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How to remove the copper layer/film from a PCB ???

Hi ... do you know, how to remove the copper layer from a PCB - by not using any ETCHING METHOD. Just to separate the cooper from plastic/f.glass ???

Do you think, that HEAT would do the trick ??? Like when you hold soldering tip to long on a pcb, it can happen that the cooper film become loose from the PCB.

Thank you in advance.

Zholy

P.S. : The reason, why I asked = I was thinking of creating/extending a "ribbon cable" :
1. remove the copper film
2. stick it to the foil, that you can laminate
3. put the "ribbon cable pattern" on the film and ETCH it.
4. laminate it ... and cut the just the top of the laminate foil at the ends, so you have clear cooper for the contacts, but the bottom laminate film as a support.


9 answers
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Dec 19, 2009. 2:08 PMsteveastrouk says:
Buy flexible PCB material ? You can get small pieces off Ebay/
Dec 19, 2009. 2:12 PMseandogue says:
yup. that's what I'd do. stripping useful lengths of copper foil from FR4 is a royal pain. I've done it and it's usually not worth the trouble.
Dec 19, 2009. 2:29 PMsteveastrouk says:
You COULD get selfadhesive copper foil from a craft shop, its used to make stained glass effects.

Steve
Dec 20, 2009. 4:24 AMJayefuu says:
I have some I got for a project. Cheap off ebay! The craft shops I went to all wanted £5 a roll.

Linky
Dec 19, 2009. 3:34 PMseandogue says:
Or...now that I think of it, one of those circuit repair kits, although I can't remember if they include track material as well as pads...
Dec 20, 2009. 3:32 AMsteveastrouk says:
Do they still exist ? I haven't seen them for years !
Dec 20, 2009. 7:31 AMseandogue says:
I think so. it's too early (sorta) for me to care to perform a search, since I can't recall the mfg. As long as people keep making thruhole, People still have to repair pads
Dec 19, 2009. 4:09 PMRavingMadStudios says:
I have no idea if this would work, but what about dissolving the PCB away from the copper with an epoxy solvent? Even if it works, it sounds like way more trouble than it's worth, when you can just buy copper foil instead.
Dec 19, 2009. 2:03 PMlemonie says:
You can use a sharp-knife. Other than that, maybe aggressive-paint-stripper. Try a DCM-Methanol mix (in a well-ventilated area) or strong caustic-soda (lye) with much care.

L

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