Monday, October 14, 2024
Hello Hackaday Peeps! Here's why I'm doing this.
The blog has been spotted on Hackaday, so a TL;DR:
Why do this?
I'm positioning a probe with micron precision for a teeny micron-scale 3D printer called RepRapMicron. Float glass is a pretty darn flat work surface, but I need a Z touch probe and glass microscope slides do not conduct.
Why tin oxide?
I need a thin-film technique that is accessible to as many hackers as possible. Silvering is excellent, but tarnishes. Conductive tape is too thick, so are paint-on solutions, graphite etc. I do not need high conductivity so futzing around with vacuum chambers and wires is not necessary. I hope.
Why not just buy tin chloride?
Historically, New Zealand has had problems with people making illicit substances because it's so isolated. Shipping is a nightmare. So buying chemicals and lab equipment can be problematic. Plus, I don't imagine NZ is unique in that regard. But if you can get it, fine, buy it.
We do these things not because they are easy, but because we thought they would be easy.
