PCB Milling - Alternative to Protoboard and Chemical Etching

RE: PCB Milling - Alternative to Protoboard and Chemical Etching

phoenixcomm — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 21:28:49 GMT

nicely done.

RE: PCB Milling - Alternative to Protoboard and Chemical Etching

dubbie — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:42:04 GMT

Sean,

This was very helpful. I have toyed with the idea of getting a CNC milling machine for some years but without experience of them I just ummmed and ahhhed. This CNC 3018 looks a good possibility for my simpler needs. All I need now is £180. I wonder if I put it on my wish list Santa would bring me one for Christmas.

Dubbie

RE: PCB Milling - Alternative to Protoboard and Chemical Etching

DAB — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 19:31:35 GMT

Very good post showing what is possible with the current technology.

DAB

RE: PCB Milling - Alternative to Protoboard and Chemical Etching

14rhb — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:15:50 GMT

A great blog detailing the process stages. I have wanted one of these little CNC for some time but never took the plunge (sorry) however your results seem very rewarding. I'd be interested to know how long the bits last - I guess the the PCB board rather than copper layer is the issue for wearing it down. Another thing of interest would be the accuracy in alignment to produce a dual sided PCB. Maybe routing one side and then drilling would allow those drill hoes to act as registers when aligning the other side? Overall it seems like a nice quick way to produce a PCB, ideal for development work, plus many other benefits like enclosure engraving and miniature furniture.

RE: PCB Milling - Alternative to Protoboard and Chemical Etching

ralphjy — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:41:46 GMT

Nice write-up. I have a 3018 that's currently configured with a laser. I'll give this a try later, but I've got way too much going on in my life at the moment.

I'm going to try milling, i.e., your blended approach sounds interesting but I probably won't use this for anything complex. Next you'll want to do soldermask [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-c75575ff-4676-42f6-b6c3-e6ba6eb6eb02/contentimage_5F00_938.png:16:16].

RE: PCB Milling - Alternative to Protoboard and Chemical Etching

neilk — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:21:30 GMT

Hi Sean

Great post. I now have to add a similar device to my wish list.

I played briefly with Ferric Chloride many many years ago and have no desire to repeat that game!

For some reason, I find myself afraid to design a PCB and send the design to a 3rd party for fabrication. It's totally irrational and I can't explain it!!

With its myriad of other applications, this looks like a great idea.

Thanks for posting.

Neil

RE: PCB Milling - Alternative to Protoboard and Chemical Etching

dwinhold — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 13:58:01 GMT

I'm in the middle of changing my laser CNC over to a spindle 3 axis CNC. It will be able to use both laser and spindle once done. I am looking forward to making my own PCB's.

Dale