The Resolution
The Argentum natively prints images at 300DPI which is enhanced to 600DPI using some clever software wizardry.
This means you will be able print footprints as fine as TSSOP (0.65mm pitch) on our treated G10 substrate and SOIC (0.8mm pitch) on all our other materials including polyimide, linen paper, stone paper and more.
The Speed
Traditional circuit board design is a very time consuming task. Everything from designing an initial circuit, to breadboard prototyping, PCB manufacture and an iteration process that can take weeks or months eats away at progress toward the final product.
With the Argentum Desktop Electronics Printer, users are able to design circuits with the software they are already familiar with, export and print a board in minutes, then test and assemble their designs the same day. With this ability the process to iterate a board design has never been faster saving you time and keeping you ahead of the competition.
Printing circuits this fast opens up a world of opportunities for Education too.
With Argentum students can print and assemble and test a circuit board in the course of a 2 hour Lab session and without the hassle of hazardous chemicals.
The Soldering
Circuits printed with the Argentum on rigid G10, flexible polyimide and even paper can be reflow soldered just like a conventional circuit board using the same hot plate, reflow oven and hot air gun you usually use to assemble boards. You can even use the same old regular leaded solder paste you usually use!
Circuits printed on G10, polyimide and paper can also be hand soldered. This does take slightly more skill, and needs to be done quickly to avoid damaging the silver traces but is definitely possible.
The Savings
You might be thinking, a circuit made out of silver! Thats got to be expensive…. Actually printing a circuit on the Argentum is cheaper than making the same board using conventional techniques, not to mention more environmentally friendly. An average board 3in x 3in would cost between US$2-4 to print depending on the material being printed on and the coverage needed.
With a circuit board made using a subtractive, etching technique all the copper that’s not needed for the circuit is removed. This means you waste a lot of copper and time. The Argentum only prints silver where it’s needed, meaning you use a lot, lot less of it. It’s more environmentally friendly, and cheaper.