1. Printing the Circuit
Select the Print workflow
Download the following Gerber file for this step:
Select the Print workflow.
Click Simple.
Select your Ink.
Click “Choose file”
Load the Voltage Regulator Gerber file.
Wait for the circuit to load.
Click Next.
Mount the probe
Mount the probe by placing the lower magnets first, and then allowing the top magnets to connect to the rails. The contact pads at the back of the probe should be aligned with the probe contact pins on the carriage.
Don't remove the Probe or Dispensers unless prompted by the Software! If you need to do so for any reason, click the home button to re-calibrate before proceeding.
Position the circuit
In this step, V-One will ensure that there is a clear print area on the clamped board. The probe tip will outline the boundary of the area to be printed. If the probe outline doesn't fall within the board boundaries, click and drag the circuit to adjust the position and outline again.
You can also press the “rotate” 90-degree button to turn the whole file in 90-degree increments if you’ve put your board vertically.
Once satisfied with the position of the circuit, proceed to the next step.
Probe the board
V-One will now automatically generate a height map of the board’s surface. This height map is essential for quality printing. Click Probe and wait for V-One to complete probing. All the probe points will turn blue once finished.
If you need to move the board for any reason after this step, you must return and RE-PROBE.
Assemble the dispenser
Be sure the dispenser’s plunger is fully retracted before assembling. If the plunger is too far out, it can push ink out during assembly.
Remove the coloured cap and lid from the ink cartridge.
Carefully twist the nozzle onto the end of the cartridge.
Insert the conductive ink cartridge into the sheath with the ink level visible through the viewing window.
Reinsert the dispensing unit back into the cartridge sheath, twisting 90° to lock it in place.
Prime the dispenser
Priming the conductor is important to confirm good ink flow before dispensing.
Slowly turn the gear counterclockwise until you feel resistance (this is the dispensing plunger hitting the ink).
Keep turning until you push a tiny amount of ink out of the nozzle.
Rotate the gear ¼ turn clockwise to stop the flow of ink.
Wait until the ink stops leaking from the nozzle and gently wipe the nozzle clean.
Mount the dispenser on the carriage.
Calibrate material
Calibrating the conductor will determine the resolution of your print, so pay close attention to this step and take your time!
Click CALIBRATE to print the calibration pattern.
Use the curved lines to make sure enough ink is coming out. Then, adjust the horizontal lines so they are not touching – even a small gap is enough!
You can adjust the width of the printed lines while printing by controlling the amount of ink dispensed with the + and - buttons:
The + button dispenses more ink by a tiny amount. It will make the lines thicker.
The - button dispenses less ink by a tiny amount. It will make the lines thinner.
Baking
The V-One gets hot! Do not touch the printer while it's glowing red.
Your circuit is printed, but we can’t do much with wet ink… that’s what baking is for! We are about to dry the conductive ink. Remove the conductive ink dispenser from the carriage. Cap the dispenser, and store it in a refrigerator.
Now when you are ready press the START button to begin baking.
When you are ready to assemble your circuit, continue to the next page where we lead you through the V-One solder paste and reflow features.
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