Talk:Automated Circuitry Making

Just a quick idea perhaps naive idea: would it not be possible to lay out standard (thin and flexible) cables with some kind of toolhead with a cable cutter and a mechanism for (temporary) attachment (perhaps melt some of the cable insulation into the part, or some kind of stapler, but that'd propably put too much force on the reprap). If it'd work it could also be used to create parts with integrated circuitry without the problem of incompatible melting tempratures etc, though it might become a bit too complex mechanically...

Just a thought.

It's been discussed to some degree.

An example currently being developed: SpoolHead

Primarily the things to over come are proper placement, and assurance that the wire does not create a short-circuit. This would be easier with a wire that :has it's own insulation, but if you're working at high temperatures, you risk melting the insulation. The thoughts I've had on the matter have involved :laying stranded wire into a channel and laying plastic over it as you go.

--User:SirCastor

Another naive idea: Does anyone know if metallic ink Sharpies could be used to lay down circuits? I was thinking if the dried ink were conductive enough, and if the ink would not erode under soldering conditions, perhaps mounting a fine point metallic sharpie in some sort of spring loaded holder could work to draw circuits with.[1]

Isn't graphite also conductive?