Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 492 subscribers
  • Views 754 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

CNC mill for PCB building

Catwell

I have a CNC mill I would like to use in PCB building. What can I easily do with it right away?

 

I assume I can cut, etch, and even component place with it. Any one do something with a CNC mill in this vein?

 

Cabe

Parents

  • Hi Cabe,

     

    Hope you are doing well.

     

    If you use EAGLE, there are a few ULPs that will export your board files as G-code format, readily useable by most CNC machines. If you have a board design ready you can produce it in minutes with your CNC machine. The ULPs are:

     

    fastgcode.zip

    gcode-1.zip

    pcb-gcode-3.3.2.zip

     

    If you want to give a quick test download the freeware version from www.cadsoftusa.com, make a small board and export it to see how well your CNC machine works. If one of the ULPs doesn't work try another one, I've heard several customers use them with success.

     

    Check out this youtube video, that way you can see how the process works.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEQsAi_eRAI

     

    I hope you have fun and that it works well.

     

    Best Regards,

     

    Jorge Garcia

    Cadsoft Computer

  • in reply to Jorge_Garcia

    With the CNC machine Ben builds in his video, would it possible to make PCBs with thing traces like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19jMzr9X-QQ ?  What bit would you use to achieve the same level of tight tolerances?

     

    Also, is there a way to convert board outlines in Eagle into gcode for cutting around the board outline but leave small tabs so that when everything is done, the finished PCB can be snapped from the larger PCB sheet?

  • in reply to Former Member

    Hi Wookie,

     

    See the earlier post to Cabe, with the names of the appropriate ULPs for generating GCODE. Those should be able to get you on the right track.

     

    The small tabs have to be drawn onto the board layout, possibly using a non copper layer(such as 46 milling) to define the tabs. I don't have experience with this operation by myself, but this should at least get you on the right track.

     

    Best Regards,

    Jorge Garcia

  • in reply to Jorge_Garcia

    My job's "model shop" can cut single layer circuits out of Pyralux and Kapton made by Dupont, a thin and flexible circuit board option, in a few minutes.

     

    What they do is simply to mill away all the copper that isn't part of the circuit. The copper layer is only a few millionths thick, so precise zeroing is key. I am planning to give this type of circuit printing a try.

     

    If anyone else has worked with this before, let me know some tips and tricks.

     

    Here is an example of this "Flex-Board".

    image

    Cabe

Reply
  • in reply to Jorge_Garcia

    My job's "model shop" can cut single layer circuits out of Pyralux and Kapton made by Dupont, a thin and flexible circuit board option, in a few minutes.

     

    What they do is simply to mill away all the copper that isn't part of the circuit. The copper layer is only a few millionths thick, so precise zeroing is key. I am planning to give this type of circuit printing a try.

     

    If anyone else has worked with this before, let me know some tips and tricks.

     

    Here is an example of this "Flex-Board".

    image

    Cabe

Children
No Data