separately.
The eyelets and necessary tools are available separately.
Solder paste stencils
We developed a novel approach to aid in reflow soldering process: after the board is done, stick the adhesive stencil sheet on top and put it back into the machine. Solder pads will be revealed for you to apply solder paste as usual.
This method results in a perfect alignment, no more clunky jigs or manual aiming. The stencil is discarded after single use, however for one-off boards it cuts off precious minutes to a finished sample.
Safe and clean process
We designed PewCB to be a safe and clean device that would not bother you with odors and fumes. The device is sealed tightly when active, trapping the nasties inside.
Air is recirculated through a 2-step filter: an activated carbon block absorbs the gaseous by-products while the HEPA layer filters out any particulate waste. The denser pulverized copper dust accumulates in the tray and can be easily emptied by a vacuum cleaner once in a while.
Air is recirculated through a 2-step filter: an activated carbon block absorbs the gaseous by-products while the HEPA layer filters out any particulate waste. The denser pulverized copper dust accumulates in the tray and can be easily emptied by a vacuum cleaner once in a while.
Laser safety
Device enclosure prevents any chance of hazardous eye or skin exposure to high-power laser radiation or any secondary UV and visible emissions during operation.
Additional measures are taken: the laser would not turn on while the tray is out, so you would not even need to wear safety glasses.
Laser safety class: Class 0
no exposure
Other potential environment disturbances are also addressed. Unlike some other machinery that requires a separate workshop, PewCB would live happily right on the desk in any setting:
zero chemicals
minimal noise
no vibrations
Maker space
R&D office
Classroom
Specification
Parameter
Value
Laser wavelength
1064 nm
Laser power
20 W
Laser pulse length
~100 ns
Laser spot size
35 um
Laser safety class
Class 0
(no exposure)
(no exposure)
Supported blank materials
Alumina, zirconia
Min blank size
15.24 x 15.24 mm
Max blank size
76.2 x 76.2 mm
Supported blank size
1 x 1, 1 x 2, 1 x 3, 1 x 4, 1 x 5,
2 x 2, 2 x 3, 2 x 4, 2 x 5,
3 x 3, 3 x 4, 3 x 5,
4 x 4, 4 x 5,
5 x 5 units*
*1 unit = 15.24 mm
2 x 2, 2 x 3, 2 x 4, 2 x 5,
3 x 3, 3 x 4, 3 x 5,
4 x 4, 4 x 5,
5 x 5 units*
*1 unit = 15.24 mm
Connectivity
USB Type-B
Supply
220 V, 50 Hz
Power draw
200 W
Size
155 x 295 x 449 mm
Weight
7 kg
Who we are
Who we are
The team members have extensive experience in electronics development and have been working together in hardware startups for over 10 years (Antilatency, Illumetry) where over 100 devices have been developed.
The team has a deep understanding of the challenges and pain points in electronics development. The PewCB product emerged as a response to the internal needs for electronics prototyping.
10
years
100
devices
We have tried various prototyping methods, including:
As a result, the team has invested in developing hardware and software to create the PewCB product.
Toner transfer method;
PCB CNC milling;
Standard laser engrave: lacks essential features for PCB prototyping as it was not designed for this specific purpose.
PCB CNC milling;
Standard laser engrave: lacks essential features for PCB prototyping as it was not designed for this specific purpose.